2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in Canada in four trim levels: LX, EX, GT-Line, and GT. Each model featured a turbocharged engine, with the LX, EX, and GT-Line offering standard all-wheel-drive (AWD), while the GT came with a front-wheel drive (FWD) drivetrain. The base prices ranged from $29,595 to $40,495, excluding a $1,800 destination charge. The K5 was known for its distinctive styling, resembling a luxury sports sedan rather than a typical family car. The interior of the K5 EX test car was upscale, featuring Glacial White Pearl paint and Ash Blue synthetic leather, complemented by matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents. The car exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined feel, making it seem like a bargain-priced vehicle without compromising on construction quality.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture a significant share of the hatchback market, especially as other automakers phased out this body style. Built in Indiana, the Civic hatchback was one of the few compact cars still produced in North America. It was available in LX, Sport, and Sport Touring trims in Canada, with prices ranging from $28,000 to $35,000, plus a $1,700 destination charge. The Civic hatchback shared its front-end design with the Civic sedan but featured unique styling from the front doors to the rear. The interior of the Sport Touring trim offered sophisticated digital instrumentation and infotainment displays, with a modern appearance and high-quality controls. However, the CVT shifter operation was slightly janky, detracting from the overall sense of sophistication.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT was the choice for maximum power, featuring a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, it was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking AWD. The standard K5 engine was a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder, delivering 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, with power available between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm. The K5 offered a linear power delivery and various drive modes, but it wasn't as fun to drive as some competitors. Fuel consumption was 8.1 L/100 km during testing, and while road noise was an issue, wind noise was minimal. The K5's handling was decent, but it lacked the liveliness of some rivals.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque in the LX and Sport trims. The Sport and Sport Touring trims featured a turbocharged 1.5-litre engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 4,500 rpm. The Civic hatchback was front-wheel drive, with a choice of CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. The CVT worked well with the turbo engine, and the manual transmission was praised for its smooth operation. The Civic hatchback provided a satisfying driving experience, with firm suspension tuning and good steering and braking feel. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the Sport Touring achieving 7.3 L/100 km with the CVT and 7.8 L/100 km with the manual transmission.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The panoramic sunroof added natural light, and the interior was spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for rear passengers. The K5's controls were logically laid out, and storage space was generous, with a 434-litre trunk and 60/40-split folding rear seats. However, the low-slung design made entry and exit challenging.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a 693-litre trunk and a two-piece cargo shade. The rear seats were 60/40-split folding, but the load floor wasn't flat. The Civic offered comfortable seating, though the front passenger seat lacked height adjustment, and there were no rear air conditioning vents. The driver enjoyed an eight-way power-adjustable seat, and the Sport Touring trim featured heated front and rear seats. The interior materials varied by trim, with black leather upholstery in the Sport Touring.

The 2022 Kia K5 featured two infotainment systems. The LX and EX trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while the GT-Line and GT trims had a 10.25-inch touchscreen requiring a cable for smartphone integration. The larger system included satellite radio, navigation, and Kia Connect services. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the GT trim had a 12-speaker Bose audio system. However, the voice recognition technology was lacking.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback offered a new infotainment system, with a 7-inch touchscreen in the LX and Sport trims and a 9-inch touchscreen in the Sport Touring. The Sport Touring added wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, wireless charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The Civic's infotainment system was praised for its user-friendly design, with physical knobs for sound controls and a shelf for hand support. The voice recognition system worked well, and digital instrumentation was standard across all trims.

The 2022 Kia K5 was equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included Safe Exit Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and Highway Driving Assist. The K5 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured the Honda Sensing suite, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. New features included low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist, available only with the CVT. The Civic also had a blind-spot warning system and Low-Speed Braking Control in the Sport Touring trim. The Civic hatchback earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with improved safety features and engineering.