Head-to-head
2026 Hyundai Sonata vs 2026 Kia K5
The Hyundai Sonata wins clearly, 97.9 to 91.2, on fuel & range, safety. The Kia K5 is ahead on tech & comfort.
A
2026 Hyundai Sonata
The 2026 Hyundai Sonata is sold in the U.S. as a hybrid and gas large sedan with 6 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Sonata Hybrid Blue,…
vs
A2026 Kia K5
The 2026 Kia K5 is sold in the U.S. as a gas large sedan with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the K5 w/Stop-Start, is EPA-rated at 30 mp…
Verdict · default weights
2026 Hyundai Sonata
Clear winThe Hyundai Sonata wins clearly, 97.9 to 91.2, on fuel & range, safety. The Kia K5 is ahead on tech & comfort.
Fuel & range 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads by 41.9
Tech & comfort 2026 Kia K5 leads by 4.8
Safety 2026 Hyundai Sonata leads by 2.5
| Category · weight | 2026 Hyundai Sonataoverall 97.9 | 2026 Kia K5overall 91.2 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricew 4 | 100 | 99.9 | |||||||||||||||
Base MSRP of the trim (or the model's lowest trim). Lower is better. | |||||||||||||||||
| Fuel & rangew 3 | 100 | 58.1 | |||||||||||||||
EPA annual fuel cost and combined mpg / MPGe; EV range when both are electric. | |||||||||||||||||
| Safetyw 4 | 94.2 | 91.7 | |||||||||||||||
NHTSA 5-Star rating, WhichTrim Safety Signal (open recalls by severity), owner complaints, standard driver-assist features (from the press kit, or from what the manufacturer filed with NHTSA where there is none). Open park-outside / do-not-drive advisories cost 25 points. | |||||||||||||||||
| Space & cargow 2 | 100 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Seats, cargo volume behind the 1st and 2nd rows, rear legroom. | |||||||||||||||||
| Performancew 2 | 99.9 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Horsepower, torque and horsepower per ton. | |||||||||||||||||
| Tech & comfortw 3 | 95.2 | 100 | |||||||||||||||
Standard (1) and optional (0.5) infotainment, convenience, climate and interior features from the manufacturer's press kit. | |||||||||||||||||
| Warrantynot compared | No data | No data | |||||||||||||||
| Overall | 97.9 | 91.2 | |||||||||||||||
Trim vs trim · 6 of 7 categories compared
Hyundai Sonata: base trim SE FWD · Kia K5: base trim LXS FWD. Pick a trim in the tool to compare any other trim.
Change what matters to you →Scores are 0–100 per category from the data on this page. The weights are yours to set.
Where the gap is
the biggest differences, from the scorecard's own numbersWhere the 2026 Hyundai Sonata wins
- It has drawn fewer owner complaints (6 against 14 filed with NHTSA).
- It costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,300 against $2,250).
- It is rated 51 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe).
Where the 2026 Kia K5 answers
- It lists 39 standard driver-assist features against 28.
- It lists more comfort and tech equipment (52 points against 49.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½).
What they share
- 5 NHTSA stars.
- 15.6 cu ft behind the second row.
- 191 hp.
Ranked by how far apart the two score on each measure, so a price gap and a horsepower gap are compared on the same scale. Every figure is on this page.
