2022 Dodge Charger vs 2021 Kia K5

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh chapter in Kia's design evolution, shedding its past image of drab sedans. With a fastback form reminiscent of the Kia Stinger, the K5 was styled to impress. The GT-Line trim, with its flat Wolf Gray paint and striking red seats, gave it an Audi A5 Sportback-like appearance. The K5's design was marked by unique taillights and a sleek front with Z-shaped LED running lights. Despite some fake vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions and details made it a sporty and visually appealing sedan. Inside, the K5's interior was driver-focused, with quality materials and a sporty feel, offering a flat-bottom steering wheel and a well-designed dash.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, on the other hand, carried a more menacing and modern design, having undergone significant updates since its 2011 model year. While the exterior was refreshed in 2015, the interior retained a dated look with thick bezels and chunky controls. Despite this, the Charger offered ease of use and a range of trims, from the base SXT to the high-performance Hellcat and Jailbreak variants. The Charger was known for its powerful engine options, with the Hellcat Widebody variant offering a well-rounded performance machine. The interior, though not cutting-edge, provided a functional and straightforward layout.

The 2021 Kia K5, while visually sporty, didn't quite deliver the performance to match its aggressive styling. The GT-Line lacked paddle shifters and had softer suspension damping, making it more of an appearance package. The standard engine was a 1.6-litre turbo-four with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering good fuel efficiency but lacking in midrange power. The GT trim promised more with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was front-wheel drive only, which could be problematic for handling.

In contrast, the 2022 Dodge Charger offered a range of powerful engine options. The base SXT and GT models featured a 3.6-litre V6 engine with up to 300 hp, while the R/T trim introduced a 5.7-litre Hemi V8 with 370 hp. The Scat Pack 392 boasted a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 with 485 hp, and the Hellcat variants took it further with a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 producing up to 807 hp in the Jailbreak model. The Charger excelled in acceleration, with the Hellcat reaching 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. The Widebody setup improved handling, making the Charger a thrilling performance sedan.

The 2021 Kia K5 offered a comfortable interior for both front and rear passengers, with enough headroom and legroom for adults. The front seats were supportive, and the controls were easy to use. The K5 provided 434 litres of trunk space, making it practical for everyday use.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, despite being a large sedan, felt more intimate due to its high centre console and performance seats. While legroom was ample, headroom was limited, especially in the rear. The Charger offered 467 litres of trunk space, but the small trunk lid and high bumper made loading large items challenging. However, the Charger combined sports-car performance with practicality, offering a usable trunk and four doors.

The 2021 Kia K5 came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, making it easy to set up. The GT-Line trim added features like a panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with a 10.25-inch display available on higher trims.

The 2022 Dodge Charger featured the Uconnect infotainment system, known for its ease of use. The base SXT had a 7-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered an 8.4-inch version. Both screens supported Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. While not the most advanced, the Charger's technology was functional and user-friendly.

The 2021 Kia K5 earned top safety ratings from both the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter awarding it the Top Safety Pick+ designation. It came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring.

The 2022 Dodge Charger, however, showed its age in terms of safety features. Standard equipment included only a backup camera and rear parking sensors. Optional features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were available. The Charger received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA but had a Marginal rating in the IIHS driver’s side overlap test.