Compare the2025 Volvo S60VS 2025 Kia K5

For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Volvo S60 have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Kia K5 doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

The S60’s pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The K5 doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

The S60 has a standard Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the WHIPS allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. At the same time the pretensioning seatbelts fire, removing slack from the belts. The K5 doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The S60 has standard Post-impact braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The K5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The S60 has standard Volvo On Call, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The K5 doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the S60 and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The S60’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the K5’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

Volvo pays for scheduled maintenance on the S60 for 3 years and 30,000 miles. Volvo will pay for oil changes, tire rotations, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K5.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the S60 has a standard 210-amp alternator. The K5’s 150-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

To reliably start during all conditions and help handle large electrical loads, the S60 has a standard 800-amp battery. The K5’s 760-amp battery isn’t as powerful.

The battery on the S60 is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the S60’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The K5’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

The S60 B5’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 56 more horsepower (247 vs. 191) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 181) than the K5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The S60 T8’s standard 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cylinder hybrid produces 165 more horsepower (455 vs. 290) and 212 lbs.-ft. more torque (523 vs. 311) than the K5 GT’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the S60 B5 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Kia K5 4 cyl.:

	S60	K5
Zero to 30 MPH	3 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	7.3 sec	8.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	3.4 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	15.5 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	95 MPH	89 MPH

On the EPA test cycle the S60 running on electricity gets better mileage than the K5:

			MPGe
S60
	AWD	T8 Electric Motor	74 city/73 hwy
K5
			MPG
	FWD	LXS 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	26 city/37 hwy
		GT-Line/EX 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/36 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

On the EPA test cycle the S60 running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the K5:

			MPG
S60
	FWD	B5 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	27 city/36 hwy
	AWD	B5 2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	25 city/34 hwy
		T8 2.0 turbo/supercharged 4-cyl. Hybrid	30 city/33 hwy
K5
	FWD	GT-Line/EX 2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	25 city/36 hwy
		2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	23 city/33 hwy
	AWD	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

The S60 T8 can travel with zero emissions for 41 miles. The K5 can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the S60’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 S60’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip (not available T8). Kia only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the K5 LX, and doesn’t offer a disable button.

The S60 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The K5 doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

For better stopping power the S60’s brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

	S60	K5
Front Rotors	13.6 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.6 inches	11.2 inches

The S60’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 S60 stops much shorter than the K5:

	S60	K5
70 to 0 MPH	166 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	114 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

For better traction, the S60 has larger tires than the K5 (235/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The S60’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 S60 has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LXS.

The S60 Plus AWD handles at .91 G’s, while the K5 GT-Line AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The S60 AWD executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 2.1 seconds quicker than the K5 GT-Line AWD (25.4 seconds @ .75 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

The S60 is 5 inches shorter than the K5, making the S60 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the S60’s trunk lid uses concealed beam hinges that don’t intrude into the trunk. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the K5’s useful trunk space.

Pressing a button automatically lowers the S60’s optional rear seats, to make changing between passengers and cargo easier. The K5 doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the S60 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 S60. The K5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the S60 has a standard power trunk, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button or just by kicking your foot under the back bumper, completely leaving your hands free. The K5 doesn’t offer a power trunk, so its trunk has to be closed manually.

The S60 has a 2000 lbs. towing capacity. The K5 has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Stability Assist on the S60 uses the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The K5 doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Unlike the driver-only memory seat and mirrors in the K5 EX/GT1, the S60 Ultra has a passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat and outside mirror angle and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.

The S60 Ultra has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The K5 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The S60’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.

If the windows are left open on the S60 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle or from a distance using the remote. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the K5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The S60’s standard Keyless Entry & Drive allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key standard on the K5 doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door.

The S60’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The K5’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are optional on the S60 to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The K5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The S60 offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The K5 doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the S60 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The K5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The S60 also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The S60’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 Volvo S60 has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the K5 EX/GT1.

Both the S60 and the K5 offer available heated front seats. The S60 also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the K5.

Both the S60 and the K5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the S60 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.

The S60 Plus/Ultimate/Polestar’s Park Assist Pilot can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, with the driver only controlling speed with the brake pedal. The K5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.