2025 Kia K5 vs 2025 Nissan Altima

$27,190 · Sedan

$27,000 · Sedan

Comparison Overview

The 2025 Kia K5 and 2025 Nissan Altima present a closely matched battle, distinguishable primarily by fuel economy versus outright power. The Altima leads in efficiency, achieving a 32 MPG combined rating compared to the K5's 30 MPG combined, translating to 2 more miles per gallon on both city and highway cycles (27/39 MPG vs. 26/37 MPG). However, the K5 extracts slightly more performance from its engine, offering 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque, marginally exceeding the Altima’s 188 hp and 180 lb-ft. Dimensionally, the cars are nearly identical; the K5 is 0.2 inches longer (193.1 inches) and offers a marginal 0.2 cubic feet more cargo space at 15.6 cu ft. The MSRPs are practically tied at $27,190 for the K5 and $27,000 for the Altima, making efficiency the primary deciding factor for most drivers.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima is the superior choice for daily commuting due to its superior efficiency rating of 32 MPG combined versus the K5's 30 MPG.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Kia K5

The Kia K5 is marginally better for families because it offers a slightly larger maximum cargo capacity of 15.6 cubic feet compared to the Altima's 15.4 cubic feet.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia K5

The Kia K5 appeals more to driving enthusiasts by producing 3 more horsepower (191 hp) and 1 more lb-ft of torque (181 lb-ft).

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima presents slightly better value by being $190 cheaper at an MSRP of $27,000 while offering better fuel economy.

Choose the Kia K5 if...

You prioritize slightly higher peak output, as the K5 generates 191 horsepower.
You prefer the traditional feel of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission over a CVT.
You need the maximum available storage, with the K5 offering 15.6 cubic feet of cargo space.

Choose the Nissan Altima if...

Fuel economy is critical, as the Altima achieves a 32 MPG combined rating versus the K5's 30 MPG.
You are looking for the absolute lowest entry price, with the Altima's MSRP being $27,000.
You prefer the efficiency characteristics of a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia K5	Nissan Altima
Length	193.1"	192.9"
Width	73.2"	72.9"
Height	56.9"	56.7"
Wheelbase	112.2"	111.2"

Features Comparison

Safety

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Blind Spot Monitor	✓	✓
Lane Departure Warning	✓	✓
Lane Keeping Assist System	✓	—
Rear Cross Traffic Alert	✓	✓
Driver Attention Alert	✓	✓
Pre-Collision Safety System	✓	✓
Post-Collision Safety System	✓	—
Dual Front Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Dual Rear Side-Mounted Airbags	✓	✓
Front Head Airbags	✓	✓
Rear Head Airbags	✓	✓
Passenger Airbag Occupant Sensing Deactivation	✓	✓
Electronic Stability Control	✓	✓
Traction Control System	✓	✓
LATCH System	✓	✓
Rear Door Child Safety Locks	✓	✓
Anti-lock Brakes (ABS)	4-Wheel	4-Wheel
Front Ventilated Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Rear Solid Disc Brakes	✓	✓
Brake Assist	✓	✓
Tire Pressure Monitoring System	✓	✓
Automatic Headlights	✓	✓
LED Headlights	✓	—
Daytime Running Lights	✓	—
Front Headrests	2	2
Front Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	✓
Rear Headrests	3	3
Rear Height Adjustable Headrests	✓	—
Rear Center 3-Point Seatbelt	✓	✓
Anti-Theft Alarm System (Remote)	✓	✓
Engine Immobilizer	✓	✓
Brake Preparation System	—	✓
Headlight Delay-Off	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	2.5 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	188 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	180 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm
Number of Valves	16	16
Camshaft Type	Double overhead cam (DOHC)	Double overhead cam (DOHC)
Variable Valve Timing	Variable	Variable
Fuel Injection Type	✓	✓

Drive Train

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Transmission Type	8-speed shiftable automatic	continuously variable-speed automatic
Drivetrain Type	front wheel drive	front wheel drive

Fuel

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Fuel Type	regular unleaded	regular unleaded
EPA Fuel Economy (City/Highway)	26/37 MPG	27/39 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	32 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	410.8/584.6 mi.	437.4/631.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.8 gal.	16.2 gal.

