2025 Kia K5 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 has updated the stylish 2025 K5 with new exterior lighting, revised front and rear styling, and redesigned wheels. The only turbocharged version is now the GT sports sedan; other K5 models have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with less real-world driving punch than the previously-standard turbo four. New technology, redesigned dashboard controls, and more standard features are also on the menu, and Kia’s family car remains a good value.

Verdict: Unfortunately, the 2025 Kia K5 still doesn’t offer a hybrid powertrain like its corporate cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, does. It’s also less enjoyable to drive, thanks to this year’s engine swap. However, the new tech impresses, the K5 remains stylish and comfortable, and it costs less than some rivals.