2021 Nissan Sentra vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Nissan Sentra, in its eighth generation, presented a compact four-door sedan with a sporty and athletic exterior. It featured a V-Motion grille and expressive headlights, giving it a bold and serious look. The Sentra offered a variety of paint colours, including two-tone options for the SR trim, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Sentra boasted a spacious and well-designed interior with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, textured plastics, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The second row provided ample space for two passengers, and the trunk offered 404 litres of cargo capacity, with a 60/40 split-folding rear seat for added versatility.

The 2022 Kia K5, available in various trims, showcased a sleek and luxurious design, resembling a sports sedan. It featured a low, long profile with a distinctive style. The interior exuded quality, with a combination of synthetic leather, matte-finish trim, and metallic accents. The K5's controls conveyed a sense of solidity, and the cabin was well-insulated from wind noise. However, road noise and suspension issues affected ride quality. The K5's design and build quality made it feel like a premium vehicle, offering a unique and upscale experience.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra was equipped with a 2.0-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. It featured front-wheel drive with an Xtronic CVT, providing adequate performance for daily commuting. The Sentra's lightweight design contributed to its efficiency, with fuel consumption ratings of 8.0 L/100 km city and 6.0 L/100 km highway for S and SV models. The suspension and steering offered tidy road manners, making it a practical choice for urban driving.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a more powerful option with its GT trim, featuring a turbocharged 2.5-litre engine delivering 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. However, the GT lacked all-wheel drive and was less fuel-efficient. The standard 1.6-litre turbocharged engine provided 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, offering linear power delivery and decent performance. The K5's fuel economy was rated at 8.2 L/100 km combined. While the K5 excelled in highway driving, it struggled with road noise and suspension issues on uneven surfaces.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra's interior was well-organized, with features like a traditional gear selector, open cupholders, and ample storage space. It included USB ports and a 12-volt outlet for connectivity. The Zero Gravity front seats provided comfort for long journeys, and heated front seats were standard. The SR Premium trim offered additional features like a power-adjustable driver's seat and a moonroof.

The 2022 Kia K5 prioritized comfort with dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable seats, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior featured SynTex synthetic leather and ample rear-seat space. The K5's controls were logically arranged, and storage options were generous, including a spacious trunk with a 434-litre capacity. However, the low-slung design made entry and exit challenging for some.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra offered a straightforward infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen in the S trim and an 8-inch touchscreen in SV and SR trims. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SR Premium trim featured a premium Bose audio system. Navigation was not available, but smartphone integration provided access to navigation apps.

The 2022 Kia K5 featured two infotainment systems, with an 8-inch touchscreen in lower trims and a 10.25-inch touchscreen in higher trims. The larger screen required a cable for smartphone integration but offered satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the GT trim boasted a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition system was subpar.

The 2021 Nissan Sentra came equipped with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including multiple airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system, and Nissan Safety Shield 360. It received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick rating from the IIHS. The Sentra's adaptive cruise control and 360-degree camera system were available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety with features like forward-collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. It also offered advanced systems like Safe Exit Assist and Highway Driving Assist. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Its safety technology was highly effective, providing peace of mind for drivers.