Kia K5 vs Volkswagen Jetta
Side-by-side comparison from manufacturer specifications, NHTSA safety data, and live dealer listings.
Vehicles
Vehicles
2026 Volkswagen Jetta
Overview
| Spec | Kia K5LXS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Selected trim | LXS | S |
| Body style | Sedan | Sedan |
| Drivetrain | front wheel drive | front wheel drive |
| Fuel type | regular unleaded | regular unleaded |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic | 8-speed shiftable automatic |
| Engine type | gas | gas |
| Model year | 2026 | 2026 |
Pricing & market
| Spec | Kia K5LXS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| MSRP | $27,490 | $23,995 (best) |
| Lowest listing price | $14,993 | $7,493 (best) |
| Median listing price | $30,829 | $23,796 (best) |
| Highest listing price | $41,233 | $30,554 (best) |
| For sale now | 505 (best) | 89 |
Fuel economy & range
| Spec | Kia K5LXS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Combined MPG | 30 MPG | 34 MPG (best) |
| City MPG | 26 MPG | 29 MPG (best) |
| Highway MPG | 37 MPG | 40 MPG (best) |
| Fuel tank | 15.8 gal (best) | 13.2 gal |
Performance
| Spec | Kia K5LXS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 191 hp (best) | 158 hp |
| Torque | 181 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft (best) |
| Engine size | 2.5 L (best) | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | I4 | I4 |
Size & capability
| Spec | Kia K5LXS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| Seating | 5 seats | 5 seats |
| Doors | 4 | 4 |
| Cargo volume | 15.6 cu ft (best) | 14.1 cu ft |
| Payload | — | 915 lbs (best) |
| Curb weight | 3,230 lbs | 2,998 lbs (best) |
| Ground clearance | 5.3 in | 5.5 in (best) |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in (best) | 105.7 in |
| Length | 193.1 in (best) | 186.5 in |
| Width | 73.2 in (best) | 70.8 in |
| Height | 56.9 in | 57.7 in (best) |
Safety & recalls
| Spec | Kia K5LXS | Volkswagen JettaS |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA overall | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ (best) | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Frontal crash (passenger) | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (driver) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side crash (passenger) | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Side pole | 5 / 5 ★ | 5 / 5 ★ |
| Rollover | 4 / 5 ★ | 4 / 5 ★ |
| Open recalls (YMM scope) | 1 | 1 |
Highlighted values indicate the better figure for that spec when a clear winner exists. Specs reflect the selected trim for each vehicle. Drag a vehicle header to reorder columns. MSRP and specifications are manufacturer data; listing prices and inventory come from live dealer listings. Safety ratings are from NHTSA.
Trim overview
All available trims with MSRP. The trim selected above is highlighted; comparison specs use that selection.
| Trim | Kia K5 | Volkswagen Jetta |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | LXS $27,490 MSRP(Currently comparing) | S $23,995 MSRP(Currently comparing) |
| 2 | GT-Line $28,490 MSRP | Sport $25,305 MSRP |
| 3 | GT-Line $30,090 MSRP | SE $26,985 MSRP |
| 4 | GT $33,590 MSRP | SEL $29,995 MSRP |
| 5 | EX $34,990 MSRP | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
| 6 | — | Autobahn $33,745 MSRP |
Live inventory
Kia K5505 for sale
See all
Used2023 Kia K5
GT-Line
Sapphire Blue•black21,589 mi$24,996Curry INEOS Grenadier
Danbury, CT
New2026 Kia K5
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Snow White Pearl•Black10 mi$32,336Sewell KIA
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New2026 Kia K5
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Snow White Pearl•Black10 mi$32,057Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia K5
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Runway Red•Black13 mi$32,057Sewell KIA
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New2026 Kia K5
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Snow White Pearl•Black14 mi$32,057Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
New2026 Kia K5
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Interstellar Gray•Black271 mi$28,533Sewell KIA
Midland, TX
Volkswagen Jetta89 for sale
See all
Used2024 Volkswagen Jetta
SE
Rising Blue Metallic58,656 mi$21,488Tadd Jenkins Auto Sales Idaho Falls
Idaho Falls, ID
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,363Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Pyrite Silver Metallic•Black13 mi$24,793Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T S
Platinum Gray Metallic•Black15 mi$24,549Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Pure White•Black15 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
New2026 Volkswagen Jetta
1.5T Sport
Deep Black Pearl•Black12 mi$26,094Lou Sobh Volkswagen of Athens
Bogart, GA
Kia K5 vs Volkswagen Jetta FAQ
- Which is better: 2026 Kia K5 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- It depends on priorities. OpenDealer compares 2026 Kia K5 vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta on MSRP, fuel economy, horsepower, seating, towing, NHTSA safety ratings, and live market prices so you can weigh the tradeoffs.
- Which costs less: 2026 Kia K5 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- Based on starting MSRP, the 2026 Volkswagen Jetta starts lower at $23,995. Live Kia K5 listings start at $14,993. Live Volkswagen Jetta listings start at $7,493.
- Which has better startingMsrp: 2026 Kia K5 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on startingMsrp in this comparison (23,995).
- Which has better combinedMpg: 2026 Kia K5 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Volkswagen Jetta leads on combinedMpg in this comparison (34).
- Which has better horsepower: 2026 Kia K5 or 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- The 2026 Kia K5 leads on horsepower in this comparison (290).
- How do the NHTSA safety ratings compare for 2026 Kia K5 vs 2026 Volkswagen Jetta?
- NHTSA overall crash-test ratings in this comparison: Kia K5 (5/5 NHTSA overall); Volkswagen Jetta (5/5 NHTSA overall).