2023 Honda Accord Hybrid vs 2024 Kia K5

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was often mistaken for a luxury sedan, drawing numerous compliments and inquiries from onlookers. Its design, reminiscent of the Audi A7, featured a sleek exterior with a redesigned front grille and updated LED lighting. The car was 7.1 cm longer than its predecessor, with a more upright front grille and blacked-out LED headlights. The Accord's long, flowing roofline and planted stance gave it a refined, near-luxury appearance. The interior boasted a new dashboard design, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and features like Amazon Alexa and wireless Apple CarPlay.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, was praised for its striking Passion Red Tint Coat and sporty design. Despite being around since 2021, the K5 was still relatively unknown in North America. The GT-Line trim in Canada came with more equipment than its U.S. counterpart, offering a good value for its price. However, the interior quality was somewhat compromised by inexpensive-looking plastic, though the design and detailing were commendable. The K5's interior featured textured metallic trim and a robust transmission shifter, adding to its appeal.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid was powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, delivering 204 horsepower to the front wheels via a CVT. While it lacked AWD, the Accord Hybrid offered smooth and efficient performance, seamlessly switching between electric and gas power. Its suspension effectively absorbed road imperfections, providing a comfortable ride. The regenerative braking system was enhanced with six levels of regen, making it easier for drivers to adjust. The Accord's agile handling and ease of parking made it a relaxing drive in various environments.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. AWD was standard in Canada for most trims, except the GT, which featured a 2.5-litre engine with 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. The GT-Line trim, while sporty in appearance, was more fuel-efficient than the GT, though it fell short of its estimated fuel economy. The K5 GT-Line's suspension provided a comfortable ride with impressive control, but its brakes faded during spirited driving. The electric steering was mid-tier, and the GT-Line lacked the passing power of the GT.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid's cabin adopted a layout similar to the Civic and CR-V, featuring a honeycomb mesh trim that concealed the air vents. The dashboard housed a convenient row of buttons for climate control and seat heating. The Accord Hybrid Touring included heated and ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated rear seats. The front seats offered excellent support, while rear legroom and shoulder room were generous. However, headroom was limited by the tapering roofline. The trunk provided 473 litres of space, with a low load floor for easy access.

The 2024 Kia K5's interior offered comfort and utility, with SynTex artificial leather in the GT-Line trim. The 10-way power driver's seat and manual front passenger seat height adjuster were notable features. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control were standard in Canada. The GT-Line and GT trims included ventilated front seats and heated rear seats. The panoramic sunroof added a touch of luxury, though it reduced headroom for taller passengers. The K5's cargo space measured 453 litres, with a Smart Trunk function for easy access.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen with intuitive menus and easy-to-navigate graphics. The Touring trim included wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, a wireless charging pad, Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa, and a head-up display. A 12-speaker Bose audio system, HD radio, and four USB ports were also part of the package, enhancing the Accord's tech appeal.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered an 8-inch touchscreen on LX and EX trims, while others had a 10.25-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity on lower trims and wired on higher ones. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. Voice recognition was less reliable than competitors, but a wireless charging pad was available on all but the base trim. The GT trim featured a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

The 2023 Honda Accord Hybrid came with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including a multi-angle rearview camera, automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and more. The Touring trim added parking sensors and a head-up display. The Accord earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, with high scores in crash tests and safety features.

The 2024 Kia K5 included standard driver-assistance systems like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Upgrades included adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist. The K5 received high marks from the NHTSA but scored poorly in updated IIHS tests for frontal and side-impact protection.