2022 Kia K5 vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra stood out in the compact sedan market 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 interior varied in quality depending on the trim level, with the Ultimate trim offering a modern and upscale look with its light gray seats and contrasting black cabin. Lower-grade interiors, however, were less impressive, with noticeable cheaper plastic panels.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 presented itself as a sleek and stylish sedan, resembling a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. The K5's design continued the tradition of its predecessor, the Optima, as a design leader in its segment. The test car featured a Glacial White Pearl paint with an Ash Blue synthetic leather interior, creating an upscale feel. The K5 exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined sense of motion in its components. The automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks all contributed to a sense of care in the vehicle's construction, making the K5 feel like a bargain-priced yet high-quality car.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra offered a range of powertrain options, including a standard 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The Elantra Hybrid featured a 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle engine with an electric motor, generating 139 horsepower and offering impressive fuel efficiency. The Elantra N Line, with its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, delivered 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, providing a sporty driving experience. The high-performance Elantra N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine with 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, offering exhilarating performance and precise handling.

The 2022 Kia K5, particularly the GT model, offered a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, providing a thrilling driving experience. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 featured a 1.6-litre turbocharged engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering linear power delivery and decent performance. The K5's fuel economy was commendable, with a combined consumption of 8.1 L/100 km during testing. While the K5's handling was not as lively as some competitors, it provided a comfortable and capable driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified as a midsize car by Natural Resources Canada, offering a spacious interior with height-adjustable driver’s seat and tilt/telescopic steering wheel. The rear seat provided ample legroom, though the backrest shape and angle 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 absence of a height-adjustable front passenger seat and hard plastic upper door panels were drawbacks.

The 2022 Kia K5 provided 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 K5's low-slung design made entry and exit challenging, the seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was a convincing alternative to real leather. The K5 offered a 434-litre trunk, with a 60/40-split folding back seat for expanded cargo space. However, the lack of a handle on the inside of the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The Ultimate trim offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and a digital instrumentation screen, though it required a wired connection for smartphone integration. The Elantra also offered a Bose premium audio system and a dynamic natural voice recognition system, though its performance varied.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems, with the LX and EX trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim included a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite radio and Kia Connect services, though it required a wired connection for smartphone integration. The K5's voice recognition technology was lacking, but the 12-speaker Bose audio system in the GT trim provided excellent sound quality.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform with multiple structural collision energy pathways. Most Elantra models included SmartSense, Hyundai's suite of advanced driving assistance systems, featuring forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and more. Higher trims offered additional safety features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Drive Assist.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety, with standard features like forward-collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The K5 also offered advanced features like cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, and Highway Driving Assist. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.