There may be fewer and fewer options in the midsize sedan market, but the ones that remain are better than ever. The 2025 Kia K5 and 2025 Toyota Camry hit showrooms as some of their class’s most technologically advanced, performance-oriented vehicles.
The K5 and Camry get powertrain updates for the new model year, netting more power for one and impressive fuel economy gains for the other. They enjoy the expanded use of technology to make these vehicles safer and more convenient than their predecessors, including using digital keys for each model.
Although each vehicle features several similar updates, there are differences that make a closer look at the Kia K5 and Toyota Camry worthwhile. Let’s check them out.
2025 Kia K5
For the 2025 model year, Kia took a good car and made it better. Among the better offerings in the midsize segment, the automaker made a few improvements, including boosting the power output of the base engine from 180 horsepower to 191 hp. While you won’t set any speed records with that, more is better for ponies, significantly, when that increase only costs a very moderate decrease in mpg.
The exterior styling gets minor tweaks to the front and rear fascias, but the design remains fresh for a vehicle introduced four years ago. The Kia K5 has four trim levels: LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. The GT retains its 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, putting out a stout 290 hp. The other trim levels get the new engine. Front-wheel drive is standard, although all-wheel drive (AWD) is an option for the GT-Line.
The interior received a freshening for the new year, and a new dual display unit comprised of a 12-inch gauge cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard equipment. With room for five, the cabin is comfortable and roomier than expected. The trunk is among the largest in the segment. Pricing starts at $28,145, including destination fees.
Kia K5 Highlights
More technology: Kia’s Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, which incorporates junction turning and cyclist detection, are now standard across all trim levels. Add this to an impressive suite of standard driver assistance technology, which includes blind-spot collision avoidance assist and safe exit assist, and you’ve got an idea about the level of technology packed into every K5.
Infotainment: Every new Kia K5 includes a new 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Best protection: Shiny new technology, engine upgrades, and design tweaks are nice, but buying a Kia also means you get some peace of mind with the best warranty coverage in the industry: five years/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10 years/100,000 miles on the powertrain.
Read our Kia K5 Expert Review or see 2025 Kia K5 models for sale near you.
2025 Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is the best-selling sedan in the U.S. and continues improving. The ninth-generation Camry retains its simple, sleek exterior styling and benefits from a shift to a standard hybrid powertrain.
Toyota’s top sedan combines a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder with an electric motor to put out 225 and 232 hp for the AWD version. Yup, AWD is available for an additional $1,525, and it adds another electric motor, hence the additional horsepower. The power is excellent, and it’s matched by the fuel economy, which comes in as high as 51 mpg combined on the newest iteration.
Moving inside, consumers will find one of the largest cabins in the segment, and if you move to the top trim levels, Toyota adds noise-reducing acoustic glass, making for a quieter driving experience. Camry has four trim levels: LE, SE, XLE, and XSE. The impact of technology increases as one moves up the ranks. Pricing starts at $29,495, including destination fees.
Toyota Camry Highlights
Excellent tech: The Camry comes packed with helpful technology like the Safety Connect system, which includes an Emergency Assistance Button, 24/7 Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Automatic Collision Notification, and a Stolen Vehicle Locator on a trial basis. A Digital Key is also available on the XLE and XSE trim levels, allowing anyone the owner likes to drive the car using a smartphone.
Outstanding sound: If you’re an audiophile who wants excellent fuel economy, the Camry has you covered with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on the XLE and XSE models.
Safe space: While new ratings aren’t in yet, the Camry is a longtime awardee of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick and 5-star scores from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Kia K5 also awaits ratings for 2025 but received a 5-star overall rating from NHTSA in 2024.
Read our Toyota Camry Expert Review or see 2025 Toyota Camry models for sale near you.
Similarities
The Kia K5 and the Toyota Camry boast clean, sleek exterior styling and robust powertrain options. These 5-passenger sedans also offer a lot of technology, making them more enjoyable and safer to drive or ride.
Conclusion
On the surface, this seems like a pretty close competition. The K5 and Camry are similarly priced, offer plenty of interior space, and pack safety and convenience tech. However, the Camry has been either top-selling or nearly the top sedan of the last two decades, and Toyota seems unwilling to give up that lofty perch. The Toyota Camry is roomier and more fuel-efficient, but the Kia K5 is a little more affordable and has better warranty coverage. The right sedan for you comes down to your priorities and personal taste.
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 Kia K5 vehicles and New 2025 Toyota Camry 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.
| 2025 Kia K5 | 2025 Toyota Camry | |
| Popular Powertrains | ||
| Engine | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder | 2.5-liter 4-cylinder hybrid |
| Horsepower | 191 hp @ 6,100 rpm | 184 hp @ 6,000 rpm (gas engine), 225 net combined hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm | 163 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm (gas engine), 153 lb-ft (front electric motor) |
| Transmission | 8-speed automatic | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 26 city/37 highway/30 combined mpg | 53 city/50 highway/51 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder/AWD | 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 | N/R | N/R |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 inches | 111.2 inches |
| Overall Length | 193.1 inches | 193.5 inches |
| Width | 73.2 inches | 72.4 inches |
| Height | 56.9 inches | 56.9 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 36.0 feet | 37.4 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 40.2 inches | 38.3 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.8 inches | 37.6 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 46.1 inches | 42.1 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 35.2 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 58.0 inches | 57.7 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 56.1 inches | 55.7 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 15.6 cubic feet | 15.1 cubic feet |
