2025 Kia K5 vs 2025 Nissan Kicks Play

$27,190 · Sedan

$21,520 · Hatchback

Comparison Overview

The primary numerical divergence between the 2025 Kia K5 and the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play is the $5,670 difference in Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), with the Kicks starting at $21,520 versus the K5's $27,190. This price gap correlates directly with significant performance disparities; the K5 produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, substantially outclassing the Kicks' 122 hp and 114 lb-ft. However, the Kicks excels in utility, offering 25.3 cu ft of cargo capacity, while the K5 provides only 15.6 cu ft. Fuel economy leans toward the smaller crossover, achieving 33 combined MPG compared to the K5’s 30 combined MPG. Dimensionally, the Kicks is significantly taller at 63.3 inches versus the K5's 56.9 inches, reflecting its crossover stature against the K5 sedan platform.

Size Comparison

Performance

Fuel Efficiency

Full Specifications

Our Verdicts

🚗 Best for Commuters

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

The Nissan Kicks Play offers better fuel efficiency at 33 combined MPG and a lower initial cost for daily driving.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Best for Families

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

The Kicks Play provides substantially greater utility with 25.3 cu ft of cargo capacity compared to the K5's 15.6 cu ft.

🏎️ Best for Enthusiasts

2025 Kia K5

The Kia K5 is superior for performance driving, delivering 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque versus the Kicks' 122 hp.

💰 Best Value

2025 Nissan Kicks Play

The Nissan Kicks Play provides a significantly lower barrier to entry at $21,520 while maintaining superior fuel economy (33 combined MPG).

Choose the Kia K5 if...

You require significantly higher power, evidenced by the 191 hp output.
You prefer the stability and highway manners of a lower-slung sedan (Height: 56.9 inches).
You need the higher peak torque figure of 181 lb-ft for immediate acceleration response.

Choose the Nissan Kicks Play if...

Maximum cargo volume is essential, as the Kicks offers 25.3 cu ft.
Minimizing upfront expenditure is key, due to the $21,520 MSRP.
Optimal city mileage is prioritized, with the Kicks achieving 31 City MPG.

Key Dimensions

Dimension	Kia K5	Nissan Kicks Play
Length	193.1"	169.1"
Width	73.2"	69.3"
Height	56.9"	63.3"
Wheelbase	112.2"	103.1"

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	✓	✓
Rear Drum Brakes	—	✓
Rear Fixed Headrests	—	✓

Engine

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Base Engine Displacement	2.5 L	1.6 L
Number of Cylinders	inline 4	inline 4
Base Engine Type	gas	gas
Horsepower	191 hp @ 6100 rpm	122 hp @ 6300 rpm
Torque	181 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm	114 lb-ft @ 4000 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	31/36 MPG
EPA Fuel Economy (Combined)	30 MPG	33 MPG
EPA Driving Range (City/Highway)	410.8/584.6 mi.	334.8/388.8 mi.
Fuel Tank Capacity	15.8 gal.	10.8 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	—	✓
Single Zone Climate Control	—	✓
Interior Air Filtration	—	✓

In Car Entertainment

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Infotainment Display	12.3 in	7.0 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	—
Android Auto (Wired)	—	✓
Apple CarPlay (Wired)	—	✓
Auxiliary Audio Input	—	✓

Power Feature

Feature	Kia	Nissan
One-Touch Power Windows	1	2
Keyless Entry	✓	—
Heated Mirrors	✓	✓
Remote Keyless Entry	—	✓

Frontseats

Feature	Kia	Nissan
Front Head Room	40.2 in.	40.4 in.
Front Leg Room	46.1 in.	43.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room	58.0 in.	53.0 in.
Front Hip Room	56.6 in.	50.9 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.	38.5 in.
Rear Leg Room	35.2 in.	33.4 in.
Rear Shoulder Room	56.1 in.	53.2 in.
Rear Hip Room	56.6 in.	49.1 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 6.0 in.
Tire Type	All Season	All Season
Tire Size	P205/65R	P205/60R16
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	✓	—
Front Suspension Type	—	Independent
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 Kicks Play.

How much larger is the cargo space in the Nissan Kicks Play compared to the Kia K5?

The 2025 Nissan Kicks Play offers significantly more utility with 25.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity. This is substantially greater than the 15.6 cu ft available in the 2025 Kia K5 sedan.

Is the Kia K5 or the Nissan Kicks Play more powerful?

The 2025 Kia K5 is considerably more powerful, generating 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The 2025 Nissan Kicks Play is limited to 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque.

Which vehicle offers better fuel economy for city driving?

The Nissan Kicks Play is superior for city fuel efficiency, rated at 31 MPG in the city compared to the Kia K5's 26 MPG City rating. Overall, the Kicks achieves 33 combined MPG versus the K5's 30 combined MPG.

What is the price difference between these two models?

There is a notable $5,670 MSRP difference between the two vehicles. The base Kicks Play starts at $21,520, whereas the K5 sedan begins at $27,190.

How do the dimensions reflect their body styles?

The Kia K5, a sedan, is longer at 193.1 inches but lower at 56.9 inches high. The Nissan Kicks Play, a hatchback/crossover, is shorter (169.1 inches) but noticeably taller at 63.3 inches.

Do both vehicles use a conventional automatic transmission?

No, the 2025 Kia K5 utilizes an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In contrast, the 2025 Nissan Kicks Play is equipped with a continuously variable-speed automatic (CVT).