2023 Subaru WRX 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 EX, priced at $32,995 in Canada, was a U.S.-specification test car. The GT-Line trim, priced at $36,395, was the closest equivalent 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 2023 Subaru WRX, no longer sharing its sheet metal with the Impreza, stood out with its unique styling. It featured a wide-body look, reminiscent of the first-generation WRX's box fender flares, and body cladding linking it to the Subaru Crosstrek and Outback. The WRX retained its signature hood scoop, functional for feeding air to the intercooler. Base models had 17-inch alloy wheels, while other trims had 18-inch wheels with standard summer tires. The WRX's exterior styling was bold, conveying its performance capabilities. Inside, the WRX was basic but durable, with the top Sport-Tech trim offering a 10-way adjustable driver's seat and Ultrasuede upholstery. The interior was practical, though lacking in some modern conveniences like a proper phone storage space.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT was the powerhouse of the lineup, 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 modest figures, the engine offered linear power delivery with minimal lag, thanks to its torque availability between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The K5's fuel economy was commendable, with a combined consumption of 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres, slightly better than expected during testing. The ride quality was affected by road noise and suspension issues, but the K5 handled speed bumps well and had excellent wind noise insulation.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, with its 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder Subaru boxer engine, generated 271 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It offered more horsepower than a Volkswagen Golf GTI but less than a Golf R. The WRX featured AWD, with power routed through a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an optional Subaru Performance Transmission (SPT) CVT. The CVT provided quick throttle responses, mimicking a conventional automatic transmission. The WRX was a competent daily driver, offering confidence on twisty roads with its AWD system and summer tires. However, the driving experience was described as muted, with quiet exhaust, blunted acceleration, and laid-back steering.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, 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 roomy centre armrest bin, smartphone charging slot, and integrated door panel trays. The 434-litre trunk offered ample cargo space, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2023 Subaru WRX, as a compact sedan, offered practicality with slightly more front headroom and legroom than a Honda Civic Si. However, the Civic provided more rear-seat space. The WRX's 354-litre trunk was smaller than the Civic Si's but larger than the Volkswagen Jetta GLI's. A 60/40 split-folding rear seat was standard, though Subaru didn't provide a cargo-space number with the seat folded. The WRX maintained good outward visibility with low window-sill lines and thin roof pillars. However, it lacked proper phone storage, with the typical spot under the touchscreen being too small for modern smartphones.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The LX and EX trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with large stereo knobs, Bluetooth, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim had a 10.25-inch touchscreen, requiring a cable for smartphone integration. This system included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, navigation, and Sounds of Nature tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, while the GT trim had a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The K5's infotainment graphics were purple, and the voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2023 Subaru WRX's Starlink infotainment system included standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Base models had dual 7-inch touchscreens, while Sport and Sport-Tech trims featured an 11.6-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen. The larger screen was appreciated for its readability, though physical buttons and knobs were missed. The interface was mostly user-friendly, but SiriusXM satellite radio required multiple steps and took time to load. The Sport-Tech trim had an 11-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

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

The 2023 Subaru WRX offered EyeSight driver assist technology with the CVT, including adaptive cruise control, lane-centring, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. Other features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane change assist. The WRX received top "Good" scores in IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA.