Compare the2023 Toyota CrownVS 2023 Kia K5

The Toyota Crown 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 Crown has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The K5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Crown. But it costs extra on the K5.

Both the Crown and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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 and available around view monitors.

The Toyota Crown weighs 716 to 1158 pounds more than the Kia K5. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts.

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

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Crown for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K5.

There are over 59 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crown’s warranty.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota second in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 15th.

The Crown’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 56 more horsepower (236 vs. 180) than the K5 1.6T’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The Crown Platinum’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 50 more horsepower (340 vs. 290) than the K5 GT 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

On the EPA test cycle the Crown gets better mileage than the K5:

Regenerative brakes improve the Crown’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The K5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the Crown’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. Kia only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the K5 LX.

The Crown 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.

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

For better traction, the Crown has larger tires than the K5 (225/55R19 vs. 205/65R16).

The Crown’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 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 Crown has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LXS. The Crown’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the K5 GT.

The Crown offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The K5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The Crown’s front and rear power windows all 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.

The Crown Limited/Platinum’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield. The K5’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Crown has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the K5 GT-Line AWD/EX/GT. The Crown Limited/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 Crown and the K5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the Crown 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Crown has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the K5 GT-Line/EX/GT offers wireless charging.

The Crown Platinum’s Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The K5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.