2021 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid was available in base and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $36,105 to $42,805. It was known for its elegant design, featuring a well-proportioned body, stylish detailing, and a refined stance. The minor front styling updates included a new grille, revised bumper, and new headlights, enhancing its overall appeal. The Touring trim boasted new 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels, although they were challenging to clean due to their gloss black inserts. Inside, the Accord Hybrid's cabin exuded an upscale feel with simulated matte-finish wood trim, polished metallic accents, and logically arranged controls. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display was user-friendly, and the car offered excellent outward visibility.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 was offered in LX, EX, GT-Line, and GT trims in Canada, each equipped with a turbocharged engine. The K5's design was striking, with a low, long, and sleek profile that suggested a luxury sports sedan. The test car, a U.S.-specification K5 EX, featured Glacial White Pearl paint and an Ash Blue synthetic leather interior, creating an upscale ambiance. The K5's cabin was well-crafted, with solid controls and a refined feel. The automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks conveyed a sense of quality. However, the K5's handling was not as lively as the Honda Accord, and the brakes emitted an unpleasant odour after spirited driving.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a sophisticated two-motor hybrid system, combining a 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with a generator/starter motor and an electric drive motor powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. This setup produced a combined 212 horsepower and 232 pound-feet of torque, providing quick acceleration from a standstill. The hybrid system offered three operational modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Drive, and Engine Drive, allowing the car to adapt to different driving conditions. The Accord Hybrid achieved impressive fuel efficiency, using 5.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a slightly higher average of 5.5 L/100 km during testing. The car's handling was agile, with excellent grip and a compliant ride, making it enjoyable to drive.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT was the performance-oriented model, featuring a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. However, the GT lacked all-wheel drive and was less fuel-efficient. The standard K5 models came with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, delivering 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Despite modest power figures, the K5's engine provided linear power delivery and decent acceleration. The car consumed 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with a slightly better result of 8.1 L/100 km during testing. The K5's ride quality was affected by road noise and minor pavement imperfections, but it handled speed humps and bumps well. The steering system was responsive, but the K5's handling was not as engaging as the Honda Accord.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid impressed with its spacious interior, offering a full-size sedan experience in a midsize package. The 12-way power-adjustable driver's seat and roomy back seat provided excellent comfort, although the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. The Touring trim added heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. Interior storage was generous, with a large centre console bin, hidden storage compartments, and ample door panel bins. The Accord Hybrid's 473-litre trunk was among the largest in its segment, accommodating full-size suitcases and expanding utility with 60/40 split-folding rear seats.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. The panoramic sunroof added natural light to the cabin. However, the low-slung design made entry and exit challenging. The K5's SynTex synthetic leather seats were comfortable, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space. The controls were logically arranged, and storage options included a roomy centre bin, smartphone charging slot, and hidden door panel trays. The K5's 434-litre trunk provided good cargo space, expandable with 60/40-split folding rear seats, although it lacked a handle for closing the trunk lid.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid came standard with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Touring trim added a head-up display, navigation with bilingual voice recognition, and wireless smartphone charging. However, the voice recognition system required specific prompts and pathways, limiting its effectiveness.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The LX and EX trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim introduced a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for smartphone integration. The K5's system included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and Sounds of Nature ambient tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the GT trim featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2021 Honda Accord Hybrid aimed to achieve a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS by redesigning its LED headlights. Standard safety features included blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a rearview camera. The Touring trim added low-speed braking control and front and rear automatic emergency braking. The Honda Sensing suite offered adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist, although the systems could be intrusive.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety, offering forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more as standard in Canada. Additional features included Safe Exit Assist, Kia Connect services, and various collision-avoidance technologies. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA. The Highway Drive Assist system was particularly effective, providing smooth and accurate assistance.