Kia K5 vs Toyota Camry
Midsize sedans · head to head, 2021–2027
The Kia K5 and Toyota Camry were both sold for 7 model years (2021–2027). Among the K5's own years, no year clearly stands out as the best bet; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025. Among the Camry's own years, its best bet is 2017; no year to avoid; the newest year rated a good buy is 2025.
Kia K5
Sedan · 2021–2027
- Best bet no standout year
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
- Be careful 2023
Toyota Camry
Sedan · 2010–2027
- Best bet 2017
- Newest good buy 2025
- Avoid none
How to read this: each model's verdicts compare that model's own years with each other (serious owner complaints per car on the road against that model's usual year, using New York registrations). They are not a reliability ranking of one model against the other, so a good-buy K5 year says nothing about whether it beats a Camry. (How we judge.)
Year by year, side by side
| Year | Kia K5 | Toyota Camry | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Not rated | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2026 | TOO NEWOnly 1.1 years of owner reports | Not rated | Side by side |
| 2025 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.3× usual, mostly structure and collision avoidance | Side by side |
| 2024 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.9× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.5× usual | Side by side |
| 2023 | CAREFULSerious complaints 1.8× usual, mostly fuel system and structure | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2022 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.3× usual | Side by side |
| 2021 | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.2× usual | GOOD BUYSerious complaints 1.0× usual | Side by side |
Each chip rates that year against the same model's other years. Tap a chip for the year's details; "Side by side" compares both models that year, trim by trim.
Compare any year, trim by trim
2026: the newest shared year with full data, at a glance
Newer years (up to 2027) have thinner price and equipment data for one or both models, so this table uses 2026. Use "Compare any year" above for the others.
| 2026 Kia K5 | 2026 Toyota Camry | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict (vs the model's own years) | TOO NEW | Not rated |
| Starting price (MSRP range) | $27,490 to $34,990 base price by trim, 4 trims | $29,300 to $35,500 base price by trim, 5 trims |
| Engines and horsepower | 2.5L 4-cyl 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | 2.5L 4-cyl hybrid, 184 hp |
| Fuel economy (EPA combined) | 27–30 mpg | 43–51 mpg |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Third row | No | No |
| Cargo behind last row | — | — |
| NHTSA crash rating | 5 of 5 stars | 5 of 5 stars |
| Recalls · owner complaints (NHTSA) | 1 · 13 | 0 · 0 |
Sources: OpenSpec and the makers' equipment guides, NHTSA vPIC, EPA and NHTSA ratings. Cargo, towing and bed length rows appear when we have them. "—": not in our data. Compare every 2026 trim →
Key features: base trim vs top trim
| K5 LXS lowest price, $27,490 | K5 EX highest price, $34,990 | Camry LE lowest price, $29,300 | Camry XSE highest price, $35,500 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Adaptive cruise control | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Blind-spot warning | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Heated front seats | — | Standard | Optional | Standard |
| Ventilated front seats | — | Standard | — | Optional |
| Sunroof or moonroof | — | Standard | Optional | Optional |
| 360-degree camera | — | Standard | — | Optional |
| Remote start | Standard | Standard | Standard | Standard |
"Standard" and "Optional" are for that trim as the 2026 data lists it (a package or option adds an "Optional" item); "—": not verified in our sources, never a guess. The cheapest and most expensive trim of each model; every trim is on the model's 2026 page (K5, Camry).
Known fixes and extended coverage
Kia K5
8 manufacturer programs on file: 2 extended coverage, 6 repair programs.
- Extended coverage VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC307) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2021-2022 MY K5 vehicles, manufactured from February 23,… (SC307, 2021–2022 models)
- Extended coverage Extended use of the HVAC at high fan speeds may cause damage to the multi-fuse terminals for the HVAC blower motor circuit, which can cause the blower motor to become inoperative, resulting in reduced heat and air conditioning airflow… (WTY037, 2021–2022 models)
Toyota Camry
24 manufacturer programs on file: 16 extended coverage, 8 repair programs.
- Extended coverage Repair is Now Available Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint. (2011–2017 models)
- Extended coverage These reports indicate that vehicles with these specific paint colors, applied during the vehicle manufacturing process, may experience paint peeling on exterior metal body panels. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the… (2011–2017 models)
- Extended coverage Customer Support Program ZKG ? (Z3G, 2012–2017 models)
- Extended coverage CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZKG Multiple Models and Model Years Vehicles Painted with Blizzard Pearl (070) or Super White (040) Paint Color Coverage for Peeling of Factory-Applied Paint (2012–2017 models)
From manufacturer bulletins filed with NHTSA, counted per program. A count is how many programs exist, not how good or bad a model is: a maker that extends coverage is paying for a known problem. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.
Which should you buy?
- Buying used, years both are rated a good buy: 2021–2022, 2024–2025. In those years, choose on price, size and features.
- Years to skip: neither model has a year we rate avoid.
- Newest year rated a good buy: K5 2025; Camry 2025.
- Third row: neither has one in 2026.
- Lower starting price in 2026: the K5, from $27,490 against $29,300. Prices are the maker's listed base prices, not what dealers charge.
- Best EPA combined rating in 2026: Camry at 51 mpg (K5: 30), for the most efficient version of each.
- Before you buy either: run the VIN for open recalls and ask the dealer whether the extended-coverage repairs above were done.
Rules applied to the data on this page: no overall winner is declared, because our verdicts compare each model with itself.