2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 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 a $1,800 destination charge. The K5's design was striking, with a low, long, and sleek profile that gave it the appearance of a luxury sports sedan. 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 controls exuded quality, with a solid feel to the automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks, contributing to a sense of care in the vehicle's construction.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class incorporated design elements from other Mercedes models, resulting in a cohesive and stylish sedan. The front end resembled the CLA-Class, while the rear end and taillights were reminiscent of the S-Class. The C-Class featured cab-rearward proportions, emphasizing its rear-wheel-drive (RWD) platform. Standard LED headlights and taillights could be upgraded to the Mercedes Digital Light system, which adjusted to follow curves and projected warning icons. Inside, the C-Class aimed to emulate the S-Class with a freestanding touchscreen, prominent air vents, and intricate speaker grilles. The interior felt special, making a strong case for choosing a luxury car. However, the standard MBTex synthetic leather upholstery was typical for cars in this price range, with Nappa leather seats available as an option.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT was the choice for maximum power and performance, 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. Despite sounding unimpressive, the engine offered linear power delivery with minimal low-end lag. The K5's fuel economy was rated at 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, and during testing, it returned 8.1 L/100 km. The K5 allowed road noise to penetrate the cabin, and the suspension struggled with small road imperfections. However, wind noise was minimal at highway speeds, and outward visibility was excellent, except for the high rear deck.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C300 used a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The C300 could accelerate from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.0 seconds, with a top speed of 210 km/h. The sportier Mercedes-AMG C43 version offered 402 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with a zero to 100 km/h time of 4.5 seconds. The C300's power delivery was not always smooth, with noticeable turbo lag and occasional rough shifts. The ride quality was up to luxury-car standards, with muted impacts from bumps and potholes. The C300 was entertaining on twisty roads, with good body control and precise steering, but required a deliberate approach to cornering.

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 provided natural light, and the power sunroof shade operated smoothly. The low-slung design made entry and exit more challenging compared to SUVs. The front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was a convincing alternative to real leather. Rear-seat passengers had ample headroom, legroom, and foot room. The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin under the centre armrest, a smartphone charging slot, and integrated trays in the door panel armrests. The 434-litre trunk offered plenty of cargo space, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan was longer and wider than its predecessor, providing more interior space. Headroom increased by 2.5 millimetres in front and 10 mm in back, with rear-seat legroom increasing by 20 mm. The C-Class led its competitive set in front-seat headroom and rear-seat legroom, though front legroom was near the bottom of the segment. The seats were comfortable, with enough bolstering for spirited driving. Forward visibility was excellent, but thick rear pillars created a blind spot. The trunk offered 455 litres of space, with a wide opening for easy loading and unloading. A 40/20/40 split-folding rear bench accommodated longer items, and a power trunk release was available.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The standard system for LX and EX trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with large stereo volume and tuning knobs, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim and above had a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. Satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a navigation system, and Sounds of Nature ambient noise tracks were included. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the 12-speaker Bose premium audio system was exclusive to the GT trim in Canada. The K5's voice recognition technology was lacking, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2022 Mercedes-Benz C-Class featured an infotainment setup similar to the S-Class, with a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 11.9-inch touchscreen angled toward the driver. Standard features included keyless entry, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a Burmester 3D surround-sound system. The MBUX infotainment system used a "Zero Layer" setup, displaying multiple items on the screen at once. The voice recognition system was highly effective, and touch controls on the steering wheel were easy to use. The optional augmented-reality navigation system provided a front-camera feed with overlaid arrows for turns, offering more precise guidance than conventional systems.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in driver assistance systems, with features like forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and more. 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 Mercedes-Benz C-Class received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. Standard safety features included automatic emergency brake assist, blind-spot monitoring, driver-attention monitor, park assist, and Pre-Safe systems. Optional features included lane-keep assist, evasive steering assist, a 360-degree camera system, and two levels of Distronic adaptive cruise control. The C-Class also offered Car-to-X communication, which provided advance warnings of road conditions.