Compare the2026 Acura IntegraVS 2026 Kia K5

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

Safety

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The Acura Integra has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags help 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.

With its standard Collision Mitigation Braking System, the Acura Integra is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia K5, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Integra	K5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	-6 MPH	-3 MPH
25 MPH	-23 MPH	-11 MPH
	Crossing Adult - NIGHT
12 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
12 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-15 MPH
25 MPH Low beams	-22 MPH	-13 MPH
	Parallel Adult - NIGHT
25 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
25 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	AVOIDED
37 MPH Brights	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Brights	2.1 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	-22 MPH	-22 MPH

The Integra Automatic has standard Post-Collision Braking System, 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.

Both the Integra and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front and rear side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear 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 rear parking sensors.

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

	Integra	K5
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	231	295
Neck Compression	19 lbs.	21 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	328	373
Neck Injury Risk	27%	50%

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

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH moderate front offset crash tests on new cars. In this updated test, results indicate that the Integra is much safer than the K5:

	Integra	K5
Overall Evaluation	ACCEPTABLE	POOR
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Chest Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh/hip Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Leg/foot Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Restraints	GOOD	GOOD
	Rear Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck Rating	GOOD	POOR
Chest Rating	GOOD	POOR
Thigh Rating	GOOD	GOOD
Thigh Compression L/R	22/45 pounds	292/67 pounds

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 Acura Integra is safer than the Kia K5:

	Integra	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	60 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	531 lbs.	687 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	14 inches
HIC	236	297

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

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Acura Integra is much safer than the K5:

	Integra	K5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	160	216
Head Peak Forces	no contact	40 G’s
Neck Tension	201 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.14 in	1.85 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.26 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Neck Tension	112 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	112 lbs.	156 lbs.
Shoulder Force	201 lbs.	312 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	602 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

The Acura Integra achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2025 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated moderate overlap front crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The K5 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2025.

Warranty

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Integra first among small premium cars in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The K5 isn’t in the top three in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Acura vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Acura 4 places higher in reliability than Kia.

Engine

The Integra’s standard 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder produces 9 more horsepower (200 vs. 191) and 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (192 vs. 181) than the K5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Integra Type S’ standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 30 more horsepower (320 vs. 290) than the K5 GT’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Acura Integra 1.5 turbo 4-cylinder is faster than the Kia K5 4 cyl. (automatics tested):

	Integra	K5
Zero to 60 MPH	7.7 sec	8.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.6 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	16 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	94 MPH	89 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Integra
FWD	Manual	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	26 city/36 hwy
	Auto	1.5 turbo 4-cyl.	29 city/37 hwy
K5
	Auto	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	Auto	2.5 DOHC 4-cyl.	24 city/33 hwy

Both the Integra and the K5 LX have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. All Integras have a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The Integra 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.

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Acura Integra higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Kia K5 (4 to 6). This means the Integra produces up to 12.1 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the K5 every 15,000 miles.

Transmission

The Integra 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 Integra’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

	Integra	Integra Type S	K5	K5 GT
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	13.8 inches	12 inches	13.6 inches

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Integra has standard Brake Assist to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The K5 doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Integra stops much shorter than the K5:

	Integra	K5
70 to 0 MPH	145 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	100 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	137 feet	142 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Integra has larger standard tires than the K5 (215/50R17 vs. 205/65R16). The Integra Type S’ tires are larger than the largest tires available on the K5 (265/30R19 vs. 245/40R19).

The Integra’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the K5 LXS’ standard 65 series tires. The Integra Type S’ tires have a lower 30 series profile than the K5 GT’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Integra has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LXS.

The Integra 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.

Suspension and Handling

The Integra offers an optional 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 Integra Type S handles at 1.02 G’s, while the K5 GT-Line AWD pulls only .82 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Integra Type S executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 3 seconds quicker than the K5 GT-Line AWD (24.5 seconds @ .76 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

The Integra is 7.3 inches shorter than the K5, making the Integra easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Cargo Capacity

To allow full utilization of available cargo room, the Integra’s hatch uses gas strut supported hinges that don’t intrude into the cargo area. Its intrusive beam hinge reduces the K5’s useful trunk space.

Servicing Ease

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Acura service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks Acura 6th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 45% lower rating, Kia is ranked 27th.

Ergonomics

The Integra’s standard easy entry system glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. An easy entry system costs extra on the K5, and is not available on all models.

The Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S has a standard heads-up display that projects speed and warning 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 Integra’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.

The Integra’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 Integra A-Spec Technology/Type S’ standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

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

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Acura Integra retains 53.28% of its original value after 5 years, more than the 53.11% resale value of the 2025 Kia K5 after five years, which can save the Acura’s owner.

Recommendations

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

The Type S was chosen as a Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” for 2024. The K5 has never been chosen by Car and Driver in their “10Best” issue.

A group of representative automotive journalists from North America selected the Integra as the 2023 North American Car of the Year. The K5 has never been chosen.

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