2025 Kia K5 vs 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid underwent significant styling updates, enhancing its modern appeal. The front fascia featured a streamlined design with a single slim lightbar, known as the “seamless horizon lamp,” giving the sedan a contemporary look. The badge was repositioned above the grille, and the headlights were placed independently below it, drawing a clear family resemblance to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 while avoiding its more polarizing elements. The rear end, already equipped with a lightbar, now resembled the all-new Hyundai Santa Fe, forming a wide “H” shape with the taillights. A sporty black spoiler-esque trunk lid was also introduced. From the side, the 2024 Sonata closely resembled the 2023 model, with minimal changes to its profile. The Limited-trim test car featured 17-inch wheels and a fashionable enamel gray color called “Transmission Blue,” which could be selected without additional cost. The interior saw changes in the dashboard design, with vents flowing across and a redesigned steering wheel featuring a T-shape and a bar with four dots spelling out “H” in Morse code. Three interior color schemes were available, with the test car’s interior in basic black.

The 2025 Kia K5 showcased bolder “Star Map” front running lights and taillights, modernizing its appearance. However, the wheel designs were a mixed bag, with the GT1 Package on the K5 GT featuring black wheels that seemed out of place. The K5 GT was the fun variant, but the base LXS, sporty-looking GT-Line, and upscale EX were more popular. Prices ranged from $28,145 to $35,645, including the destination charge. The K5 EX test car had optional floor mats, bringing the MSRP to $35,830. The EX trim offered everything Kia provided for the 2025 K5, and despite some glossy and slippery plastic surfaces, it felt like an entry-level luxury car. The SynTex synthetic leather upholstery was not favored due to its sticky feel. New for 2025, the 24-inch Panoramic Display combined digital instrumentation with a touchscreen infotainment screen, though the touch-sensing, dual-action control panel underneath proved frustratingly easy to accidentally switch between controls.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid introduced an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system for the gas version, but the hybrid remained front-wheel-drive (FWD) only. The Sonata Hybrid’s 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine and electric motor produced a total system output of 192 horsepower, routed through a six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike most hybrids using a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the Sonata Hybrid maintained an EPA rating of 47 mpg combined. The automatic transmission provided additional control, and the steering wheel paddles managed regenerative braking levels in Eco mode and allowed gear shifting in Sport mode. The steering feel and handling were appropriate, and the configurable driver-information display allowed simultaneous viewing of the tachometer and hybrid system’s power flow. The novelty of accelerating at 0 RPM remained enjoyable throughout the test week.

The 2025 Kia K5 replaced its previous turbocharged 1.6-liter engine with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder, producing 191 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque at higher engine revs. An eight-speed automatic transmission powered the front wheels, with an optional AWD system available with GT-Line trim. The K5 GT offered a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine with 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, available from 1,650 rpm, but only with FWD. The standard engine swap made the K5 less interesting to drive, though the 2.5-liter engine provided adequate acceleration and was reasonably quiet. The EPA fuel economy estimate was 29 mpg combined, but the test car averaged 24.9 mpg on a mountainous testing loop. The K5 EX featured 18-inch wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires, enhancing ride and handling qualities. The K5 EX was quiet, soft, and smooth in the city, with predictable handling on mountain roads. The K5 GT offered a sport-tuned suspension, faster steering ratio, and larger brakes, improving performance.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid offered competitive interior space, with the driver’s seat adjustable for exceptional visibility. The Limited trim’s panoramic moonroof provided 37.8 inches of front-seat headroom, slightly above competitors like the Honda Accord Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid. Rear-seat headroom was equally competitive, with 37.4 inches with the moonroof. The Sonata prioritized front-row legroom with 46.1 inches, while rear-seat passengers had 34.8 inches. The Limited-trim test car featured heated and ventilated seats, a slimmer steering wheel rim, and a trunk close button for added convenience.

The 2025 Kia K5 provided comfort with a front passenger’s seat height adjuster standard across all trims. The EX trim offered 10-way power adjustment for both front seats, with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel for the driver. Rear passengers benefited from air conditioning vents on the center console’s back panel. The K5’s supportive rear seat offered ample room for legs, feet, and heads. Interior storage was generous, with rubber-lined locations to reduce noise and vibration. The trunk offered 15.6 cubic feet of volume, with enclosed lid hinges and a grip for easy packing.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid featured a selectable functionality for the driver’s side front USB-C port, allowing it to switch between data-transmitting and charging-only modes. This feature complemented the wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available on every trim. The curved display combined the infotainment touchscreen and driver-information display into a single panel, with logical and intuitive haptic “buttons” for climate control and media functions. The Limited trim included navigation, natural language voice-recognition, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, while a six-speaker sound system was standard.

The 2025 Kia K5 came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering multi-device Bluetooth pairing, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The EX trim featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel. Kia Connect powered features like remote engine starting and cabin pre-conditioning, though it wasn’t set up in the test car. Pairing an iPhone and using Apple CarPlay was easy, with Siri handling tasks without trouble. The K5 EX’s 12-speaker Bose audio system provided decent sound quality. Kia’s digital key technology allowed smartphones or smartwatches to unlock, start, and drive the car.

The 2024 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid included standard safety features like blind-spot collision warning, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist, and lane-following and lane-keep assist. The Limited trim added a turn-signal-activated blind-spot-view monitor, surround-view monitor, Highway Driving Assist system, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. Hyundai’s infotainment system made safety features easy to find and adjust, with clear graphics explaining each function.

The 2025 Kia K5 offered a comprehensive suite of driver-assist features, including intersection turn assistance, active blind-spot collision avoidance, and a leading vehicle departure alert. The GT-Line added a Highway Driving Assist system and a curve speed reduction system to the adaptive cruise control. The EX trim featured a surround-view camera system, blind-spot cameras, side parking sensors, and automatic braking during parking. The K5 earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, though the IIHS had not rated the car at the time of review.