Comfort & Convenience

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Push Button Start	✓	✓
Tilt and Telescopic Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Audio Controls on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Cruise Control on Steering Wheel	✓	✓
Electric Power Steering	✓	✓
Rear View Camera	✓	✓
Front Parking Sensors	✓	—
Rear Parking Sensors	✓	✓
Adaptive Cruise Control	✓	—
Front Cupholders	✓	✓
Rear Cupholders	✓	✓
Front Door Pockets	✓	✓
Rear Door Pockets	✓	✓
Front Seatback Storage	✓	✓
Dual Zone Climate Control	✓	—
Extended Cabin Heating/Cooling	✓	—
Dual Vanity Mirrors	✓	✓
Cruise Control	—	✓
Overhead Console with Storage	—	✓
Air Conditioning	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	8.0 in
AM/FM Stereo	✓	✓
Speaker System	6	6
Android Auto (Wireless)	✓	—
Apple CarPlay (Wireless)	✓	—
USB Port	✓	✓
USB Port with External Media Control	✓	✓
Satellite Radio	✓	✓
Satellite Radio Trial Period	3 months	3 months
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	1	1
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	39.1 in.
Front Leg Room	46.1 in.	43.8 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.0 in.	58.2 in.
Front Hip Room	56.6 in.	54.7 in.
Seat Material: Cloth	✓	✓
Front Seat Type: Bucket	✓	✓
Driver Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	6-way
Driver Seat Height Adjustment	✓	✓
Passenger Seat Manual Adjustments	6-way	4-way
Passenger Seat Height Adjustment	✓	—

Rearseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Rear Head Room	37.8 in.	36.9 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.2 in.	35.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.1 in.	57.1 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	54.5 in.
Split-Folding Rear Seatback	✓	✓
Folding Center Armrest	✓	✓

Tires and Wheels

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Wheel Finish	Painted Alloy	—
Wheel Size	16 x 6.5 in	16 x 7.0 in
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/65R	215/60R16
Spare Tire Type	Temporary	Temporary
Spare Tire Location	Inside Mounted	Inside Mounted
Wheel Material	—	Steel
Wheel Cover Type	—	Full

Suspension

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Four-Wheel Independent Suspension	✓	✓
Front Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓
Rear Stabilizer Bar	✓	✓

Warranty

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Basic Warranty	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain Warranty	10 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ 60000 mi.
Corrosion/Rust Warranty	5 yr./ 100000 mi.	5 yr./ unlimited mi.
Roadside Assistance	5 yr./ 60000 mi.	3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Complimentary Scheduled Maintenance	—	2 yr./ 24000 mi.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about comparing the 2025 Kia K5 and 2025 Nissan Altima.

Which sedan offers better fuel economy for long-distance driving?

The 2025 Nissan Altima provides better highway efficiency at 39 MPG compared to the Kia K5's 37 MPG. This 2 MPG difference on the highway results in a higher combined rating of 32 MPG for the Altima versus 30 MPG for the K5.

Is there a significant difference in power output between the two models?

The difference is minor, but the 2025 Kia K5 holds a slight edge, producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Nissan Altima trails marginally with 188 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque.

How do the base MSRPs compare for these front-wheel-drive models?

The pricing is nearly identical, positioning both vehicles as strong budget options. The 2025 Nissan Altima has an MSRP of $27,000, while the 2025 Kia K5 is priced slightly higher at $27,190.

Are there notable differences in physical dimensions or interior space?

The exterior dimensions are extremely close, with the K5 being fractionally longer at 193.1 inches versus the Altima's 192.9 inches. For cargo, the K5 offers 15.6 cubic feet, narrowly beating the Altima's 15.4 cubic feet.

What transmission type does each vehicle utilize?

The Kia K5 comes equipped with a conventional 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. Conversely, the Nissan Altima uses a continuously variable-speed automatic transmission (CVT) for its power delivery.