Compare the2026 Toyota CorollaVS 2026 Kia K5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Transmission
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Chassis
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Corolla 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 Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, the Toyota Corolla is better at preventing collisions with pedestrians than the Kia K5, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety:

	Corolla	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	2.5 sec	1.8 sec
37 MPH Low beams	AVOIDED	-22 MPH
Warning Issued-Low beams	2.4 sec	1.3 sec

The Corolla 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.

Both the Corolla 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 and driver alert monitors.

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

	Corolla	K5
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	187	295
Leg Forces (l/r)	330/310 lbs.	444/276 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	356	373
Neck Injury Risk	27%	50%

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 Corolla is safer than the Kia K5:

	Corolla	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	110
Chest Movement	1 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	164 lbs.	190 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	153	202
Spine Acceleration	46 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	635 lbs.	687 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Max Damage Depth	13 inches	14 inches
HIC	254	297
Hip Force	535 lbs.	589 lbs.

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 Corolla is much safer than the K5:

	Corolla	K5
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Structure	GOOD	MARGINAL
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	113	216
Head Peak Forces	no contact	40 G’s
Neck Tension	178 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso	ACCEPTABLE	MARGINAL
Shoulder Deflection	1.22 in	1.85 in
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Max Deflection	1.38 in	1.69 in
Torso Deflection Rate	9 MPH	13 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Pelvis Force	870 lbs.	915 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Neck Compression	22 lbs.	156 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	268 lbs.	312 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	7 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	MARGINAL
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	1294 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD

Warranty

The Corolla’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 Corolla 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 Corolla’s warranty.

Reliability

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 Corolla’s reliability 34 points higher than the K5.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 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 fourth in reliability, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Kia is ranked 11th.

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

As tested in Motor Trend the Toyota Corolla is faster than the Kia K5 4 cyl.:

	Corolla	K5
Zero to 60 MPH	8.1 sec	8.3 sec

Fuel Economy and Range

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

			MPG
Corolla
	FWD	LE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	32 city/41 hwy
		SE/XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/40 hwy
		XSE 2.0 DOHC 4-cyl.	31 city/38 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

Environmental Friendliness

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

Transmission

The Corolla 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

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Corolla has a 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 Corolla stops much shorter than the K5:

	Corolla	K5
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

The Corolla LE’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.

Suspension and Handling

The Corolla handles at .89 G’s, while the K5 GT pulls only .86 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Corolla executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the K5 GT-Line AWD (27.1 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 27.5 seconds @ .61 average G’s).

Chassis

The Toyota Corolla may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 450 pounds less than the Kia K5.

The Corolla is 10.6 inches shorter than the K5, making the Corolla easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

Ergonomics

The Corolla’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 Corolla 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.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Kia K5 isn’t available as a four door hatchback or wagon.

Economic Advantages

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Toyota Corolla retains 68.66% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 53.11% resale value of the 2025 Kia K5 after five years, which can save the Toyota’s owner up to $5753.437052 in depreciation.

Recommendations

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

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Kia K5 by over five to one during 2024.

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