2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan segment with its bold and distinctive design, a result of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language. The car featured sharp creases and dramatic angles, creating an appealing and unique look. A notable design element was the Z-shaped dent in the doors, which broke conventional design rules to give the Elantra a unique character. The Elantra's appearance improved with higher trim levels, offering a range of options from the Essential to the Ultimate trim, with hybrid powertrains available in the Preferred and Ultimate grades. The interior of the Elantra was driver-focused, with a clear delineation between driver and passenger areas. The Ultimate trim, in particular, offered a modern and upscale look with its light gray interior, contrasting against the black cabin and hiding some of the cheaper plastic panels.

The 2021 Kia K5, on the other hand, was a fresh take on Kia's sedan lineup, symbolizing a break from its past. Styled in the GT-Line trim, the K5 resembled an Audi A5 Sportback, thanks to the influence of Peter Schreyer, Kia's chief designer. The K5 featured a fastback form with a long rear window blending into a short tail, polished black trim, and unique taillights that emphasized its width. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions made it sportier, with a lower and longer stance than its predecessor, the Optima. The interior of the K5 was designed with a focus on style and quality, featuring a split dash, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and quality materials throughout. The K5 exuded sportiness and quality, missing from many other sedans in its class.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, from the standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower to the high-performance Elantra N with a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine generating 276 horsepower. The standard engine, paired with a CVT, provided adequate power for urban driving but felt underpowered on the highway. The Elantra Hybrid, with a 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, offered a more satisfying drive with instant torque and a six-speed DCT. The Elantra N Line, with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine producing 201 horsepower, provided a sporty driving experience, while the Elantra N delivered an exhilarating performance with its powerful engine and advanced suspension.

The 2021 Kia K5, while styled aggressively, did not match the performance expectations set by its appearance. The GT-Line trim, with a 1.6-litre turbo-four engine producing 180 horsepower, offered good brakes and communicative steering but lacked the handling prowess of a sports sedan. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower, but the lack of an AWD option raised concerns about handling. The K5's standard engine provided adequate power for daily driving, with good fuel efficiency. However, the GT's performance remained untested, leaving its potential unfulfilled.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car, offering a spacious interior with a height-adjustable driver's seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom and foot space, though the backrest lacked upper back support. The Elantra's trunk offered 402 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. However, the lack of rear air vents and USB ports was a drawback.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided comfortable seating for two adults in the back, with enough headroom and legroom despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The K5's interior featured easy-to-use controls and a convenient wireless charging pad. The trunk offered 434 litres of space, with foldable rear seats for additional storage.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra came equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a dynamic voice recognition system, though the latter performed inconsistently without an active Blue Link subscription.

The 2021 Kia K5 featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, with a 10.25-inch infotainment system available on higher trims. The K5 offered a range of standard features, including LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and lane-keep assist. The GT-Line trim added ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, and adaptive cruise control. The K5's technology package was comprehensive, with features like Smart Cruise Control and Highway Driving Assist.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most trims came with Hyundai's SmartSense suite of safety features, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot warning. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and rear automatic braking.

The 2021 Kia K5 received top safety ratings from NHTSA and IIHS, earning the Top Safety Pick+ designation. The K5 came standard with a range of safety features, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims offered additional features like Junction Turning and Safe Exit Assist.