2024 Kia K5 vs 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid

The 2024 Kia K5 GT-Line was a head-turner during our evaluation, decked out in a striking Passion Red Tint Coat that visibly impressed passing cyclists in Southern California. Despite the widespread unawareness of the K5, it dazzled pedestrians and other drivers alike. The GT-Line, nestled between the base LXS and the more deluxe EX trims, offered a budget-friendly sports sedan option with base prices ranging from $25,390 to $31,790, plus a $1,125 destination charge.

Our test car included extras like the special paint, Premium Package, Panoramic Sunroof Package, floor mats, and a carpeted trunk mat, bringing the as-tested price to an appealing $30,530. While the cabin featured some inexpensive-looking plastic, the overall interior design was exceptional. The metallic trim, robust transmission shifter, and fine detailing worked harmoniously to offset any concerns about the quality of materials employed.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid, with options spanning Sport, EX-L, Sport-L, and Touring trims, had a different aesthetic appeal. The base price ranged from $32,895 to $38,890, excluding a $1,095 destination charge. This model boasted a cleaner, more technical look post-its 2023 redesign. Our Touring test vehicle, adorned in Canyon River Blue metallic paint with a black leather interior, carried an MSRP of $39,985.

On the inside, the Honda Accord Touring mitigated the dark tone with a gray headliner, metallic finishes, and artful mesh-trimmed air vents. However, parts of the cabin sported shiny plastics that seemed out of place in a $40,000 vehicle. Nevertheless, it showcased an ‘Acura Lite’ appeal, making the interior feel sophisticated overall.

The 2024 Kia K5 delivered its power through a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine on most trims, offering 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. Paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, it promised efficient performance. The GT model, exclusive with front-wheel drive, boasted a potent 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 lb-ft from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm, coupled with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Driving modes included Smart, Normal, Sport, and Custom, with an extra Snow mode for AWD, and Sport+ with launch control exclusive to the GT. Despite the sporty aspirations, our GT-Line test vehicle, unfortunately, didn’t meet its official EPA fuel economy estimate of 31 mpg combined, returning merely 24.5 mpg over nearly 300 miles.

Conversely, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid manifested its performance through a two-motor hybrid system pairing a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with two electric motors. This setup yielded 204 horsepower and 247 lb-ft of torque, available instantly. The Accord Hybrid, weighing around 3,500 pounds, favored city driving with zippy acceleration from stops and remarkable fuel efficiency, returning 43.1 mpg in combined driving during our tests.

Despite the simulated gear changes to mimic a traditional transmission, Honda’s system worked fluidly, creating a normal driving experience. The Accord Hybrid's driving dynamics impressed with a perfect blend of ride comfort and adept handling, making daily driving an enjoyable experience.

Both the 2024 Kia K5 and Honda Accord Hybrid excelled in form and function, each offering unique interior benefits. The K5 featured a comfortable and well-designed interior, significantly aided by GT-Line’s SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts, though the full SynTex could be sticky. The driver’s seat offered 10-way power adjustment, and while the passenger’s seat had manual height adjustability in all trims, EX and GT trims added a 10-way power passenger seat.

The K5’s dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats in all but the base trim improved overall comfort. Despite a bit of restraint on rear headroom with the panoramic sunroof, rear seat legroom was generous. Storage areas were abundant but sometimes noisy when carrying loose items. The cargo area measured 16 cubic feet, and the Smart Trunk function was particularly handy.

The Accord Hybrid surpassed with its comfort focus, although taller individuals found the driver’s seat room insufficient. Every trim included a 10-way power driver’s seat, with higher trims adding leather and heated front seats. Ventilated front seats and heated outboard rear seats were exclusive to the Touring trim.

Tall passengers enjoyed excellent rear legroom and headroom, complemented by the supportive rear cushions and perfect backrest angle. The Touring trim’s rear air vents and USB ports enhanced passenger satisfaction further. The cargo space was slightly more accommodating at 16.7 cubic feet, offering superior overall capacity.

The 2024 Kia K5 featured an impressive infotainment suite with an 8-inch touchscreen system in the LXS trim, upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher models. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard across all trims, wirelessly available in the LXS but requiring USB connections in higher trims. The larger display offered additional features like navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services, which included various remote functions and safety alerts.

In contrast, the 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid offered a more extensive technology package with a 10.2-inch digital instrumentation display coupled with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with Alexa Built-in and HondaLink subscription services with Wi-Fi hotspot access, catered to tech-savvy drivers. The Touring trim added a 12-speaker Bose sound system, 6-inch head-up display, and Google Built-in features.

Despite issues with the Google Assistant and Alexa, falling back on Apple CarPlay provided a smooth user experience. The Accord’s digital instrumentation, though less visually engaging, excelled in delivering practical information clearly.

Kia's 2024 K5 provided a comprehensive suite of advanced safety features under Kia Drive Wise. Standard features included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, active blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance, with additional safety enhancements available as upgrades. Notably, the K5’s Highway Driving Assist (HDA) offered a refined semi-autonomous driving experience, though the vehicle received lower ratings in more challenging IIHS tests for frontal and side impact.

The 2024 Honda Accord Hybrid excelled in safety with a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS. Honda Sensing, the carmaker’s suite of driver-assistance features, included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. Advanced features in higher trims included low-speed automatic braking and parking sensors. The technology performed well except under challenging sun glare conditions, making the Accord adept at both avoiding and surviving collisions.