The 2025 Kia K5 and Honda Accord are midsize sedans that go above and beyond in value, economy, and comfort. Yes, we know, the world is all agog about SUVs these days. But the K5 and Accord are proof that a handsome family sedan can be a compelling alternative to an SUV.
With the K5 you get a sleek exterior, a fuel-sipping engine, a user-friendly infotainment system, and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). There’s even a turbocharged model, the K5 GT, which has the power and agility of a true sports sedan.
Redesigned a couple of years ago, the Accord pushes all the right buttons. This exquisitely engineered Honda recently took home the Kelley Blue Book Best Buy Award in the midsize car category, thanks in no small way to its roomy cabin, expansive trunk, and two solid powertrains, including a fuel-efficient gas/electric hybrid.
Let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Kia K5 and the 2025 Honda Accord.
2025 Kia K5
With its sporty, athletic styling, improved performance, and impressive interior, the Kia K5 is a significant step up from the nondescript Optima it replaced a few years ago.
Kia offers the K5 in four trim levels: LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT. For 2025, the K5 received a power boost via a new standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine putting out 191-horsepower for the LXS, GT-Line, and EX models, but if you want power, go for the 290-hp GT. The GT-Line can be ordered with all-wheel drive (AWD).
With lots of room for five passengers and a spacious trunk, the K5 is among the largest vehicles in the segment. It also helps that its modern-looking cabin feels nicer than its pay grade. Pricing starts at $28,145, including destination charge.
Kia K5 Highlights
Safe choice: Kia’s Drive Wise technology suite includes a collision warning system, lane departure warning system, pedestrian detection system, and a raft of airbags around the passengers. However, if a crash occurs, it’s good to know the K5 received a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Big power, low price: For about $34K, you can get the K5 GT and its 290 hp. That kind of power typically requires a step up into a larger, more expensive vehicle.
Outstanding warranty: We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Kia knocks it out of the park with its stellar warranty. The K5 comes with 5-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage, along with a powertrain warranty spanning 10 years or 100,000 miles. While the Honda Accord shines as an eminently reliable machine, the K5 scores a big win in warranty coverage.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Kia K5 models for sale near you.
2025 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord starts at $29,390, and it is the reigning champ of our Best Resale Value Award in its class. It’s available in six trims: LX, SE, Sport Hybrid, EX-L Hybrid, Sport-L Hybrid, and Touring Hybrid. All but the LX and SE are hybrids, which we review separately. The SE trim level is new for 2025, taking the place of the previously offered EX. The new SE trim features black 17-inch alloy wheels, black window trim, black door mirrors, a black shark fin antenna, and gloss-black B-pillar trim.
Moving inside, the SE builds on the LX’s content with heated front seats, a one-touch power sliding moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control, and an 8-speaker audio system.
In addition to the new SE trim, every Accord now comes with rear air conditioning vents and a pair of rear USB-C ports. With the LX and SE, you get a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, which puts out 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque, funneled through a CVT.
Honda Accord Highlights
Passenger space, cargo volume: The Kia K5 has a modern and comfortable interior, with particularly generous front legroom, But the Accord is roomier, especially in the back. With 40.8 inches of rear legroom, the Accord bests rivals like the Kia K5 and other midsize sedans like the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima. The Accord also has a class-leading trunk with 16.7 cubic feet of capacity.
User-friendly tech: Standard in the entry-level Accord LX is a user-friendly 7-inch touchscreen, wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.2-inch digital instrument display, and multiple USB outlets.
Sensible safety: All Accords come equipped with Honda Sensing, which is a set of driver assistance features includes forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, and more.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Accord models for sale near you.
Similarities
We think the Kia K5 and Honda Accord are great picks for anyone in the market for a practical midsize sedan at a fair price. Both have spacious trunks that can swallow a lot of cargo. And it helps that both are stylish vehicles that won’t fade into the background. The K5 is bolder and more aggressive; the Accord is more subdued yet still handsome.
Conclusion
The Kia K5 is a solid choice, definitely worthy of a test drive. It has a lower starting price than the Accord, it looks sharp, and the sporty GT model comes loaded with performance street cred. And if you want AWD, between these two rivals, this one is it.
That stated, the Honda Accord remains the midsize sedan to beat. From its roomy cabin and spacious trunk to its refined powertrains and generous safety features, the fuel-efficient Accord is tough to beat, a point that’s further underscored by its excellent resale values.
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia K5 vehicles and New 2025 Honda Accord vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
| 2025 Kia K5 | 2025 Honda Accord | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | Turbo 1.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 192 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 192 lb-ft @ 1,750-5,000 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel economy | 26 mpg city/37 mpg highway/30 mpg combined | 29 mpg city/37 mpg highway/32 mpg combined |
| Also Available | Turbo 2.5-liter 4-cylinder; AWD | Hybrid 2.0-liter 4-cylinder |
| 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 | 112.2inches | 111.4 inches |
| Overall Length | 193.1 inches | 195.7 inches |
| Width | 73.2 inches | 73.3 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 38.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.2 inches | 39.5 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.8 inches | 37.3 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 46.1 inches | 42.3 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 35.2 inches | 40.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.0 inches | 57.9 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.1 inches | 56.5 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 15.6 cubic feet | 16.7 cubic feet |