Specifications side by side
51 specs · manufacturer press kits| Spec | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | ||
| Base MSRP (excludes destination) | $27,450 | $27,490 |
| Engine Basics | ||
| Aspiration | naturally aspirated | naturally aspirated |
| Cylinder count | 4 | 4 |
| Engine displacement | 2,497 cc | 2,497 cc |
| Engine type (full description) | Smartstream 2.5L GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder | 2.5L I-4, Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) THETA-III engine |
| Fuel injection system | gdi mpi | gdi mpi |
| Valve configuration | DOHC 16-Valve | DOHC |
| Engine Output | ||
| Horsepower | 191 hp | 191 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 182 lb-ft |
| Fuel Economy | ||
| MPG (city) | 28 mpg | 26 mpg |
| MPG (combined) | 32 mpg | 30 mpg |
| MPG (highway) | 38 mpg | 37 mpg |
| Transmission | ||
| Final drive ratio | 3.195 | 3.195:1 |
| Transmission speeds | 8 | 8 |
| Transmission type | automatic | automatic |
| Dimensions Exterior | ||
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.3 in |
| Overall height | 56.9 in | 56.9 in |
| Overall length | 193 in | 193 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in | 73.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 112 in | 112 in |
| Cargo | ||
| Cargo volume behind 2nd row | 15.6 cu-ft | 15.6 cu-ft |
| Total interior volume | 120 cu-ft | 121 cu-ft |
| Seating | ||
| Passenger seating capacity | 5 | — |
| Headroom | ||
| Front headroom | 40 in | 40.2 in |
| Second-row headroom | 37.8 in | — |
| Third-row headroom | — | 37.8 in |
| Legroom | ||
| Front legroom | 46.1 in | 46.1 in |
| Second-row legroom | 34.8 in | — |
| Third-row legroom | — | 35.2 in |
| Weights | ||
| Curb weight (maximum) | 3,232 lbs | 3,230 lbs |
| Curb weight (minimum) | 3,232 lbs | 3,230 lbs |
| Gross vehicle weight rating | 4,453 lbs | 4,365 lbs |
| Suspension | ||
| Front suspension type | MacPherson Strut | McPherson strut |
| Rear suspension type | Multi-link | Multi-link |
| Steering | ||
| Steering type | Rack-and-Pinion | Column Mounted-Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS), Electric Motor |
| Turning radius (curb-to-curb) | 18 ft | 36 ft |
| Brakes | ||
| Front brake diameter | 305 mm | 305 mm |
| Front brake type | ventilated disc | ventilated disc |
| Parking brake type | Electronic (Button) | epb |
| Rear brake diameter | 285 mm | 284 mm |
| Rear brake type | solid disc | solid disc |
| Wheels | ||
| Wheel diameter | 16 in | 16 in |
| Wheel material | alloy | forged alloy |
| Wheel width | 6.5 in | 6.5 in |
| Tires | ||
| Tire size | 205/65 R16 | P205/65R16 95H |
| Fuel System | ||
| Fuel tank capacity | 15.9 gal | 15.8 gal |
| Minimum recommended octane | 87 | 87 |
| Connected Services | ||
| Connected services brand | Blue Link | — |
| Shoulder Room | ||
| Front shoulder room | 57.9 in | 58 in |
| Second-row shoulder room | 56.1 in | — |
| Third-row shoulder room | — | 56.1 in |
Green marks the better value where the direction is unambiguous (more room, more power, lower price). Blank rows are specs the press kit does not publish.
Equipment, feature by feature
193 features · differences first, then sharedSafety29 differ · 48 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Junction Turning | std | — |
| Rearview Monitor | std | — |
| Dual rear seat-mounted side airbags | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning-Forward (PDW-F) | — | std |
| Parking Distance Warning-Reverse (PDW-R) | — | std |
| Advanced Airbag - Occupant Classification System (OCS) | std | — |
| Anti-theft System integrated with Remote Keyless Entry System and Panic | std | — |
| Auto door lock AT position | — | std |
| Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist - Rear (BCA) | — | std |
| Driver seat-belt warning system | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with auto-hold | — | std |
| Electronic Parking Brake w/ Automatic Vehicle Hold | std | — |
| Emergency internal trunk release | — | std |
| Energy-absorbing Steering Column | std | — |
| Front and rear 3-point seat belts | — | std |
| Front and Rear Seatbelt Pretensioners and Force Limiters | std | — |
| Front seat-belt pre tensioner and load limiter | — | std |
| Front seat-belt reminder | — | std |
| Height Adjustable Front-seat Shoulder Belt Anchors | std | — |
| Height-adjustable front seat-belt anchors | — | std |
| Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) | — | std |
| Impact sensing door unlock | — | std |
| Key operated warning system | — | std |
| LATCH Lower Anchors (2 rear) and Upper Tether (3 rear) Anchors | std | — |
| Leading Vehicle Departure Alert (LVDA) | — | std |
| Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) | — | std |
| Parking brake warning system | — | std |
| Rear child-safety door locks (power) | — | std |
