The Honda Accord vs Kia K5: Which Delivers a Superior Experience?

If you’re shopping for a midsize sedan that’s a true joy to be inside, the Honda Accord and Kia K5 might be on your list of vehicles to take for a test drive. Considering that their MSRPs are just about neck-and-neck, and they both come from brands known for making stylish and comfortable vehicles with solid performance at reasonable prices, it wouldn’t be surprising if it came down to these two for you. So, how will you choose? It really comes down to the details.

We think that if you’re considering buying a Kia K5 or a ​​Honda Accord for sale in Rochester, you deserve to know about the little things that might not be apparent until you’ve already spent weeks on the road in your model. We took a close look at these two midsize sedans, and we found that the 2024 Honda Accord has a few perks that the K5 doesn’t, and if you spend a lot of time on the road, these small differences will make a big difference.

If you’ll be cruising around Rochester with adult passengers––or teenagers who are growing faster than they have any right to––then you’ll want those rear-seat passengers to be comfortable. They’ll appreciate it if you get the Accord over the K5 because the Honda boasts 40.8 inches of rear-seat legroom, while the Kia has just 35.2 inches. That’s 5.6 extra inches of legroom in the Accord––nearly half a foot. For your tall passengers, that’s going to make a huge difference.

The extra rear legroom in the Accord will even make a difference for you, the driver, and your front-seat passenger, so you won’t be asked to scoot your seats up as much to make room for backseat passengers. There’s nothing worse than driving with your knees banging up against your steering wheel because you have to make room for a tall backseat passenger. Skip the leg cramps and the complaints about tight quarters and get the Accord.

The Accord also has a larger trunk than the K5. The Accord’s cargo volume is 16.7 cu.ft. while the K5 has a flat 16 cu.ft., so you’re getting over half a cubic foot more space in the Accord for your stuff and your passenger’s stuff. It might not sound like much, but when you’re packing that trunk to the gills for a weekend road trip, you’ll notice the difference––especially if you’re hoping to keep the cabin clear of clutter and want to fit everything in the trunk.

Let’s be honest: when it comes to true luxury in a seat, it’s got to be leather. There are plenty of great synthetic options out there. In fact, the K5 has solid fake leather with its SynTex seat trim. But there’s no denying that feeling you get when you smell genuine leather and slide onto a quality leather seat. There’s no denying that it looks more distinguished than any of the imposter materials. Additionally, leather tends to be more durable than fake leather, and it tends to breathe better. So, if you’re trying to avoid that uncomfortable sticky seat feeling, opt for real leather.

If you want leather trim seats––maybe to impress clients or dates, or even just to treat yourself––then you’ll need to get the 2024 Accord. This luxury feature comes standard on three of the Accord’s six trims, and is paired with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob for added style. If you opt for the top trim, the Accord even offers heated rear seats––something that you won’t get on any trim of the K5.

This is a major benefit of the Accord, and it might seal the deal for you: only the Accord is available with a hybrid powertrain. That’s right, the K5 is only available with a traditional gas engine powertrain. So, how does a hybrid powertrain contribute to rider enjoyment? Well, for starters, hybrid powertrains are quieter than traditional gas engines, so if you have riders who like to nap, hear music with clarity, or just sit alone with their thoughts, they’ll find the inside of the Accord Hybrid quieter than any K5.

By the way, both of these models happen to boast an available 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. But wouldn’t it be a shame if the sounds of a gas engine were interfering with some of those music notes or podcast interviews as you ride around Rochester? If you want to make the most of that great sound system, get the ultra-quiet Accord Hybrid. Even if you don’t opt for the top trim, the middle trims of the Accord have an eight-speaker setup, while the K5 only has six speakers if you don’t get the Bose option.

There’s also the matter of fuel stops. Depending on the age of your passengers (for example, little kids), you might not have riders who tolerate frequent gas stops. Young passengers find these to be a nuisance and a bore––adult passengers can see them as a timesuck if they’re on a tight schedule. The 2025 Honda Accord Hybrid won’t call for many gas stops because it has an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 51 MPG in the city and 44 MPG on the highway.^[a] The K5 tops out at 27 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. So you’re just going to find yourself at the pump more in the K5. Also, for reference, the Accord’s traditional gas engine option still does better than the K5, with an EPA-estimated 29 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway. ^[a] If you’re looking to cut back on fuel costs and gas stops, the Accord is the way to go.

We have a feeling we might’ve convinced you by now that the Honda Accord delivers quite a bit more value than the Kia K5. And if we haven’t convinced you, come pay us a visit, and we can show you its many other great perks. We’re confident that the Honda Accord is an excellent choice for drivers looking for a truly enjoyable experience for themselves and their passengers. The Accord is available in a number of trims, each one appealing to a different driving style. Whether you want something basic but solid, something more performance-forward, or something luxurious, we’ll pair you with your perfect Accord. Plus, it comes in four hybrid trims, each of which boasts striking styling, excellent infotainment, and inspired performance.

We did the research for you so you could get on with purchasing your vehicle, and the Accord is just superior to the K5 for rider experience. The members of our team are excited to help you find your Accord, and our finance team is prepared to put together a lease or loan that lets you drive home in your Accord on a comfortable monthly payment today. From students at the University of Rochester to young parents with growing families to retirees, we’ve helped Rochester residents from every walk of life find and finance a Honda they love.