2021 Lexus ES vs 2021 Kia K5

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from its past of drab and unattractive sedans. It was a symbolic break from the Optima, which had gained recognition since 2011. The K5, styled in a fastback form, bore a resemblance to the performance-oriented Kia Stinger. With its GT-Line trim, the K5 featured flat Wolf Gray paint and fire-engine red seats, giving it an Audi A5 Sportback-like appearance. The design was highlighted by a long rear window, unique taillights, and a killer front with Z-shaped amber LED running lights. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions made it sportier, with a lower and longer stance than the Optima. The interior was upscale, with a driver-focused dash, quality materials, and a sporty feel missing from many competitors.

The 2021 Lexus ES expanded its lineup with the new ES 250, featuring a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and standard AWD. The ES 350, with a 3.5-litre V6 and FWD, was also available, along with the ES 300h hybrid. The ES 350 Black Line Edition, with its unique styling and limited production, stood out with features like triple-beam LED headlamps and a head-up display. The ES's design was dramatic, with a striking grille and appealing F Sport trim. Inside, the black and white interior offered a striking contrast, and the quality materials and high design were unmistakably Lexus. Despite sharing a platform with the Toyota Avalon, the ES maintained its luxury identity.

The 2021 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, did not deliver the sporty performance its aggressive styling suggested. It lacked paddle shifters, and the suspension had softer damping, making it less of a sports sedan. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available in FWD, which could be problematic without a limited-slip differential. The standard engine, a 1.6-litre turbo-four with 180 hp, offered good fuel efficiency, averaging 6.5 L/100 km on the highway. However, the K5's sporty trim did not match the hype.

The 2021 Lexus ES 350 featured a 3.5-litre V6 engine with 302 horsepower and 267 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ES 350 accelerated to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds, with a fuel efficiency rating of 9.4 L/100 km. The Black Line Edition felt quicker than its claimed acceleration time, though it could benefit from a torque-vectoring AWD system. The ES 350 offered a firm ride quality, flat cornering stance, and overall athleticism, making it a sporty sedan rather than an outright sports sedan. The ES was not intended to fill the role of a sports sedan, leaving that to other Lexus models.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided comfortable seating for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The interior featured easy-to-use controls, a wireless charging pad, and an optional 10.25-inch display. Trunk space was 434 litres, with foldable rear seats for additional storage.

The 2021 Lexus ES offered a daring interior layout with sport-bolstered front seats, 10-way power adjustment, and NuLuxe synthetic leather. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed good foot and legroom, with rear air conditioning vents and an available power rear window sunshade. The trunk measured 394 litres, with an optional hands-free power trunk. Storage was plentiful but oddly configured, with a wireless smartphone charger under the centre armrest.

The 2021 Kia K5 featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and a Bose premium audio system in the GT trim. The GT-Line added 18-inch black alloys, LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, and adaptive cruise control. The 10.25-inch infotainment system included Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and UVO link.

The 2021 Lexus ES had a touchpad interface that required attention to use, but the dynamic voice command technology was excellent. The optional 12.3-inch widescreen infotainment display was impressive, though not a touchscreen. All ES trims included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a CD player. The 12.3-inch display added dynamic navigation and connected services. A 10-speaker premium sound system was standard, with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson system available.

The 2021 Kia K5 earned top marks in crash tests from the NHTSA and IIHS, receiving the Top Safety Pick+ designation. Standard safety features included rear side airbags, a driver's knee airbag, forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Junction Turning was available on the K5 EX trim and above.

The 2021 Lexus ES included Lexus Safety System 2.0, with features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims except the base. The ES received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.