The midsize sedan segment is full of good options. The Nissan Altima has been around for decades and is a trusted name in this class, but the Kia K5 is an appealing newcomer. They have a lot in common, like similar sizing, a similar price tag, and available all-wheel drive (AWD). However, there are a few key differences you should know about.
Let’s take a closer look at the Kia K5 and Nissan Altima and find the right sedan for you.
2023 Kia K5
The Kia K5 is a relative rookie to the midsize sedan segment. It replaced the Optima in 2021 as a sporty and stylish 4-door that’s still practical and affordable. Pricing starts at $25,290.
Kia K5 Highlights
Long warranty — The Kia K5 comes with a class-leading warranty, giving the driver peace of mind. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. By comparison, the Altima comes with a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Bigger interior — The Kia K5 has a slightly roomier interior than the Nissan Altima. It has more cargo space in trunk, too. The seating space is also a little roomier in the Kia, with an extra inch of headroom in the back seats.
Sporty GT model — The Kia K5 GT is a veritable sport sedan with performance beating the Altima SR VC-Turbo. The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine pumps out 290 horsepower and a best-in-class torque rating of 311 lb-ft. On top of the engine upgrade, it has a sport-tuned suspension, quad-tip dual exhaust, and bigger brakes.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the K5 models for sale near you
2023 Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with a modest refresh and updated tech features like more standard safety features and an available 12.3-inch infotainment system. Pricing starts at $25,290.
Nissan Altima Highlights
Great fuel economy — The Nissan Altima beats the Kia K5 regarding efficiency. The most efficient variant of the Altima achieves 32 combined mpg, and even with all-wheel drive, it still returns 30 combined mpg. The result is lower fuel costs than the Kia, which can add up over the years.
VC-Turbo engine option — The available VC-Turbo engine in the Altima isn’t as powerful as the K5 GT, but it uses clever engineering to achieve robust performance and good fuel economy with little compromise. It uses variable compression to optimize the right balance of performance and efficiency based on the driver’s inputs.
More affordable AWD — The Kia K5 with all-wheel drive starts at $28,390, while the most affordable AWD-equipped Altima begins at $27,590. Additionally, the Altima has three trims available with AWD, and the K5 only has one. This is worth considering if AWD is a must-have feature for you.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Altima models for sale near you
Similarities
Similar pricing, similar sizing, available AWD, IIHS Top Safety Pick+, similar infotainment features, nice interior for the money
Conclusion
The Nissan Altima has some practical advantages over the Kia K5, like slightly better fuel economy and more variety in its AWD-equipped trims. However, the K5 has a longer warranty, sportier performance with the GT model, and a bit more interior space. Which is right for you depends on your priorities.
| 2023 Kia K5 | 2023 Nissan Altima | |
| Starting Price | $25,290 | $25,290 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 188 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft @ 1,500-4,500 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT automatic |
| Fuel Economy | 27 city/37 highway/31 combined mpg | 28 city/39 highway/32 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder; 7-speed dual-clutch transmission; AWD | 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4; AWD |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 inches | 111.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 193.1 inches | 192.9 inches |
| Width | 73.2 inches | 72.9 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 36.1 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.2 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.8 inches | 36.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 46.1 inches | 43.8 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.2 inches | 35.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.0 inches | 58.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.1 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 16 cubic feet | 15.4 cubic feet |
