The two standouts in the midsized sedan race for excellence are the comfortable Nissan Altima and the sporty Kia K5. Both vehicles can seat five, have several engine options, have optional all-wheel drive, and are armed with Apple Car Play/ Android Auto standard. So how do they compare? Which performs better? Here we will explore the details of each and show which is worth your consideration for purchase.
Nissan Altima Breakdown
The newest generation of Nissan Altima’s has grown upon previous successful models and is a pinnacle of safety and comfort. The best parts of the Nissan Altima are as follows:
- Two Engine Options: A 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine in the standard model with the option of a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4; AWD.
- Powerful Horsepower: On the standard engine at 188 hp @ 6,000 rpm
- Space Age Technology-Inspired Seats: Nissan's newly designed front seats attempt to capture the weightlessness of zero gravity and are the peak of comfort.
- Massive Infotainment Screen: The Nissan Altima comes standard with a large 12.3-inch display, one of the largest and most vibrant on the market.
Kia K5 Breakdown
The Kia K5 is less conservative in its design and offers a spectacular silhouette of sharp edges on the body. But how does it stack up to the Altima?
- A Pair Of Engine Options: The K5 has a standard 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with an optional 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4, 7-speed AWD.
- Outstanding Warranty: Kia offers one of the best warranties with a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Head To Head Comparison
The Kia K5 and Nissan Altima are incredibly similar in several ways, each offering specific aesthetics that can easily tip your decision either way. However, on paper, the Nissan Altima is slightly superior to the Kia K5 in several more meaningful prospects.
Regarding engine output, the Kia K5 has a slightly less effective standard engine than the Nissan Altima, which outperforms both torque and potential. While the optional engine of the K5 is superior to the optional Altima, it does come at a significant price rise. When comparing fuel economy, they are nearly identical, although the Altima does have a slight edge by one to two MPG more than the K5.
One regard where the K5 is superior is its warranty. Kia offers a five years/60,000 miles warranty compared to Nissan's three years/36,000 miles. Further, Altima does cost slightly more, around $1000 extra, but that price increase offers a wealth of improvements in that the K5 struggles to keep pace.
For the interior, the Altima is the clear winner. While both offer significant leg/headroom and can comfortably seat five adults, that is where the comparison ends. The Altima's infotainment screen and gauge displays are much larger and brighter than the K5. Additionally, the Altima's sleek interior and advanced seats offer a level of comfort with which the K5 cannot contend. Although, in one minor aspect, the K5 has a negligible advantage of 16 cu ft of cargo space compared to the Altima's 15.4 cu ft, which most owners will not notice.
While you cannot go wrong with either of these vehicles, the Altima will get you farther in its base model than the K5. Thanks to its innovative design features, powerful engine options, and incredible performance, the Nissan Altima is one of the best midsized sedans on the market.
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