2021 Honda Accord vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Honda Accord, amidst a competitive landscape with rivals like the Toyota Camry, Mazda6, and Kia K5, received a mid-generation refresh to maintain its appeal. Offered in six trim levels, including the Canada-exclusive SE, the Accord showcased a wider, restyled grille for a more sculpted appearance. The Honda Sensing safety system's radar unit was better integrated, enhancing the vehicle's aesthetics. LED headlights and lowlights improved visibility, while new alloy wheel designs and a Sonic Gray Pearl paint option added to its sophisticated look. Inside, the Accord's interior, even in lower trims, exuded quality with high-grade cloth and leather-trimmed seats, offering a more refined experience than some competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 stood out with its low, long, and sleek design, suggesting a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. The K5 continued the design leadership established by its predecessor, the Optima. The test car featured a Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather, creating an upscale cabin atmosphere. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the K5's interior felt solid and well-constructed, with controls exuding a sense of quality. The automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks all contributed to a refined driving experience, making the K5 feel like a bargain-priced yet well-crafted vehicle.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered two engine choices, catering to different driving preferences. The standard 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 192 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. This engine was available in the SE, Sport, EX-L, and Touring trims, delivering a balanced performance with improved Idle Stop functionality. For those seeking more power, the 2.0-litre turbo-four engine generated 252 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Available in the Sport 2.0 and Touring 2.0 trims, this engine provided a more engaging driving experience. The Accord's fuel economy varied, with the 1.5-litre engine achieving 7.2 to 7.5 L/100 km combined, while the 2.0-litre engine consumed 9.1 L/100 km combined. Despite lacking AWD, the Accord's FWD setup offered pointed steering and easy manoeuvrability, with paddle shifters enhancing mountain driving.

The 2022 Kia K5, particularly the GT trim, delivered maximum power with its turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, provided an exhilarating driving experience. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient K5 variant, lacking AWD. The standard 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offered a more economical choice. Despite modest figures, the engine's torque availability and linear power delivery impressed. The K5's fuel economy was rated at 8.2 L/100 km combined, with our test returning 8.1 L/100 km. While road noise and suspension issues affected ride quality, the K5's handling was decent, though not as engaging as the Accord's.

The 2021 Honda Accord excelled in daily drivability, offering a stylish and practical design with seating for five adults. The interior provided ample head-, hip-, and legroom, ensuring comfort for larger occupants. Standard convenience features included dual-zone automatic climate control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and push-button start. The rear seats featured a 60/40 split, allowing pass-through from the spacious 473-litre trunk. The cabin layout was well-designed, with essential controls within easy reach. While small-item storage was limited, the front centre console offered a cubby for miscellaneous items.

In the 2022 Kia K5, comfort was a priority, with dual-zone automatic climate control standard across all trims. The test vehicle featured power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. A panoramic sunroof added natural light to the interior. However, the low-slung design made entry and exit challenging. The front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was a convincing alternative to real leather. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample space, though hard plastic front seatback panels could be a drawback. The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy centre armrest bin and a 434-litre trunk, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2021 Honda Accord offered a robust technology package, featuring an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen with physical volume and tuning knobs. The system was responsive and visually appealing. Standard features included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and two USB ports. Higher trims added satellite radio, HD radio, a wireless phone charger, and a 10-speaker premium audio system. The Touring trims included an on-board navigation system, rain-sensing wipers, and a head-up display, providing comprehensive tech options.

In the 2022 Kia K5, two infotainment systems were available. 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, requiring a cable for smartphone integration. This setup included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and a navigation system. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, while the GT trim boasted a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system. The K5's voice recognition technology was lacking, but the infotainment graphics were visually appealing, albeit with a polarizing purple theme.

The 2021 Honda Accord prioritized safety with a comprehensive suite of features. Standard equipment included vehicle stability assist, traction control, brake assist, a rearview camera, and LED daytime running lights. The Honda Sensing suite added lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, road departure mitigation, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Accord earned top safety ratings, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It also featured two complete sets of LATCH connectors for child safety seats.

The 2022 Kia K5 compensated for its voice recognition shortcomings with an impressive array of driver assistance systems. Standard features included forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. The Safe Exit Assist system and Kia Connect technology added further safety measures. Various trims offered cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The K5 achieved the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with Highway Drive Assist standing out as a refined and effective system.