2021 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata, redesigned for the 2020 model year, presented a bold and distinctive design that was unmistakably a Sonata. Its styling, from the broad grille to the tapered tail, was a love-it-or-hate-it proposition. The N Line version enhanced the Sonata's appeal with functional and stylistic changes, such as a restyled front fascia with larger air intakes, gloss black side mirrors, and bold 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels. The rear featured a subtle gloss black lip spoiler and a reworked bumper with a four-outlet exhaust system, giving the car a stealthy performance-oriented look. Inside, the Sonata N Line boasted sport front seats with premium Nappa leather bolsters, Dinamica suede inserts, and red stitching, complemented by a panoramic sunroof that added a sense of spaciousness.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 was offered in various trims, each with a turbocharged engine, and was known for its sleek, luxury sports sedan appearance. The K5's design was low, long, and sleek, continuing the tradition of its predecessor, the Optima, as a design leader. The test car featured Glacial White Pearl paint with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim, creating an upscale interior. The K5 exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined sense of motion in its components. However, the K5's interior allowed more road noise, and the suspension struggled with small road imperfections, affecting ride quality. Despite these drawbacks, the K5's design and quality made it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line was equipped with a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. This power was delivered to the front wheels through an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters, rev-matching, and a launch control system. The Sonata N Line offered multiple driving modes, including Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom, and featured an Active Sound Design engine note enhancement system. The car's sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and improved steering made it a joy to drive on mountain roads, with minimal understeer and excellent handling. Fuel efficiency was rated at 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, though real-world testing showed slightly higher consumption.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT also featured a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 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 K5 variant, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 engine was a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering linear power delivery and decent performance. The K5's fuel efficiency was rated at 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with real-world testing showing slightly better results. While the K5's handling was not as sharp as some competitors, it was reasonably capable, though road noise and suspension issues affected the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line offered heated front sport seats with Dinamica suede inserts for comfort and support. The front passenger seat had a manual height adjuster, and rear-seat passengers enjoyed air conditioning vents and a USB port. The Sonata's interior materials were of high quality, though hard plastic front seatback panels could be uncomfortable for taller passengers. The trunk provided 453 litres of space, with a 60/40-split folding rear seat for added utility. The hands-free trunk release feature was convenient, though the lack of an interior handle made closing the trunk less user-friendly.

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's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a 434-litre trunk and a 60/40-split folding back seat. However, like the Sonata, the K5 lacked an interior handle for the trunk lid.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system with onboard navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and a Bose premium sound system. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Blue Link connected services but lacked a WiFi hotspot. The absence of a tuning knob and the placement of the volume control knob were user experience drawbacks. The voice recognition technology was not always reliable, but the Sounds of Nature feature provided ambient noise tracks for relaxation.

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 had a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for smartphone integration. The system included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and Sounds of Nature tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the GT trim had a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The K5's voice recognition technology was lacking, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable for navigation and communication.

The 2021 Hyundai Sonata N Line came with a comprehensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and more. The N Line also featured a Rear Occupant Alert system, Safe Exit Warning, and Highway Drive Assist. While the N Line had not been independently tested by safety organizations, the standard Sonata received high safety ratings.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety features, offering forward-collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more as standard equipment. Additional features included Safe Exit Assist, Kia Connect technology, 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, making it a safe choice for consumers.