| Rear seat-belt pre tensioner | — | std |
| Forward Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Cyclist Detection (includes Car / Pedestrian) / Junction Turning Detection (Car) (Camera and Radar based) | std | std |
| Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go (SCC w/ S&G) | std | std |
| Lane Following Assist (LFA) | std | std |
| Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) | std | std |
| Dual front advanced airbags | std | std |
| Dual front seat-mounted side airbags | std | std |
| Full-length side curtain airbags | std | std |
| Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) | std | std |
| Driver Attention Warning (DAW) | std | std |
| Safe Exit Assist (SEA) with Lock Combined with Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Power Child Lock | std | std |
| Anti-lock Brakes System (ABS) | std | std |
| Driver's knee airbag | std | std |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | std | std |
| High Beam Assist (HBA) | std | std |
| Rear Occupant Alert (ROA) (door logic based) | std | std |
| Traction Control System (TCS) | std | std |
| Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) | std | std |
| Immobilizer | std | std |
| Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) | std | std |
Infotainment15 differ · 16 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth Phone Controls | std | — |
| 12.3-inch ccNC Lite Radio, Satellite Digital Radio, Rear view Camera, Telematics, Wireless CP/AA | — | std |
| 12.3-inch HD touchscreen AM/FM/MP3 Audio System 6 Speakers, HD Radio, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, Blue Link, smartphone integration and rearview camera | std | — |
| 6 speakers (including 2 tweeters) | — | std |
| Antenna - Shark fin design with SiriusXM reception | std | — |
| Apple CarPlay & Android Auto capability (Wired and Wireless) | std | — |
| Auxiliary MP3 input / USB/iPod jacks - Front center stack bin (1) | std | — |
| Blue Link Gen 2 | std | — |
| Bluetooth® wireless technology | — | std |
| HD Radio Technology with multicasting | std | — |
| Over-The-Air Updates | std | — |
| Rear USB charge port (X2) | std | — |
| Second row USB-C charge ports (x2) | — | std |
| Shark fin antenna | — | std |
| SiriusXM Sat Radio | std | — |
| Steering wheel-mounted audio, Bluetooth®, and cruise controls | std | std |
Convenience12 differ · 13 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 12-volt Outlet - Front Console (1) | std | — |
| Cruise control | — | std |
| Front and rear power windows | — | std |
| Hands-free Smart Trunk | std | — |
| Power Door Locks (auto-lock function can be enabled by user) | std | — |
| Power driver window with auto-up/down | — | std |
| Power Windows - Driver Auto Up/Down | std | — |
| Remote Releases - Fuel Filler Door | std | — |
| Remote Releases - Hood | std | — |
| Remote Releases - Trunk | std | — |
| Two-turn driver door unlock | — | std |
| Central door lock switch | — | std |
| Smart key with Push-Button Start, Remote Engine Start, Climate and Smart trunk (open) | std | std |
Climate3 differ · 3 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin Air Filter | std | — |
| Dual Zone - Full Automatic Temperature Control (D-FATC) | — | std |
| Manual Air Conditioning / Heating | std | — |
Seating6 differ · 8 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 60/40 Split Fold-Down Rear Seats | std | — |
| 6-way manual adjustable front passenger seat | std | — |
| 60/40 split-folding rear seat | — | std |
| Rear center arm rest with cup holder | — | std |
| Rear outboard adjustable headrests, up/down | — | std |
| Rear Seat Fixed headrests | std | — |
| 6-way manual adjustable driver seat including double recline, sliding and height adjuster | std | std |
| Cloth seat trim | std | std |
Interior54 differ · 56 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| 4.2-inch Color TFT LCD Color Super Vision display panel | — | std |
| Assist Grips (4) | std | — |
| Assist Grips (x4) | — | std |
| Black paint B/C Pillar trim | — | std |
| Cargo lamp | — | std |
| Central Dome Light (door activated option) | std | — |
| Coat hook (x1) | — | std |
| Cupholders - 2 Front + 2 Rear (center armrest) | std | — |
| Dark silver metal paint power window switch panel | — | std |
| Door Armrest - Integrated | std | — |
| Door panel bottle holders (4) | std | — |
| Door Pockets - Small map w/ bottle holders | std | — |
| Door scuff plates with vehicle name logo | — | std |
| Floor Mats - Carpeted or All-weather (PIO) | opt | — |
| Front Center Console - Fixed Armrest Storage Box | std | — |
| Front console tray with 12V power outlet (x1), USB-C (x2 - 1 data and 1 charge port) | — | std |
| Front console with armrest, storage and cup holders | — | std |
| Front Map Lights - Regular | std | — |
| Gauges (Engine RPM, Temperature Meter, Speedometer, Fuel Meter, Engine Oil Sensor) | — | std |
