2024 Kia K5 vs 2023 Nissan Altima

The 2023 Nissan Altima continued Nissan's long-standing tradition in the family car segment, offering a sizable four-door sedan even as the Maxima faced discontinuation. The Altima's updated front styling, featuring a revised grille and new wheel designs, enhanced its visual appeal, particularly in higher trims with 19-inch wheels. However, these stylish wheels were prone to curb damage due to their flush design. In Canada, the Altima was available in four trims: S, SR, SR Premium, and Platinum, and stood out as the only mid-size sedan with standard all-wheel drive. Despite its appealing interior, the Altima's use of hard plastics and simulated wood trim reminded drivers of its mainstream status.

The 2024 Kia K5, on the other hand, turned heads with its striking design, especially in the GT-Line trim painted in Passion Red Tint Coat. Although the K5 had been around since 2021, it remained relatively unknown in North America. The GT-Line trim, positioned as a mid-trim in the U.S. but top of the standard line in Canada, offered more equipment in the Canadian market. The K5's interior design and detailing were impressive, with textured metallic trim and a refined transmission shifter. However, the cabin featured some inexpensive-looking plastics. The K5 GT-Line's pricing was competitive, but its fuel economy fell short of expectations during testing.

The 2023 Nissan Altima in Canada was equipped with a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The standard all-wheel-drive system could deliver up to half of the engine's output to the rear wheels. The Altima's power was adequate, with torque arriving at 3,600 rpm. The CVT was programmed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, and the SR Premium trim featured paddle shifters for added driver engagement. Fuel economy ratings were 9.1 L/100 km in the city, 6.5 on the highway, and 7.9 combined for the base trim, with slightly higher figures for other trims. The Altima's ride was firm, and rear visibility was poor, necessitating reliance on the reversing camera and rear cross-traffic alert system. In mountainous terrain, the Altima displayed commendable grip but suffered from lifeless steering and brake fade.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive was standard in Canada for most trims. The K5 GT model featured a more powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. The K5 GT-Line's fuel economy was rated at 8.3 L/100 km, but real-world testing showed significantly higher consumption. The K5 GT-Line's suspension provided a comfortable ride with impressive control, though the electric steering was mid-tier. The GT-Line's brakes faded during spirited driving, but the car's dynamics were predictable and trustworthy.

The 2023 Nissan Altima's interior was straightforward and comfortable, with controls laid out logically and clear analog gauges. Nissan's Zero Gravity seats provided exceptional comfort, though the leather upholstery was somewhat sticky. The Altima featured dual-zone automatic climate control, a power sunroof, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. However, the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, making entry and exit challenging. Rear seat comfort was good, with ample legroom and headroom. Interior storage was reasonable, but the trunk's 437-litre capacity was smaller than some competitors, and the lack of a grip for closing the lid was inconvenient.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered style, comfort, and utility. The GT-Line trim featured SynTex artificial leather, which could be sticky depending on clothing. The K5 had a 10-way power driver's seat and a manual front passenger seat height adjuster. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control were standard in Canada. The K5's panoramic sunroof was a highlight, though taller adults might find headroom limited. Interior storage was generous, but plastic linings could cause noise. The K5's trunk offered 453 litres of cargo space, with a convenient Smart Trunk function for easy access.

The 2023 Nissan Altima came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, wired Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. A new 12.3-inch touchscreen was available on higher trims, featuring a navigation system, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wired Android Auto. The 12.3-inch system improved user experience with a superior interface and graphics. NissanConnect Services required a subscription, offering remote engine start and SOS calling. The Bose nine-speaker audio system was available on higher trims, performing well for some music genres.

The 2024 Kia K5 featured an 8-inch touchscreen on LX and EX trims, while higher trims had a 10.25-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on lower trims and wired on higher ones. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. Voice recognition was hit-and-miss, so using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended. A wireless phone charging pad was available on all but the base trim, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system was exclusive to the GT trim.

The 2023 Nissan Altima featured the Nissan Safety Shield 360 suite, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. ProPilot Assist, available on higher trims, added adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist. The Altima received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS, though it received a Poor rating in the updated side-impact test.

The 2024 Kia K5 included standard advanced driver-assistance systems like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, Highway Driving Assist, and automatic intersection braking. The K5 received high marks from the NHTSA but low scores in updated IIHS tests for moderate overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.