Kia K4 vs Toyota Corolla: cost to own

Verdict, over 6 years

The Toyota Corolla costs about $4,974 less

That's $69 a month. Closest matching trims: same fuel and drive where possible.

K4 LX$920/moTrue cost

Corolla L CVT✓ $851/moTrue cost

2026 Kia K4

Closest matching trim: K4 LX

Sticker (MSRP)$24,295

+$6,299→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$30,594

+ running costs→↓− $11,905 resale

True cost$920/moA month to own, after resale

2026 Toyota Corolla

Closest matching trim: Corolla L CVT

Sticker (MSRP)$25,020

+$6,544→↓Freight, fees, HST

Drive away$31,564

+ running costs→↓− $15,727 resale

True cost$851/moA month to own, after resale

Line by line


Price
Sticker (MSRP)	✓ $24,295	$25,020	K4 by $725
Freight and fees, before tax	✓ $2,780	$2,913	K4 by $133
Sales tax (HST)	✓ $3,520	$3,631	K4 by $111
Drive-away price	✓ $30,594	$31,564	K4 by $970
Running costs, 6 years
Fuel or charging	$11,885	✓ $11,216	Corolla by $669
Insurance (estimate)	$17,025	✓ $14,319	Corolla by $2,706
Maintenance (estimate)	✓ $6,518	$7,380	K4 by $862
Loan rate	6.5%	6.5%	—
Loan interest	✓ $5,383	$5,587	K4 by $204
Lost return on your money	✓ $6,638	$6,825	K4 by $187
Resale after 6 yrs	−$11,905	✓ −$15,727	Corolla by $3,822
Total
True cost	$66,230	✓ $61,256	Corolla by $4,974
True cost a month	$920/mo	✓ $851/mo	Corolla by $69
You pay each month	$924/mo	✓ $905/mo	Corolla by $19
Practical
Fuel type	Gas	Gas	—
Seats	5	5	—
Carry-ons, 2 people	3	3	—
Cargo behind row 2, litres	✓ 413	371	—
Length	4.71 m	4.63 m	—
Ground clearance	✓ 14 cm	13 cm	—
Resale % after 6 yrs	49%	✓ 63%	—
US crash test	5★	5★	—

Price

Sticker (MSRP)

K4 LX ✓ $24,295Corolla L CVT $25,020Cheaper by K4 by $725

Freight and fees, before tax

K4 LX ✓ $2,780Corolla L CVT $2,913Cheaper by K4 by $133

Sales tax (HST)

K4 LX ✓ $3,520Corolla L CVT $3,631Cheaper by K4 by $111

Drive-away price

K4 LX ✓ $30,594Corolla L CVT $31,564Cheaper by K4 by $970

Running costs, 6 years

Fuel or charging

K4 LX $11,885Corolla L CVT ✓ $11,216Cheaper by Corolla by $669

Insurance (estimate)

K4 LX $17,025Corolla L CVT ✓ $14,319Cheaper by Corolla by $2,706

Maintenance (estimate)

K4 LX ✓ $6,518Corolla L CVT $7,380Cheaper by K4 by $862

Loan rate

K4 LX 6.5%Corolla L CVT 6.5%Cheaper by —

Loan interest

K4 LX ✓ $5,383Corolla L CVT $5,587Cheaper by K4 by $204

Lost return on your money

K4 LX ✓ $6,638Corolla L CVT $6,825Cheaper by K4 by $187

Resale after 6 yrs

K4 LX −$11,905Corolla L CVT ✓ −$15,727Cheaper by Corolla by $3,822

Total

True cost

K4 LX $66,230Corolla L CVT ✓ $61,256Cheaper by Corolla by $4,974

True cost a month

K4 LX $920/moCorolla L CVT ✓ $851/moCheaper by Corolla by $69

You pay each month

K4 LX $924/moCorolla L CVT ✓ $905/moCheaper by Corolla by $19

Practical

Fuel type

K4 LX GasCorolla L CVT GasCheaper by —

Seats

K4 LX 5Corolla L CVT 5Cheaper by —

Carry-ons, 2 people

K4 LX 3Corolla L CVT 3Cheaper by —

Cargo behind row 2, litres

K4 LX ✓ 413Corolla L CVT 371Cheaper by —

Length

K4 LX 4.71 mCorolla L CVT 4.63 mCheaper by —

Ground clearance

K4 LX ✓ 14 cmCorolla L CVT 13 cmCheaper by —

Resale % after 6 yrs

K4 LX 49%Corolla L CVT ✓ 63%Cheaper by —

US crash test

K4 LX 5★Corolla L CVT 5★Cheaper by —

✓ marks the better figure. Resale is from used prices: the K4 typical for its type and brand, the Corolla from its own. Their stickers differ by $725.