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Kia K5 vs. Kia Forte

iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Kia K5 and Kia Forte contrasts the two cars across a broad spectrum of vehicle specifications to determine which car is better. In addition to comparing pricing and specs, iSeeCars uses all the ratings, rankings, and insights from its comprehensive analyses of each vehicle model, including calculations of reliability, safety, depreciation, value retention, and the vehicle's projected lifetime recalls (based on analyzing over 25 billion data points). This in-depth evaluation is used to identify which vehicle represents a better overall choice for shoppers who are considering both the Kia K5 and the Kia Forte.

When comparing the Kia K5's and the Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the Kia K5 has the advantage in the areas of interior volume and base engine power. The Kia Forte has the advantage in the areas of new vehicle base pricing, typical lower range of pricing for one- to five-year-old used cars, and resale value. Based on this comparison of the Kia K5's and the Kia Forte's specifications and ratings, the Kia Forte is a better car than the Kia K5.

Pricing: A used 2026 Kia K5 ranges from $29,328 to $34,788 while a used 2024 Kia Forte is priced between $16,601 to $23,988. For a new model, the Kia K5's price is between $28,490 and $39,559, with the Kia Forte priced between $20,016 and $26,625.

Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Kia K5 loses 46.9 percent of its value and the Kia Forte loses 39.3 percent of its value. This means the Kia Forte retains 7.6 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Kia K5.

Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Kia K5’s base engine makes 191 horsepower, and the Kia Forte base engine makes 147 horsepower.

Passenger Space Comparison: The Kia K5, a midsize car, has the advantage of offering more interior volume, reflected in more front head room, front shoulder room, front leg room, rear head room, rear shoulder room, and cargo space. The Kia Forte, a compact car, has the advantage in the area of rear leg room.

Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, the Kia K5 has higher safety ratings than the Kia Forte, with an average rating of 5 out of 5 Stars compared to 4 out of 5 Stars.

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Model & Pricing
Kia K5
Kia Forte

2026 Kia K5
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Kia K5 for Sale

2024 Kia Forte
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Kia Forte for Sale

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

28490 - 39559

Starting MSRP:

27390

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)

27345

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)

27300 - 27390

New Car Pricing

Asking Price:

20016 - 26625

Starting MSRP:

19990

Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Compact Cars)

26555

Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Compact Cars)

17795 - 45665

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

32511

Price Range:

29328 - 34788

Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)

32511

Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)

32511 - 32511

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

# Good or Great Deals:

Used Car Pricing

Avg Used Car Price:

19356

Price Range:

16601 - 23988

Category Avg Price:
(Compact Cars)

26717

Category Avg Price Range:
(Compact Cars)

15053 - 44102

# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:

1304

Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:

25515

# Good or Great Deals:

388

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

12966

Depreciation %:

0.47338325

Resale Value $:

14424

Residual Value %:

0.5266167500000001

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Midsize Cars)

0.46625448

Category Depreciation Range:
(Midsize Cars)

0.46625331 - 0.47338325

5-year Depreciation

Depreciation $:

7921

Depreciation %:

0.3962452

Resale Value $:

12069

Residual Value %:

0.6037547999999999

Typical Category Depreciation %:
(Compact Cars)

0.40004783

Category Depreciation Range:
(Compact Cars)

0.3962452 - 0.45118908

Kia K5 Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

Not available

Reliability:

Not available

Retained Value:

8.0 / 10

Safety:

8.0 / 10

Kia Forte Scores & Rankings

Overall Score:

7.7 / 10

Reliability:

7.6 / 10

Retained Value:

8.5 / 10

Safety:

7.0 / 10



iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia K5

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

Typical Category Life Expectancy:

N/A

Category Life Expectancy Range:

N/A

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia Forte

Avg Life Expectancy (years):

10.0

Typical Category Life Expectancy:
(Compact Cars)

11.1

Category Life Expectancy Range:
(Compact Cars)

7.8 - 15.2

Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:

0.115



Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

Typical Category Recalls:

N/A

Category Range for Recalls:

N/A

Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls

Expected Lifetime Recalls:

2.421398104720195

Typical Category Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

3.6

Category Range for Recalls:
(Compact Cars)

1.6 - 22.6

Kia K5 Rankings

Best Midsize Cars for Tall People

1 / 13

Most Comfortable Midsize Cars

1 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Horsepower

5 / 13

Best Gas Mileage Midsize Cars

6 / 13

Midsize Cars with Best Resale Value

6 / 13

Most Affordable Midsize Cars

6 / 7

Safest Midsize Cars

9 / 13

Midsize Cars with the Most Legroom

10 / 13

Kia Forte Rankings

Most Affordable Small Cars

4 / 22

Most Reliable Small Cars Under $20k

4 / 15

Best Small Cars for the Money

5 / 22

Most Comfortable Small Cars

10 / 37

Best Gas Mileage Small Cars

11 / 37

Small Cars with the Most Legroom

11 / 37

Best Small Cars Under $20k

11 / 15

Most Reliable Small Cars

13 / 37

Best Manual Transmission Small Cars

13 / 17

Small Cars with the Most Horsepower

15 / 37

Best Small Cars for Tall People

19 / 37

Small Cars with Best Resale Value

21 / 37

Best Small Cars

25 / 37

Safest Small Cars

25 / 37

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Body Styles

Sedan

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Available Drivetrain Options

