2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in Canada in four trim levels: LX, EX, GT-Line, and GT. Each trim 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 the $1,800 destination charge. The K5 EX, priced at $32,995 in Canada, was a U.S.-specification test car. The GT-Line trim, priced at $36,395, offered similar equipment levels in Canada. The K5's design was sleek and luxurious, resembling a sports sedan more than a family car. The interior, with its Glacial White Pearl paint and Ash Blue synthetic leather, exuded an upscale feel, despite some hard plastic surfaces. The controls conveyed a sense of quality, with a solid automatic transmission shifter, hefty door release handles, and refined steering wheel stalks. The K5's construction felt bargain-priced but not bargain-sourced.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata had evolved from its early years of mimicking the Honda Accord to developing its own distinctive style. The seventh-generation Sonata, redesigned for 2020, featured a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline. The design was subjective, with some finding it attractive and others not. Inside, the Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seating for five. The Limited trim test car had comfortable leather seats, though the tan upholstery colour was not to everyone's taste. The Sonata N Line offered a sportier look with a body kit, gloss black accents, and N badging. The N Line's cabin featured dark chrome trim, red stitching, and unique N-brand sport seats, adding personality to the car.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT was the performance leader with 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 K5 version, lacking AWD. The standard K5 engine was a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering linear power delivery and minimal low-end lag. The K5's fuel consumption was 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test returning 8.1 L/100 km. The K5 allowed road noise into the cabin, and the suspension struggled with small road imperfections. The steering system in Canadian K5s was more responsive than the U.S. version. While the K5 lacked the handling finesse of a Honda Accord, it was reasonably capable.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata offered a split personality in performance. The base engine was a 2.5-litre four-cylinder with 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine, available on Sport and Luxury trims, produced 180 hp and 195 lb-ft. The Sonata N Line, with a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-litre engine and sport suspension, provided a more spirited driving experience. All Sonatas were FWD, with no AWD option. The Sonata offered a smooth ride, competent handling, and a quiet cabin, making it a comfortable choice for daily driving.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof added natural light to the interior. The low-slung design made entry and exit challenging, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear-seat passengers had ample space, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be a drawback. The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a 434-litre trunk and 60/40-split folding back seat for expanded cargo space. The Smart Trunk feature added convenience.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's cabin offered 2,956 litres of passenger space, classifying it as a "Full-size Car" by Natural Resources Canada. Front-seat headroom and legroom were top-notch, while rear-seat space was adequate for two adults. The 453-litre trunk was spacious, accommodating a three-piece set of rolling luggage. The Remote Smart Parking Assist feature, available on the Ultimate grade, allowed the Sonata to drive itself forward or backward, making tight parking spots more manageable.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The LX and EX trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and a navigation system, but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the 12-speaker Bose audio system was exclusive to the GT trim. The K5's voice recognition technology was lacking, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata's infotainment technology varied by trim. Base SE versions had an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, and smartphone connectivity. The N Line and Ultimate Hybrid trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and wireless charging. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was easy, and the Bose audio system provided excellent sound quality, offering great value for the price.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety with features like forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The Safe Exit Assist system warned occupants when it was unsafe to open a door. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata also offered a comprehensive safety package, including forward collision avoidance assist, lane-departure warning, and blind-spot collision-avoidance assist. The Sonata received a five-star overall crash protection rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS. The Sonata's child-seat anchors received an "Acceptable" rating.