The 2025 K5 and 2025 Sonata: Helping you find the right fit
The Hyundai Sonata has been sold in North America since its 1989 model year, but more recently, the Kia K5 became a viable alternative in the mid-size sedan segment. Both vehicles have achieved success, thanks to perks such as sporty styling, fuel efficiency, and price accessibility. The 2025 Kia K5 starts at $27,190, and the 2025 Hyundai Sonata is just behind with a $26,900 base price.
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Kia gave this K5 a mild refresh primarily consisting of exterior design tweaks, tech upgrades, and slight alterations to the powertrain. The 2025 Sonata is mostly a carryover, re-introducing the base SE trim, debuting the SEL Convenience trim, and equipping the N-Line with rear passenger HVAC vents. Still, don’t let the 2025 Sonata’s status as primarily a carryover model deter you. Get the full scoop on these two competitors with our guide below so you can identify an option that best meets your driving needs.
Interior design spotlight
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You might find yourself caught off-guard by the 2025 Kia K5’s premium interior, despite its use of hard plastics in areas like the armrest trim. Prominent regions such as the dash and doors feature available wood trim, with both areas complemented by ambient lighting. The 2025 K5 is also spacious, with a total interior capacity of 121.3 cu ft and a passenger capacity of 105.3 cu ft. Front seats are cushiony with heating on most trims and available ventilation, and the rear row has solid legroom. The 2025 K5’s cargo capacity of 15.6 cu ft is slightly better than the mid-size sedan segment’s average, and Kia equips the trunk with a wide opening for easier loading and unloading.
Hyundai’s 2025 Sonata matches the premium feel of Kia’s 2025 K5 with highlights such as a spacious rear seat, a clean, modern aesthetic, and a highly adjustable, spacious front row. Some drivers have complained that the model’s thick rear window pillars, high rear deck, and sloping rear roofline slightly reduce rear visibility, but overall visibility is good. Those looking for a sportier interior can select the N Line trim for its unique sport seats with microfiber inserts.
Comparable power and efficiency
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You might be curious to know if these vehicles’ powertrains reflect their sporty looks. The K5’s turbocharged 1.6-liter engine is replaced by a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine producing 191 horsepower and 181.5 lb-ft of torque for 2025. This engine is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and opting for the K5’s GT trim’s turbo 2.5-liter four gives you 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The 2025 K5 has a 0.27 drag coefficient, and mileage ranging from 23-26 mpg in the city and 33-37 mpg on the highway.
The 2025 Hyundai Sonata mirrors the K5’s horsepower and torque—both in its standard and performance versions—and mileage ranges from 23-28 mpg in the city and 32-38 mpg on the highway. The Sonata also has a hybrid option—which the K5 doesn’t offer—earning 44 mpg in the city and 51 mpg on the highway.
Exterior design: where differences are easier to spot
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The 2025 K5 features a sportier front grille than the previous year, showcasing a new, more aggressive mesh pattern. Daytime running lights on this Kia contain an updated “Star Map” design that appears more dynamic than the 2024 model year, and wheel sizes range from 16 inches to 19 inches. Kia adds a new matte silver paint color and has revised the taillights with a sharper look. The 2025 Sonata also has wheels measuring 16 inches to 19 inches, along with standard LED headlights and daytime running lights. Hyundai’s mesh pattern for the 2025 Sonata’s front grille is slightly less pronounced than the K5’s, but an LED taillight spanning the entire rear stands out.
Safety and tech analysis reveal a noteworthy finding
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Both the K5 and Sonata come standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while offering an available Bose sound system with eight speakers. You’ll also find a wireless smartphone charging pad in most of the models’ trims and a hands-free power trunk lid standard across each vehicle’s lineup. While these sedans are similar on a technological level, their safety scores differ substantially. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2025 Hyundai Sonata its highest rating of Top Safety Pick+, whereas the 2025 Kia K5 didn’t receive any IIHS awards. Both models have a strong amount of standard driver-assistance technologies, but the K5 received a “Poor” rating from the IIHS in its updated moderate overlap front crash test.
Final thoughts
Kia and Hyundai are owned by the same parent company, so it’s no surprise that the two vehicles, given their comparable prices within the same segment, share several similarities. Where these models most diverge is in their exterior looks. Sure, both have plenty of sporty qualities, but the K5 leans more heavily into athletic styling, whereas the Sonata’s exterior is slightly more conservative as a whole. If you’re prioritizing crash safety and a hybrid option, the Sonata may better suit your needs, whereas the K5 might be best for someone seeking a sportier appearance and something that’s not essentially a carryover model.
This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Aug 23, 2025, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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