{"id":34124,"date":"2025-02-13T15:16:16","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T19:16:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=34124"},"modified":"2025-02-13T15:16:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T19:16:16","slug":"payne-king-camry-vs-the-kia-hyundai-twins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2025\/02\/payne-king-camry-vs-the-kia-hyundai-twins","title":{"rendered":"Payne: King Camry vs. the Kia-Hyundai twins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Oakland County<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 The midsize sedan segment\u2019s perennial sales leader, the Toyota Camry, is winning huzzahs for its comely 2025 makeover. Sultry face, coupe-like roof, all-wheel drive.<\/p>\n

It had to upgrade. Camry has a galloping herd of competitors breathing down its neck.<\/p>\n

Take a look at the Korean tag team \u2014 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Limited and Kia K5 GT \u2014 sitting next to the Camry in my driveway. Chiseled fascias, lean lines, tech-tastic interiors.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat is that?\u201d exclaimed my friend Mark when he saw the K5. \u201cThat\u2019s a nice-looking thing. Looks luxury.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Detroit automakers may have abandoned sedan segments, but Japanese and European automakers continue to slake our thirst for cars. American makes are gone but not forgotten. To my eye, they once set the standard for looks and ergonomics. Think the aging Ford Fusions, Chrysler 200s and Dodge Chargers that still populate our roads. Dodge has long set the standard for ergonomics with its intuitive Uconnect system, knob controls \u2014 even clever goo-gaws like radio volume and station controls on the backside of the steering wheel.<\/p>\n

Asian makers have won over customers with their reliability and 100,000-mile warranties (Hyundai\/Kia), and now they\u2019re making strides in exterior and interior design. Good looks and handling are a must in the midsize segment to attract customers who would otherwise choose SUV hatchback utility.<\/p>\n

Give the K5 and Sonata high-fives.<\/p>\n

Lookers<\/h2>\n

My midsize $39K Kia GT stunner borrows luxury-class tricks like flat-gray paint and colored calipers to turn Mark\u2019s head. Heck, the Korean automaker even poached Audi TT designer Peter Schreyer to sketch its distinctive \u201cTiger Nose\u201d front grille. Sonata impresses, too, with its sci-fi wraparound LED running light and scalloped shoulders.<\/p>\n

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The 2025 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has an impressive range of 673 miles.<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The art tour continues inside, where Kia and Sonata share BMW-like hoodless, 24.3-inch jumbotron screens that sprawl across the dash housing a 12-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch touchscreen. The tech echoes the cockpit of a Bimmer 5-series costing twice as much.<\/p>\n

Camry was a leading contender for the 2025 North American Car of the Year because it has spent hours at the beauty parlor.<\/p>\n

Its face takes cues from the handsome Prius, which got its own extreme makeover for the 2024 model year (scoring a COTY trophy). Alas, that aesthetic restraint doesn\u2019t apply to the rest of the Toyota\u2019s body, which is a maze of sheet metal stampings. There\u2019s a lotta Lexus here, which may be the premium intent.<\/p>\n

The Kia-Hyundai twins are sleek, the Toyota busy.<\/p>\n

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The 2025 Kia K5 GT is quick with 291 horsepower – but, curiously, does not offer AWD like some lower trims.<\/em><\/div>\n
Henry Payne, The Detroit News<\/em><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Inside, Camry is more traditional than the Koreans, choosing a hooded instrument display and separate 12.3-inch console screens on up-trim models like my XSE. The Toyota wows with optional red leather seats. Red never gets old and Mrs. Payne enjoyed slipping into Camry\u2019s rouge thrones whenever we went out.<\/p>\n