Compare the2025 Toyota CrownVS 2025 Kia K5

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

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Toyota Crown 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 Toyota Crown 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.

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.

With its standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Crown is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia K5, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Crown	K5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Crossing Child - DAY
12 MPH	AVOIDED	-3 MPH
25 MPH	AVOIDED	-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	AVOIDED	-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	2.4 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	1.8 sec	1.3 sec

The Crown has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies 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.

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

The Crown has standard Safety Connect™, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to 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 Crown and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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 Toyota Crown is safer than the Kia K5:

	Crown	K5
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	179	373
Neck Injury Risk	26.1%	50%
Neck Compression	31 lbs.	58 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 Toyota Crown is safer than the Kia K5:

	Crown	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	32	110
Chest Movement	.7 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	130 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	157	202
Spine Acceleration	54 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	582 lbs.	687 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	293	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 Toyota Crown is much safer than the K5:

	Crown	K5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	132	216
Head Peak Forces	no contact	40 G’s
Neck Tension	223 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	.83 in	1.85 in
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.54 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	ACCEPTABLE	ACCEPTABLE
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Tension	67 lbs.	178 lbs.
Neck Compression	89 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	312 lbs.
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	759 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

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, 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.

There are over 55 percent more Toyota dealers than there are Kia dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Crown’s warranty.

Reliability

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

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 Crown’s reliability 20 points higher than the K5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota second in reliability, above the industry average. With 40 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 8th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota third in overall reliability. Kia is ranked 9th.

Engine

The Crown’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 45 more horsepower (236 vs. 191) than the K5’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder. The Crown Platinum’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 50 more horsepower (340 vs. 290) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (400 vs. 311) than the K5 GT’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the Toyota Crown 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Kia K5 4 cyl.:

	Crown	K5
Zero to 30 MPH	2.9 sec	3.3 sec
Zero to 60 MPH	8 sec	8.6 sec
45 to 65 MPH Passing	4.9 sec	5.8 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	16.6 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	90 MPH	89 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Crown
	AWD	2.5 4-cyl. Hybrid	42 city/41 hwy
		2.4 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid	29 city/32 hwy
K5
	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

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.

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

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.

Brakes and Stopping

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

	Crown	K5
Front Rotors	12.9 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	12.5 inches	11.2 inches

Tires and Wheels

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.

Suspension and Handling

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.

For better maneuverability, the Crown Platinum’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the K5’s (35.4 feet vs. 36 feet).

Cargo Capacity

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

A standard locking glovebox keeps your small valuables safer in the Crown. The K5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Crown Platinum 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.

Ergonomics

The Crown Platinum has a standard heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, navigation instruction and driver assistance information 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 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.

If the windows are left open on the Crown the driver can close them all 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. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the K5 can only close the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Crown’s standard Smart Key System allows you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the engine, 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 Crown’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 Crown Limited/Platinum/Nightshade’s standard wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically according to the amount of rainfall on the windshield.

The Toyota Crown 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.

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

The Crown has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the car heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on 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.

The Toyota Crown has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Kia charges extra for Homelink® on the K5.

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.

Recommendations

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

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