2021 Kia K5 vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a significant shift in Kia's design philosophy, moving away from its past of drab and unattractive sedans. The K5, with its fastback form, was reminiscent of the performance-oriented Kia Stinger, showcasing a sleek and modern design. The GT-Line trim, with its flat Wolf Gray paint and striking red seats, gave the K5 an upscale appearance akin to an Audi A5 Sportback. The vehicle's design was marked by unique taillights, a long rear window, and a polished black trim, all contributing to its sporty and sophisticated look. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions and styling details made it a standout in its class.

Inside, the K5's interior was equally impressive, with a driver-focused dash and quality materials throughout. The GT-Line featured a flat-bottom steering wheel and an 8-inch touchscreen, with the option for a larger 10.25-inch screen in Canada. The seats, though vinyl, felt like leather, and the overall interior exuded a sense of sportiness and quality. The K5's interior design and materials were a step above many competitors, offering a premium feel that was missing from other brands.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over its modern and coupe-like exterior into 2022. The Sentra's design was a significant improvement over previous models, adopting Nissan's current design language with a low-slung and sleek appearance. While our test model was in a subdued grey, the Sentra was available in bold colours like blue and burnt orange, with options for a contrasting black roof. The interior of the Sentra was where it truly shone, with a simple yet modern layout that balanced form and function. The controls were user-friendly, and the centre dash featured a trio of vents that added an upscale touch.

The Sentra's interior offered spacious seating in both rows, with comfortable front seats and decent rear legroom. The trunk provided 404 litres of space, expandable with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make loading larger items challenging. Despite lacking a power-opening trunk, the Sentra's trunk could be opened remotely via the key fob or a dash button. Overall, the Sentra's interior was practical and comfortable, with ample storage options and a focus on usability.

The 2021 Kia K5, despite its aggressive GT-Line styling, did not deliver the sporty performance one might expect. The GT-Line lacked paddle shifters and had softer suspension damping, resulting in a less engaging driving experience. The standard engine was a 1.6-litre turbo-four producing 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the K5 handled city and highway driving well, its performance was not particularly thrilling. The GT trim promised more with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine delivering 290 horsepower, but it was only available with front-wheel drive, which could limit its handling capabilities.

Fuel efficiency was a strong point for the K5, with an estimated 9.2 L/100 km in the city and 6.9 on the highway. Our test averaged 6.5 L/100 km, making it an economical choice for a family sedan. However, the K5's sporty trim did not quite live up to the hype, and its performance was more suited to comfortable family driving than spirited handling.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 149 horsepower and 146 lb-ft of torque. In Canada, a six-speed manual transmission was standard, with a CVT available. The CVT managed power well, providing satisfactory acceleration in both city and highway settings. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and its cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road conditions well, though it struggled with harsher bumps.

The Sentra's performance was consistent, offering a balanced driving experience suitable for commuting and road trips. While it did not excel in any particular area, it provided a reliable and comfortable ride, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Kia K5 offered a comfortable interior with ample space for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The K5's interior featured hard buttons for climate and stereo controls, and a convenient wireless charging pad for smartphones. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an optional 10.25-inch display. Trunk space was 434 litres, providing ample room for cargo.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 404 litres of trunk space, with a 60/40 split-fold rear bench for additional cargo capacity. The Sentra's interior offered spacious seating, with comfortable front seats and decent rear legroom. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the centre console provided ample storage for personal items. The Sentra's interior was practical and well-designed, focusing on comfort and usability.

The 2021 Kia K5 came with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though it occasionally experienced connectivity issues. The GT-Line trim included 18-inch black alloy wheels, LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, and adaptive cruise control. Heated and ventilated seats, a 10.25-inch infotainment system, and Kia's UVO link were also available. The K5's technology offerings were comprehensive, providing convenience and connectivity for drivers.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with an 8-inch screen available on higher trims. The infotainment system was easy to navigate, though it lacked wireless connectivity options. The Sentra's technology was straightforward and user-friendly, though it could benefit from updated graphics and additional features like wireless charging.

The 2021 Kia K5 earned top safety ratings from both 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. The K5's safety equipment was comprehensive, providing peace of mind for drivers and passengers.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra also received high safety ratings, with a five-star overall score from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, and blind spot monitoring. The Sentra's safety features were effective, though its adaptive cruise control could be overly abrupt in braking.