2025 Kia K5 vs 2025 Nissan Versa
Comparison Overview
Finding the perfect balance between budget and capability is always tough when shopping for a new sedan. If you are torn between saving nearly $10,000 upfront or getting significantly more power, this comparison between the 2025 Kia K5 and the 2025 Nissan Versa hits that dilemma head-on. The Versa is impressively affordable at $17,390, but the K5 immediately pulls ahead in performance with its 191 hp versus the Versa's 122 hp. While the K5 is physically larger (193.1 inches long versus 177.0 inches), both cars manage an identical 30 MPG combined, making fuel economy a draw. However, the K5's 181 lb-ft of torque and standard 8-speed automatic transmission offer a much more engaging drive than the Versa's manual option, justifying the higher $27,190 MSRP for those prioritizing road presence and highway merging ability.
Size Comparison
Performance
Fuel Efficiency
Full Specifications
Our Verdicts
2025 Kia K5
The Kia K5 offers superior highway passing power with 191 hp and an automatic transmission, making highway commuting less strenuous than the Versa's manual setup.
2025 Kia K5
The Kia K5 is the practical choice due to its larger exterior dimensions and slightly bigger 15.6 cu ft cargo capacity for strollers or gear.
2025 Kia K5
With 69 more horsepower and higher torque figures, the K5 delivers a distinctly more spirited and enjoyable driving experience.
2025 Nissan Versa
The Nissan Versa wins on pure upfront cost, saving buyers $9,800 while still achieving an excellent 30 MPG combined.
Choose the Kia K5 if...
- You frequently drive on the highway and need the extra reserve power from 191 hp for merging.
- You prefer the convenience and smoothness of an 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission.
- You require the marginally larger 15.6 cu ft of cargo space offered by the longer (193.1 inches) sedan.
Choose the Nissan Versa if...
- Your absolute top priority is minimizing the purchase price, leveraging the $17,390 MSRP.
- You are comfortable operating the standard 5-speed manual transmission.
- You prioritize a slightly taller seating position, as the Versa is 0.4 inches taller at 57.3 inches.
Key Dimensions
| Dimension | Kia K5 | Nissan Versa |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 193.1" | 177.0" |
| Width | 73.2" | 68.5" |
| Height | 56.9" | 57.3" |
| 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 | — | ✓ |
| Headlight Delay-Off | — | ✓ |
| 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 | 5-speed manual |
| 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 | 27/35 MPG |
| EPA Fuel Economy (Combined) | 30 MPG | 30 MPG |
| EPA Driving Range (City/Highway) | 410.8/584.6 mi. | 291.6/378.0 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 | 4 |
| Android Auto (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| Apple CarPlay (Wireless) | ✓ | — |
| USB Port | ✓ | ✓ |
| USB Port with External Media Control | ✓ | ✓ |
| Satellite Radio | ✓ | — |
| Satellite Radio Trial Period | 3 months | — |
| Auxiliary Audio Input | — | ✓ |
| Speed Sensitive Volume Control | — | ✓ |
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. | 39.5 in. |
| Front Leg Room | 46.1 in. | 44.5 in. |
| Front Shoulder Room | 58.0 in. | 53.1 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. | 36.3 in. |
| Rear Leg Room | 35.2 in. | 31.0 in. |
| Rear Shoulder Room | 56.1 in. | 53.6 in. |
| Rear Hip Room | 56.6 in. | 50.1 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 | — |
| Tire Type | All Season | All Season |
| Tire Size | P205/65R | P195/65R15 |
| Spare Tire Type | Temporary | Temporary |
| Spare Tire Location | Inside Mounted | Inside Mounted |
| Wheel Material | — | Steel |
| Wheel Cover Type | — | Full |
| Wheel Dimensions | — | 15 x 6.5 in |
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 Versa.
What is the biggest financial difference between the 2025 Kia K5 and the 2025 Nissan Versa?
The MSRP difference is substantial, with the Kia K5 starting at $27,190 while the Nissan Versa starts significantly lower at $17,390, representing a $9,800 saving for the Versa.
Do I sacrifice much fuel economy by choosing the more powerful Kia K5?
Surprisingly, no; both sedans achieve an identical 30 MPG combined rating. The K5 gets 26/37 MPG city/highway, closely matching the Versa's 27/35 MPG figures.
How much more powerful is the Kia K5 compared to the Nissan Versa?
The K5 boasts 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, which is substantially more than the Versa's output of 122 hp and 114 lb-ft of torque, giving the Kia a major performance advantage.
Which car is physically larger and offers more trunk space?
The 2025 Kia K5 is the larger vehicle, measuring 193.1 inches long compared to the Versa's 177.0 inches, which translates to slightly more cargo capacity at 15.6 cu ft versus 14.7 cu ft.
Does one of these vehicles require premium fuel?
Neither vehicle requires premium fuel; both the 2025 Kia K5 and the 2025 Nissan Versa are designed to run on regular unleaded gasoline.
If I like manual transmissions, which car suits me better?
The 2025 Nissan Versa comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission, offering drivers that engaging control, whereas the Kia K5 comes equipped exclusively with an 8-speed shiftable automatic.
More Budget Sedans Under $30,000
View allVehicle Details
Compare More Vehicles
Use our interactive comparison tool to compare up to 4 vehicles at once
Open Comparison Tool