Critics say the age of the sedan is in the past. Don’t tell Kia or Nissan, as both companies continue to produce elegant, sporty sedans in multiple sizes. The 2024 Kia K5 and 2024 Nissan Altima compete in the midsize sedan category.
The K5, formerly known as the Optima, entered its fifth generation of production in the 2019 model year. The Altima has been around a little longer and entered its sixth generation in the 2019 model year, too.
Let’s find out which of these established midsized sedans is right for you and your family.
2024 Kia K5
Kia offers its 2024 K5 sedan in five trim levels, with two turbocharged engines and front- or all-wheel drive (FWD or AWD). Prices start at $25,390 for the LXS base model. But if you’re looking for a family car with spice, you’ll want the GT model, which starts at $31,790. Its 290-horsepower engine and dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters make it the enthusiast’s choice.
Kia K5 Highlights
Dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters: Most K5 models have an 8-speed automatic transmission. The GT model also gets eight speeds from a different, more performance-oriented transmission. A dual-clutch model, it lets you control the shifts yourself with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The Altima comes with a far less engaging continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Paddle shifters with a manual shift mode come on the SR VCT-Turbo model only.
Slightly lower price: The K5 starts at $25,390. The high-performance GT model starts at $31,790 and comes with many of the trimmings of a luxury car. The cheapest Altima, the S, starts at $25,730, and the top-of-the-line SR VCT-Turbo model begins at $35,430.
10-year warranty: Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty easily exceeds Nissan’s protection plan.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the K5 models for sale near you
2024 Nissan Altima
Nissan offers the 2024 Altima in five trim levels, with a 2.5-liter direct-injection gasoline 4-cylinder engine in the S, SL, SV, and SR trims and a 2.0-liter variable compression turbocharged 4-cylinder gas engine in the SR VC-Turbo trim. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all models. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available on SL, SV, and SR trims for $1,500. Prices start from $25,730 to $35,430.
Nissan Altima Highlights
The VC-Turbo engine rocks: Cranking out up to 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque from its 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, the top-of-the-line engine is an engineering marvel that delivers sporty performance without sacrificing much fuel economy at 29 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The K5 offers an upgraded engine, too — a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine that puts out 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque — nudging past the Altima in power but trailing slightly in combined fuel efficiency at 27 mpg.
Big screen energy: The Altima’s base infotainment screen is a 7-inch touchscreen display, while a 12.3-inch NissanConnect color display with multi-touch control is available. The K5 starts out with an 8-inch touchscreen but tops out with a 10.25-inch touchscreen display as the premium option.
Safety standard: Nissan’s driver assistance system, ProPilot Assist, is standard on the SL and SR VC-Turbo models and available on SV. While the K5 has a comprehensive array of active and passive safety systems, it can’t match ProPilot Assist.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Altima models for sale near you
Similarities
These are both sporty by midsize sedan standards, and each is good-looking. They are very close in dimension, performance, and starting price.
Conclusion
The 2024 Kia K5 and 2023 Nissan Altima lean into their sporty sides but function well as daily drivers for those needing midsize space. They have similar power in their base engines, and both make you feel like you bought something a little more athletic than the average car.
The K5 GT is slightly less expensive and offers a sportier transmission and longer warranty. The Altima has the upper hand in technology and fuel economy, but only by a narrow margin. The decision between the two may come down to intangibles like driving experience and taste. Both sedans represent good value and solid choices.
| 2024 Kia K5 | 2024 Nissan Altima | |
| Starting Price | $25,390 | $25,730 |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter direct injection gasoline 4-cylinder |
| Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5,500 rpm | 188 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft @ 1,500 rpm to 4,500 rpm | 180 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 27 city/37 highway/31 combined mpg (FWD) | 27 city/39 highway/32 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder; 7-speed dual-clutch automatic; AWD | 2.0-liter VC-Turbo 4-cylinder; AWD |
| 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 | 112.2 inches | 111.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 193.1 inches | 192.9 inches |
| Width | 73.2 inches | 72.9 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 56.7 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.2 inches | 39.1 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.8 inches | 36.9 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 46.1 inches | 43.8 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.2 inches | 35.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.0 inches | 58.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.1 inches | 57.1 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 16.0 cubic feet | 15.4 cubic feet |
