Nissan Maxima vs. Kia K5
iSeeCars' unbiased and data-driven comparison of the Nissan Maxima and Kia K5 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 Nissan Maxima and the Kia K5.
When we compare the Nissan Maxima's and the Kia K5's specifications and ratings, the Nissan Maxima has the advantage in the area of base engine power. The Kia K5 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 fuel efficiency, resale value and interior volume. Based on this comparison of the Nissan Maxima's and the Kia K5's specifications and ratings, the Kia K5 is a better car than the Nissan Maxima.
Pricing: A used 2023 Nissan Maxima ranges from $21,255 to $36,138 while a used 2023 Kia K5 is priced between $19,416 to $29,971. For a new model, the Nissan Maxima's price is between $42,493 and $47,075, with the Kia K5 priced between $27,068 and $35,051.
Resale/Retained Value: Looking at the 5-year depreciation rate for both models, the Nissan Maxima loses 54.2 percent of its value and the Kia K5 loses 46.9 percent of its value. This means the Kia K5 retains 7.3 percentage points more of its value and has the advantage of higher resale value versus the Nissan Maxima.
Engine Power and Fuel Efficiency Comparison: For engine performance, the Nissan Maxima’s base engine makes 300 horsepower, and the Kia K5 base engine makes 180 horsepower. The Maxima is rated to deliver an average of 24 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 540 miles. The K5 is rated to deliver an average of 31 miles per gallon, with a highway range of 585 miles. This gives the Kia K5 the fuel efficiency and maximum range advantage over the Nissan Maxima. The Maxima uses premium unleaded, and the K5 uses regular unleaded.
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, rear leg room, and cargo space.
Safety Ratings: When comparing crash test ratings from NHTSA, both the Nissan Maxima and the Kia K5 have the same average safety rating of 5 out of 5 Stars.
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
42493 - 47075
Starting MSRP:
38340
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Large Cars)
35622
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Large Cars)
34230 - 38340
New Car Pricing
Asking Price:
27068 - 35051
Starting MSRP:
25290
Category Avg Starting MSRP:
(Midsize Cars)
28753
Category Starting MSRP Range:
(Midsize Cars)
24395 - 43010
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
27340
Price Range:
21255 - 36138
Category Avg Price:
(Large Cars)
30662
Category Avg Price Range:
(Large Cars)
27340 - 33430
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
229
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
46343
# Good or Great Deals:
85
Used Car Pricing
Avg Used Car Price:
24686
Price Range:
19416 - 29971
Category Avg Price:
(Midsize Cars)
25936
Category Avg Price Range:
(Midsize Cars)
18612 - 36529
# Used Cars for Sale Nationally:
803
Avg Mileage of Used Cars for Sale:
55650
# Good or Great Deals:
392
Nissan Maxima Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
7.7 / 10
Reliability:
7.5 / 10
Retained Value:
7.5 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
Kia K5 Scores & Rankings
Overall Score:
Not available
Reliability:
Not available
Retained Value:
8.0 / 10
Safety:
8.0 / 10
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Nissan Maxima
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
7.7
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Large Cars)
7.7
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Large Cars)
7.5 - 9.2
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
0.134
iSeeCars Reliability Insights for Kia K5
Remaining Life Expectancy (years):
Typical Category Remaining Life Expectancy:
(Midsize Cars)
9.4
Category Remaining Life Expectancy Range:
(Midsize Cars)
5.8 - 11.6
Chance of Reaching 200k Miles for a New Car:
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
1.0960732968046396
Typical Category Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.8
Category Range for Recalls:
(Large Cars)
1.1 - 2.8
Expected 30-year Lifetime Recalls
Expected Lifetime Recalls:
4.882769964234767
Typical Category Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
3.1
Category Range for Recalls:
(Midsize Cars)
1.1 - 17.6
Nissan Maxima Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 4Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
2 out of / 2Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
3 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 4Ranking
4 out of / 4Kia K5 Rankings
Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
1 out of / 11Ranking
4 out of / 11Ranking
5 out of / 6Ranking
6 out of / 11Ranking
7 out of / 11Ranking
8 out of / 11Ranking
9 out of / 11Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Body Styles