| Glove Compartment | std | — |
| Glove Compartment Light, Cargo Area Light | std | — |
| Illuminated ignition key cylinder | — | std |
| Illuminated sun visor | — | std |
| IMG skin front upper door trim | — | std |
| Interior Door Handles - Body Color | std | — |
| Leather wrapped door upper armrest trim | — | std |
| Liquid Chrome Interior Accents | std | — |
| Low density Tricoat Cloth head liner | — | std |
| Metallic paint center fascia panel | — | std |
| Metallic paint dash pad and door trim accents | — | std |
| Overhead front map lamp | — | std |
| Plastic center door trim | — | std |
| Plastic cover door side armrest trim | — | std |
| Plastic lower dash pad | — | std |
| Plastic rear upper door trim | — | std |
| Plastic side garnish armrest trim | — | std |
| Polyurethane wrapped gearshift knob | — | std |
| Polyurethane-wrapped (Metal Paint finish) steering wheel | — | std |
| Rubber Covered Gas & Brake Pedals | std | — |
| Seatback Pockets (passenger side) | std | — |
| Silver metallic paint inside door handles | — | std |
| Steering Wheel - Cruise Controls | std | — |
| Steering Wheel - Tilt & Telescopic | std | — |
| Steering Wheel - Urethane | std | — |
| Trunk Lid Liner | std | — |
| Upper crash pad with in-mold artificial stitch | — | std |
| Manual tilt and telescopic steering column | — | std |
| Sun visor with vanity mirror with LED lights, ticket holder and extension | — | std |
| Front seatback pockets with back panel | — | std |
| Sunvisors w/ Illuminated Vanity Mirrors & extensions | std | — |
| Door Sill Scuff Plates - Plastic | std | — |
| Front and rear door map pockets with bottle holder | — | std |
| Full Cut-pile Carpeting | std | — |
| Rheostat (Dimmer Switch) | — | std |
| 4.2-inch Color TFT LCD Color Super Vision display panel | std | std |
| Day & night rear-view mirror | std | std |
Exterior29 differ · 33 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| LED Headlights (Projector-Type) | std | — |
| 16 x 6.5J Aluminum Alloy wheels w/ 205/65 R16 tires | std | — |
| 16-inch alloy wheels | — | std |
| Black windshield molding, door pillar and frame cover | — | std |
| Body-color outside door handles | — | std |
| Body-color outside mirrors with black base | — | std |
| Body-color side sill molding | — | std |
| Bright chrome DLO front and rear molding | — | std |
| Door Handles - Bodycolor/Chrome | std | — |
| Front Windshield wiper - variable intermittent, speed sensitive | std | — |
| Gloss black rear bumper | — | std |
| Gloss Black Side Rocker Panels | std | — |
| Hyper Silver metallic radiator grille | — | std |
| LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | — | std |
| LED Multi-Focus Reflector (MFR) Head Lights | — | std |
| Outside door handle pocket lighting | — | std |
| Power adjustable heated outside mirrors | — | std |
| Rear Exhaust - Hidden | std | — |
| Single exhaust with simulated dual muffler | — | std |
| Solar Control Glass | std | — |
| Solar control glass (windshield, doors, back window, backlite) | — | std |
| Sport Front Bumper Fascia | std | — |
| Sport Rear Diffuser | std | — |
| Tire Mobility Kit (TMK) | std | — |
| Variable intermittent windshield wipers | — | std |
| Window Surround / DLO Molding - Chrome | std | — |
| LED High Mounted Stop Lamp | — | std |
| Temporary spare tire | — | std |
| Low washer fluid warning system | — | std |
| Acoustic laminated windshield | std | std |
| LED rear combination lamps | std | std |
| Auto light control | std | std |
| Rear-window defroster | std | std |
Powertrain9 differ · 10 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) | — | std |
| 2.5L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) | — | std |
| 8-speed automatic transmission | — | std |
| Auto Engine Control (Vehicle Automatic Shut-Off) | — | std |
| Column Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) | — | std |
| Idle Stop & Go (ISG) | std | — |
| Shift-By-Cable (Console Mounted) | std | — |
| Smartstream 2.5L GDI + MPI DOHC 16-valve Inline 4-cylinder (2,497 cc) - 191 hp @ 6100 rpm / 181 lb. ft. @4000 | std | — |
| Smartstream 8-speed electronic automatic w/OD lock-up torque converter | std | — |
| Drive Mode Select | std | std |
Chassis6 differ · 6 listed
| Feature | Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD |
|---|---|---|
| Front Ventilated disc brakes 12.0" (SE/SEL Sport / Hybrid) / 13.6" (N Line) | std | — |
| High Performance Damper (HPD) shock absorbers | — | std |
| MacPherson Strut front suspension w/ Stabilizer Bar and Gas Shock Absorber | std | — |
| Motor-Driven Power Steering - Column-mounted | std | — |
| Multi-link rear suspension w/ Stabilizer Bar and Gas Shock Absorber | std | — |
| Rear Solid disc brakes 11.2" (SE/SEL Sport / Hybrid) / 12.8" (N Line) | std | — |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ. Wording is the manufacturer's own.
