Compare the2023 Nissan MaximaVS 2023 Kia K5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Nissan Maxima has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The K5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The Maxima has standard Active Head Restraints, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Head Restraints system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The K5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Both the Maxima and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Nissan Maxima is safer than the Kia K5:

	Maxima	K5
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	252	295
Leg Forces (l/r)	359/238 lbs.	444/276 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	290	373
Neck Injury Risk	31%	50%
Neck Stress	124 lbs.	147 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Nissan Maxima is safer than the Kia K5:

	Maxima	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	27 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	349 lbs.	687 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	275	297
Hip Force	480 lbs.	589 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Maxima, with its five-star roll-over rating, is 1.2% less likely to roll over than the K5, which received a four-star rating.

Warranty

The Maxima’s 5 year corrosion warranty has no mileage limitations, but the corrosion warranty on the K5 runs out after 100,000 miles.

There are over 38 percent more Nissan dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the Maxima’s warranty.

Reliability

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Maxima has a 150-amp alternator. The K5’s standard 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Maxima’s reliability 14 points higher than the K5.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Nissan vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Nissan 2 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 120 more horsepower (300 vs. 180) and 66 lbs.-ft. more torque (261 vs. 195) than the K5 1.6T’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The Maxima’s 3.5 DOHC V6 produces 10 more horsepower (300 vs. 290) than the K5 GT 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Motor Trend the Nissan Maxima is faster than the K5 1.6T 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

	Maxima	K5
Zero to 60 MPH	5.7 sec	7.8 sec
Quarter Mile	14.2 sec	16 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	100.5 MPH	87.4 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Maxima has 2.2 gallons more fuel capacity than the K5 (18 vs. 15.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Transmission

The Maxima has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The K5 doesn’t offer a CVT.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Maxima’s standard brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

	Maxima	K5
Front Rotors	12.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.13 inches	11.2 inches

The Maxima’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the K5 are solid, not vented.

The Maxima stops much shorter than the K5:

	Maxima	K5
70 to 0 MPH	168 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	125 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Maxima has larger tires than the K5 (245/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The Maxima SV’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the K5 LXS’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Maxima SV has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LXS.

The Maxima has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The K5 doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

The Maxima offers an optional full size spare tire so a flat doesn’t interrupt your trip. A full size spare isn’t available on the K5; it requires you to depend on a temporary spare, which limits mileage and speed before replacement.

Suspension and Handling

The Maxima SR handles at .86 G’s, while the K5 EX pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Maxima SR executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the K5 EX (26.6 seconds @ .69 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

Chassis

The Maxima SR/Platinum uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The K5 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Maxima’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. The K5’s useful trunk space is reduced by its intrusive beam hinge.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Maxima offers cargo security. The K5’s non-lockable remote release defeats cargo security.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Maxima. The K5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics

The Maxima’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The K5 does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Maxima’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The K5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the front windows are left open on the Maxima the driver can close them at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the K5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Maxima’s standard speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The K5’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted. The Maxima Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

A power rear sunshade is standard in the Maxima Platinum to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The K5 doesn’t offer a rear sunshade.

When the Maxima SR/Platinum is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The K5’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The Maxima’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The K5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The Maxima has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the K5 GT-Line AWD/EX/GT. The Maxima Platinum also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the K5.

Both the Maxima and the K5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Maxima has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The K5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

Economic Advantages

The Maxima will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Maxima will retain 43.69% to 43.8% of its original price after five years, while the K5 only retains 40.99% to 42.41%.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Nissan Maxima and the Kia K5, based on reliability, safety and performance.