Sedan
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Available Drivetrain Options
Gasoline
Nissan Maxima Trim Levels
3.5 Platinum, 3.5 SR, 3.5 SV
Kia K5 Trim Levels
EX, GT, GT-Line, LXS
Warranty Information
Warranty, Bumper-to-Bumper:
3 years / 36000 miles
Warranty, Powertrain:
5 years / 60000 miles
Warranty, Roadside Assistance:
3 years / 36000 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
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Safety Ratings
NHTSA Safety Rating (last 5 year average):
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Front Crash Overall Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Side Crash Overall Rating:
5 out of 5 Stars
2026 NHTSA Rollover Rating:
4 out of 5 Stars
IIHS Safety Rating:
Not yet available
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
300 hp @ 6400 rpm
Torque:
261 foot-lbs @ 4400 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.083 hp per pound
Base Drivetrain Specs
Horsepower:
180 hp @ 5500 rpm
Torque:
195 foot-lbs @ 1500 rpm
Power-to-Weight Ratio (higher is better):
0.057 hp per pound
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
3.5 liters
Engine Configuration:
V
Number of Cylinders:
6
Transmission:
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT Automatic)
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
20 / 30 / 24
Range (city/hwy):
360 / 540 miles
Recommended Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded
Engine Specifications
Engine Size:
1.6 liters
Engine Configuration:
Inline
Number of Cylinders:
4
Transmission:
Automatic
Standard/Optional Drivetrain Type:
FWD / AWD
EPA Fuel Economy
(City/Highway/Combined MPG):
27 / 37 / 31
Range (city/hwy):
427 / 585 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
Heated Seats
Standard
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Standard
Navigation System:
Standard
Parking Sensors:
Standard
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Standard
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
Standard
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Power Lift Gate:
N/A
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
N/A
Standard/Optional Features
Adaptive Cruise Control:
Available
Alloy wheels:
Standard
Android Auto:
Standard
Apple CarPlay:
Standard
Bench Seats:
Standard
Bluetooth:
Standard
Heated Seats
Available
Keyless Entry:
Standard
Keyless Ignition:
Standard
Leather Upholstery:
Available
Navigation System:
Available
Parking Sensors:
Available
Power outlet:
Standard
Satellite radio:
Available
Voice Recognition:
Standard
Wifi:
N/A
Cooled/Ventilated Seats:
Available
Heated Steering Wheel:
Available
Paddle Shifters:
Available
Roadside assistance:
Available
Sunroof/Moonroof:
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
Power Lift Gate:
Standard
Quad Seats:
N/A
Roof Rack:
N/A
Trailer Hitch:
N/A
Wireless Smartphone Charging:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
Available
Lane Keeping Assist:
Available
Safety Features
Backup camera:
Standard
Blind Spot Monitoring:
Standard
Driver Attention Monitoring:
Standard
Forward Collision Warning:
Standard
Lane Departure Warning:
Standard
Pedestrian Detection:
Standard
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert:
Standard
Rear Seat Reminder:
Standard
360-Degree Camera:
N/A
Lane Keeping Assist:
Standard
Interior Dimensions
Front Head Room:
39.1 inches
Front Leg Room:
45 inches
Front Shoulder Room:
56.7 inches
Rear Head Room:
36.7 inches
Rear Leg Room:
34.2 inches
Rear Shoulder Room:
55.7 inches
Cargo Space:
14.3 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
98.5 cubic feet
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:
16 cubic feet
Overall Interior Volume:
105.3 cubic feet
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3608 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.5 inches
Length:
192.8 inches
Wheelbase:
109.3 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Exterior Dimensions
Curb Weight:
3148 lbs
Width:
73.2 inches
Height:
56.9 inches
Length:
193.1 inches
Wheelbase:
112.2 inches
Ground Clearance:
5.3 inches
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
18.0 x 8.0 inches
Wheel Type:
aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
245/45R18
Standard Wheel/Tire Information
Wheel Size:
16.0 x 6.5 inches
Wheel Type:
painted aluminum alloy
Tire Size:
P205/65R16
Exterior Colors
Black
Super Black
Blue
Deep Blue Pearl
Gray
Gun Metallic
Red
Scarlet Ember Tintcoat
Silver
Brilliant Silver Metallic
White
Pearl White TriCoat
Exterior Colors
Black
Ebony Black
Blue
Sapphire Blue
Gray
Gravity Gray
Red
Passion Red Tintcoat
Silver
Everlasting Silver
White
Glacial White Pearl
Interior Colors
Black
Charcoal
Brown
Cashmere
Interior Colors
Black
Black
Brown
Not available
