The 2025 Honda Accord and Kia K5 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.
Redesigned a couple of years ago, the Accord pushes all the right buttons. This exquisitely engineered Honda took home the 2024 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.
The K5 has 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.
Let’s take a closer look at the 2025 Honda Accord and the 2025 Kia K5.
2025 Honda Accord
The Honda Accord 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 has rear air conditioning vents and a pair of rear USB-C ports. The LX and SE have a turbocharged 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine funneling 192 hp and 192 lb-ft of torque 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: The entry-level Accord LX comes standard with a 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, a set of driver assistance features that 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 available Accord models near you.
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 hp for the LXS, GT-Line, and EX models. 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.
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: The K5 GT, with its 290 hp, is available for about $34K. That kind of power typically requires stepping up to 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 available Kia K5 models 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 good 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.
Pricing
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 Honda Accord vehicles and New 2025 Kia K5 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.
Specifications
| 2025 Honda Accord | 2025 Kia K5 | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 192 hp @ 6,000 rpm | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm |
| Torque | 192 lb-ft @ 1,700 rpm | 182 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
| Transmission | Automatic, CVT | automatic, 8-speed |
| Fuel Economy | 29 city/37 highway/32 combined mpg | 25 city/36 highway/29 combined mpg |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 3 years/36,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 10 years/100,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | 5 stars |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 inches | 112.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 195.7 inches | 193.1 inches |
| Width | 73.3 inches | 73.2 inches |
| Height | 57.1 inches | 56.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 38.4 feet | 36.0 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.5 inches | 40.2 inches |
| Headroom, 2nd Row | 37.3 inches | 37.8 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 46.1 inches |
| Legroom, 2nd Row | 40.8 inches | 35.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 57.9 inches | 58.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, 2nd Row | 56.5 inches | 56.1 inches |
| Cargo capacity | 16.7 cubic feet | 15.6 cubic feet |
Specification table reflects the typical configuration of vehicles shown.
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.
