2021 Honda Civic vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Honda Civic continued the tradition of being a segment-defining vehicle, with its history of bold redesigns every decade. The 10th-generation Civic, introduced in 2016, was no exception, offering a polarizing design that captured attention. Available in sedan, hatchback, and performance-tuned Type R formats, the 2021 Civic was a versatile choice. However, the two-door coupe was discontinued, and the sporty Civic Si was on hiatus. The Civic sedan came in LX, EX, Sport, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $23,400 to $29,200, excluding destination charges. Our test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic, was priced at $31,331. The Civic's interior, though not as dramatic as when first introduced, still featured quality materials and thoughtful design, albeit with a dated infotainment screen size of 7 inches.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 offered a striking design that set it apart from other sedans. With its low, long, and sleek profile, the K5 resembled a luxury sports sedan. Available in LX, EX, GT-Line, and GT trims, the K5 featured turbocharged engines across the lineup. The test car, a U.S.-specification K5 EX, was priced at $32,995 in Canada. The K5's interior exuded quality, with a combination of Ash Blue synthetic leather and polished metallic accents. The controls conveyed a sense of solidity, enhancing the overall perception of care in construction. The K5's design and build quality made it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish and well-crafted sedan.

The 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between two engines. The base LX, EX, and Sport trims came with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels. However, the turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine, standard on the Touring trim, delivered 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing a more spirited driving experience. The Civic's sophisticated suspension and steering offered excellent ride and handling qualities, especially with the Touring trim's 18-inch alloy wheels. Despite the CVT's drawbacks, such as droning and a lack of responsiveness, the Civic achieved impressive fuel economy, averaging 6.8 litres per 100 kilometres on a 225-kilometre loop.

The 2022 Kia K5, particularly the GT trim, boasted a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine generating 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offered a more balanced performance. The K5's powertrain provided linear power delivery, and the Drive Mode Select allowed customization of the driving experience. During testing, the K5 returned 8.1 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly better than the estimated 8.2 L/100 km. While road noise and suspension issues were noted, the K5's handling was decent, though not as engaging as some competitors.

The 2021 Honda Civic sedan, despite its low-slung design, offered a spacious interior comparable to a decade-old midsize car. The driver's seat featured eight-way power adjustment, while the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment. Leather upholstery was standard on the Touring trim. The rear seats provided excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle, though rear air conditioning vents were absent. The centre console offered remarkable storage space, and the trunk measured 428 litres, reduced to 416 litres in the Touring trim due to the premium sound system.

The 2022 Kia K5 prioritized comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof added natural light to the interior. While 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, and storage space was generous, with a 434-litre trunk and 60/40-split folding back seat for expanded cargo capacity.

The 2021 Honda Civic's technology showed its age, with a standard 5-inch LCD screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and HondaLink connected services. The Touring trim upgraded to a 7-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker audio system, HD Radio, SiriusXM, and navigation with bilingual voice recognition. However, the voice recognition system was unsophisticated, and the premium sound system was a nice addition but not essential.

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, requiring a cable for smartphone integration. The K5's system included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, navigation, and Sounds of Nature ambient tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the 12-speaker Bose audio system was exclusive to the GT trim. The K5's voice recognition technology was lacking, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2021 Honda Civic came equipped with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. LaneWatch, available from the EX trim, used a camera to monitor the right lane but had limitations. The Civic lacked a traditional blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic alert. Despite these shortcomings, the Civic earned a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety features, offering forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and more. The Safe Exit Assist system and Kia Connect technology added to the safety suite. The K5's collision-avoidance features were effective, though lane-keeping technology occasionally misread pavement scars. Highway Drive Assist was praised for its refinement and accuracy. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.