2021 Kia K5 vs 2020 Honda Accord

The 2020 Honda Accord was recognized for its stylish design, which stood out as one of the most attractive in the model's history. Despite some mixed opinions on its front styling and rounded roofline, the Accord maintained an upscale appearance, especially when equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels available on higher trims like the Touring and Sport 2.0. These larger wheels enhanced the sedan's visual presence, although the 17-inch wheels offered a more cost-effective option for long-term ownership. Inside, the Accord's interior was praised for its quality, with soft-touch materials, comfortable leather, and realistic matte-finish simulated wood, making it a pleasant environment for drivers and passengers alike.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia K5 introduced a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from its past designs. The K5's fastback form and GT-Line trim, with its striking Wolf Gray paint and red seats, drew comparisons to the Audi A5 Sportback. The design was the work of Peter Schreyer, a former Audi designer, and featured unique elements like a long rear window, polished black trim, and distinctive taillights. The K5's sporty appearance was complemented by a lower and longer stance than its predecessor, the Optima. Inside, the K5's interior was designed with a focus on style and quality, featuring a driver-oriented dashboard, flat-bottom steering wheel, and quality materials throughout, creating a sporty and upscale feel.

The 2020 Honda Accord offered a range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 192 horsepower and 192 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. For those seeking more power, the turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivered 252 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission. The Accord also featured a hybrid option with 212 horsepower, achieving impressive fuel efficiency. The Accord's driving dynamics were enhanced by adaptive dampers, providing a balance of comfort and agility. However, the brakes could have been improved for better performance during spirited driving.

The 2021 Kia K5, while visually sporty, did not match the performance expectations set by its aggressive styling. The GT-Line trim lacked paddle shifters and had softer suspension damping, resulting in less engaging handling. The standard engine was a 1.6-litre turbo-four with 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The K5's GT trim promised more power with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available with front-wheel drive. The K5's fuel efficiency was commendable, with an estimated 8.2 L/100 km combined for the base engine, and it performed well as a family sedan.

The 2020 Honda Accord was essentially a full-size sedan, offering generous rear-seat legroom and cargo space compared to competitors like the Toyota Camry. The interior featured a comfortable 12-way power driver's seat, although the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The back seat was spacious and comfortable, with wide doors for easy access. The trunk offered 473 litres of space, accommodating full-size suitcases with ease. The Accord's interior design emphasized clarity and ergonomics, with ample storage and a layered dashboard that enhanced the sense of space.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided comfortable seating for two adults in the rear, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The interior featured easy-to-use climate controls and a convenient wireless charging pad. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an optional 10.25-inch display. Trunk space was 434 litres, and the rear seats could be folded down for additional cargo capacity.

The 2020 Honda Accord featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with volume and tuning knobs, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Higher trims offered a premium audio system, HondaLink services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and wireless charging. However, the system lacked natural voice recognition. A head-up display was exclusive to the Touring trim, and the Accord's visibility was enhanced by a reversing camera with multiple angles.

The 2021 Kia K5 came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although there was a minor glitch with reconnection. The LX trim included LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and lane-keep assist. The GT-Line added features like 18-inch wheels, LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, and adaptive cruise control. The GT trim offered a Bose audio system and 19-inch wheels. The K5's adaptive cruise control worked well even without navigation.

The 2020 Honda Accord was a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS and received five stars from the NHTSA. It came with Honda Sensing, which included forward collision warning, collision mitigation braking, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and traffic sign recognition. However, blind-spot monitoring was reserved for the Touring trim, and some systems could be refined for smoother operation.

The 2021 Kia K5 also earned top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, receiving the Top Safety Pick+ designation. It featured standard safety equipment like rear side airbags, a driver's knee airbag, forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert. The K5 EX trim and above included Junction Turning for added safety at intersections.