2023 Nissan Altima vs. 2023 Kia K5

The Nissan Altima and the Kia K5 are both agile, practical cars. Each vehicle has a five-passenger capacity and is packed with plenty of features. There are, however, some noteworthy differences. Read on for the full lowdown on the 2023 editions of the Nissan Altima and Kia K5. Our team at Hertrich Nissan of Newark is here to help you decide which is the better fit.

Trims and Design

OEM Image via Nissan USA

The Altima comes in four trims: the S, SV, SR, and L. The Kia K5 offers four trims: the LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT. The new K5 has a few notable trim and exterior updates. For example, the new LXS model replaces the original LX, and the more expensive EX trim now comes equipped with acoustic front door glass. The GT-Line now offers a new optional package that includes a panoramic roof, LED interior lighting, and gloss-black body moldings.

The new Altima has a restyled version of Nissan’s chrome V-motion grille, a body-color rear diffuser, active grille shutters, LED projector headlights with LED trademark daytime running lights, and intelligent auto headlights. Options include two new exterior paint shades and a redesigned instrument panel. There are now also four alloy wheel designs available. Tire sizes range from 16 to 19 inches depending on the trim level, just like the 2023 K5. Overall, the Altima has a thrilling, modernized exterior that the K5 can’t quite match.

Power and Engine

While both vehicles come in all-wheel drive and offer two engines, the Altima’s standard powertrain is larger. The Nissan Altima has a powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine with 182 horsepower. Or you can upgrade to a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 236 horsepower. The K5 uses a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 180 horsepower. Or you can opt for a 2.5-liter inline-four with 290 horsepower.

Although the K5’s second engine option offers a little more horsepower than the Altima’s higher-performance engine, it also costs a lot more. The Nissan Altima also has an extra-speedy zero to 60 mph time of 5.3 seconds, while the Kia K5 comes in behind at 5.7 seconds.

Safety Features

Both models come equipped with almost identical safety features. These include a rearview camera, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, brake assistance, an anti-lock braking system, tire pressure monitoring, stability and traction control, pedestrian detection, and forward collision warning. Furthermore, both have earned favorable safety rankings, including five out of five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Both have driver’s knee airbags, an essential innovation in crash protection, and also come with side and curtain airbags.

Interior and Comfort

Even though the Altima is a midsize vehicle, it has the roominess to match some SUVs. The cargo area offers 15.43 cubic feet, and the passenger volume adds up to 100.6 cubic feet. Wherever your adventures take you around Newark and beyond, you can count on having plenty of room for you, your family, and any gear or luggage you need. For those on the hunt for a premium cabin, consider a model with carbon fiber trim with matte-chrome pieces. The zero-gravity seat design reduces pressure points on the body and enhances driving comfort.

The Kia K5 comes standard with synthetic leather and cloth upholstery. There are options for 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and ventilated front seats, as well as a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel and full synthetic leather upholstery. Both rows are supportive, and the front row has ample legroom. Although the K5’s sloping roofline restricts headroom, the back row is generally roomy. The K5 has 105.3 total cubic feet of passenger volume and 16 cubic feet of cargo space. These and other minor benefits aren’t worth the K5’s higher average price.

Efficiency and Performance

The 2023 Nissan Altima and the 2023 Kia K5 offer similar capability and flexibility. With regard to efficiency, the Nissan Altima slightly outperforms the Kia K5 again. The Altima’s most efficient model gets 32 combined mpg, with 27 mpg for the city and 39 mpg on the highway. The Kia K5 offers 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway, with a combined rating of 31 mpg. This drops to 24, 32, and 27 mpg for higher trim levels.

The optional intelligent all-wheel drive on the Altima works with the 2.5-liter engine to continuously monitor the road’s conditions, and it can react within less than a second. Handling also benefits from a firm chassis, responsive steering, and well-crafted suspension.

Also, the 16.2-gallon gasoline tank of the Altima will let you travel more than 630 highway miles before refueling. With the K5,  you can travel about 560 highway miles before having to top off its 15.8-gallon tank.

Infotainment Features

The 2023 Altima has the biggest touch screen in its class, and it also comes with a 12.3-inch HD color interface with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto, and the Nissan door-to-door navigation system. The 2023 Nissan Altima has a wireless smartphone charging pad and a convenient Wi-Fi hotspot, and you also get two USB ports in the front and two more in the back.

A 10.3-inch touch screen, 2 inches smaller than the Altima’s, comes standard on the EX, GT-Line, and GT trims of the K5. The initial LXS model has to make do with an 8-inch screen. Despite the sound system having usable volume and tuning knobs, the touch screen takes more time to respond to requests. The rest of the features are almost identical between the two vehicles.

2023 Altima vs. 2023 K5: Which Car Should I Buy?

Excluding destination fees, the price of the Altima S begins at $25,490. The SV starts at $26,090, the SR is $27,490, and the L is $31,990. The K5’s four trims are $25,090 for the LXS, $29,190 for the EX, $26,690 for the GT-Line, and $31,690 for the GT. The pricing is quite similar, but drivers will find a better deal for their money with any of the Altima trims than the comparable K5 models.

Are you looking for a vehicle with strong performance, good fuel economy, and great value? If you are, you’ll adore the 2023 Nissan Altima. Schedule a test drive at Hertrich Nissan of Newark right away. We’ll help you determine if this sedan is the best choice for you. Hertrich Nissan of Newark is at your side for buying a new or pre-owned automobile in Newark, Delaware.