2025 Kia K4 vs 2024 Toyota Prius

If the disparity between your income and the cost of living is getting you down, but you need a new set of wheels, consider the 2024 Prius. The Prius recently won the 2024 World Car Design of the Year, carries up to five people, and holds up to 23.8 cubic feet of cargo behind its back seat. All-wheel drive (AWD) and a plug-in hybrid powertrain are available, and the Prius gets up to 57 mpg in combined driving. Prices start at less than $30,000.

Verdict: The 2024 Toyota Prius is the right car for lots of people. Blending intriguing design with comfortable front seats and a practical interior at an appealing price, the Prius is perfect for daily driving and will save you plenty of money at the gas pump.

Kia’s new compact sedan replaces the oft-overlooked Kia Forte, an option that traded on value more than merit. Although the Forte provided practical packaging and decent performance (particularly in GT trim), shoppers driving home in a Forte were usually doing so because it was cheaper, rather than better, than the competition. With a revamped design and an impressive suite of standard tech, the new 2025 Kia K5 doubles down on the Forte’s fortes–particularly cargo space–while adding attractive features and retaining fuel efficiency and an affordable price tag.

Verdict: The 2025 Kia K4 is better than the outgoing Kia Forte. It offers more impressive tech, more standard safety features, more passenger space, and more cargo space. It’s still not quite as satisfying to drive as the segment leader, but with a starting price hovering around $22,000, it’s a far sight less expensive, too.