Gasoline

Kia K5 Trim Levels

EX, GT, GT-Line, LXS

Kia Forte Trim Levels

GT, GT-Line, LX, LXS

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty Information

Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:

5 years / 60000 miles

Warranty, Powertrain:

10 years / 100000 miles

Warranty, Roadside Assistance:

5 years / 60000 miles

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

Not yet available

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

Not yet available

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Safety Ratings

NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:

5 out of 5 Stars

2025 NHTSA Rollover Rating:

4 out of 5 Stars

IIHS Safety Rating:

Not yet available

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

191 hp @ 6100 rpm

Torque:

181 foot-lbs @ 4000 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.059 hp per pound

Base Drivetrain Specs

Horsepower:

147 hp @ 6200 rpm

Torque:

132 foot-lbs @ 4500 rpm

Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):

0.053 hp per pound

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2.5 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Automatic

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD / AWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


Not yet available

Range (city/hwy):

Not yet available

Recommended Fuel Type:

Not yet available

Engine Specifications

Engine Size:

2 liters

Engine Configuration:

Inline

Number of Cylinders:

4

Transmission:

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)

Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:

FWD

EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):


28 / 39 / 32

Range (city/hwy):

392 / 546 miles

Recommended Fuel Type:

Regular Unleaded

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Standard

Alloy wheels:

Standard

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Standard

Navigation System:

Standard

Parking Sensors:

Standard

Power Lift Gate:

Standard

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Standard

Satellite radio:

Standard

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

Available

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Standard/Optional Features

Adaptive Cruise Control:

Available

Alloy wheels:

Available

Android Auto:

Standard

Apple CarPlay:

Standard

Bench Seats:

Standard

Bluetooth:

Standard

Keyless Entry:

Standard

Keyless Ignition:

Available

Navigation System:

Available

Parking Sensors:

Available

Power Lift Gate:

Available

Power outlet:

Standard

Roadside assistance:

Available

Satellite radio:

Available

Voice Recognition:

Standard

Cooled/Ventilated Seats:

Available

Heated Seats

Available

Heated Steering Wheel:

N/A

Leather Upholstery:

Available

Paddle Shifters:

Available

Sunroof/Moonroof:

Available

Wireless Smartphone Charging:

Available

Air Suspension:

N/A

Automatic Parking:

N/A

Captain's seat:

N/A

Front Bench Seats:

N/A

Internet Radio:

N/A

Massage Seats:

N/A

Panoramic Sunroof/Moonroof

N/A

Quad Seats:

N/A

Roof Rack:

N/A

Trailer Hitch:

N/A

Wifi:

N/A

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Standard

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Standard

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

Available

Safety Features

Backup camera:

Standard

Blind Spot Monitoring:

Available

Driver Attention Monitoring:

Standard

Forward Collision Warning:

Standard

Lane Departure Warning:

Standard

Lane Keeping Assist:

Standard

Pedestrian Detection:

Standard

Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:

Available

Rear Seat Reminder:

Standard

360-Degree Camera:

N/A

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

40.2 inches

Front Leg Room:

46.1 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

58 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.8 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.2 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Cargo Space:

15.6 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

121.3 cubic feet

Interior Dimensions

Front Head Room:

38.8 inches

Front Leg Room:

42.2 inches

Front Shoulder Room:

56.1 inches

Rear Head Room:

37.5 inches

Rear Leg Room:

35.7 inches

Rear Shoulder Room:

55.3 inches

Cargo Space:

15.3 cubic feet

Overall Interior Volume:

96.0 cubic feet

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

3230 lbs

Width:

73.2 inches

Height:

56.9 inches

Length:

193.1 inches

Wheelbase:

112.2 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Exterior Dimensions

Curb Weight:

2769 lbs

Width:

70.9 inches

Height:

56.5 inches

Length:

182.7 inches

Wheelbase:

106.3 inches

Ground Clearance:

5.3 inches

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

16.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

painted aluminum alloy

Tire Size:

P205/65R16

Standard Wheel/Tire Information

Wheel Size:

15.0 x 6.5 inches

Wheel Type:

steel

Tire Size:

195/60R15

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Interstellar Gray

White

Snow White Pearl

Exterior Colors

Black

Aurora Black Pearl

Gray

Gravity Gray

White

Clear White

Interior Colors

Black

Black

Interior Colors

Black

Black

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