Safety record
NHTSA recalls, complaints, NCAPHyundai Sonata
Safety Signal 94 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★★
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 6 · 2 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (3), Forward Collision Avoidance (2), Tires (1)
Top recalls
- moderate Electrical System 26V047000 · 41,651 vehicles
Kia K5
Safety Signal 97 A
NHTSA overall ★★★★★
Frontal / side / rollover ★★★★☆ / ★★★★★ / ★★★★☆
Recalls 1
Owner complaints 14 · 1 crashes · 0 fires
Most complained about Unspecified (5), Engine (5), Electrical System (3)
Top recalls
- minor Electrical System 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
Ownership
EPA, manufacturer warranty| Hyundai SonataSE FWD | Kia K5LXS FWD | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $27,450 (base trim) | $27,490 (base trim) |
| Price range across trims | $27,450 – $38,250 7 trims | $27,490 – $34,990 5 trims |
| Powertrains | HEV, GAS | GAS |
| EPA configuration compared | Sonata Hybrid Blue | K5 w/Stop-Start |
| Combined mpg / MPGe | 51 | 30 |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $1,300 | $2,250 |
| EV range | — | — |
| Basic warranty | — | — |
| Powertrain warranty | — | — |
| Roadside assistance | — | — |
Common questions
Source: EPA, NHTSA and manufacturer press kitsWhich is better, the 2026 Hyundai Sonata or the 2026 Kia K5?
The Hyundai Sonata wins clearly, 97.9 to 91.2, on fuel & range, safety. The Kia K5 is ahead on tech & comfort. On WhichTrim's default weights the 2026 Hyundai Sonata scores 97.9 and the 2026 Kia K5 91.2. The weights are yours to change — move what you care about and the verdict recalculates on the page.
Which is cheaper, the 2026 Hyundai Sonata or the 2026 Kia K5?
The 2026 Hyundai Sonata starts lower — $27,450 against $27,490, a gap of $40 at the trims compared here. Both are manufacturer MSRPs before destination, options and dealer charges.
Which has the better safety record, the 2026 Hyundai Sonata or the 2026 Kia K5?
2026 Hyundai Sonata: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. 2026 Kia K5: 5 NHTSA stars, grade A, 1 recall. Crash ratings come from NHTSA's own tests; the grade is WhichTrim's read of the recall record, and the two can disagree.
What are the biggest differences between the 2026 Hyundai Sonata and the 2026 Kia K5?
Where the 2026 Hyundai Sonata wins: it has drawn fewer owner complaints (6 against 14 filed with NHTSA), costs $950 a year less to fuel on the EPA's estimate ($1,300 against $2,250), and is rated 51 combined against 30 (EPA mpg or MPGe). Where the 2026 Kia K5 answers: it lists 39 standard driver-assist features against 28 and lists more comfort and tech equipment (52 points against 49.5 on the press-kit count, standard = 1, optional = ½). What they share: 5 NHTSA stars, 15.6 cu ft behind the second row, and 191 hp.