2023 Toyota Prius vs 2024 Kia K5

The 2023 Toyota Prius underwent a significant transformation, shedding its previous utilitarian image for a more stylish and modern appearance. This redesign was a response to increasing competition from electric vehicles and other hybrids, prompting Toyota to create a car that was both efficient and visually appealing. The new Prius featured a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic look while maintaining appeal for traditional buyers. The wheels were pushed to the corners, enhancing both handling and the car's athletic stance. Despite its larger dimensions, the Prius maintained a solid and robust feel, with high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish inside. The interior was functional, with a new driver-focused layout featuring a pair of screens and a dashboard-mounted infotainment system, offering a comfortable driving experience.

The 2024 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, was a head-turner with its striking Passion Red Tint Coat. Although the K5 had been around since 2021, it still managed to capture attention with its stylish design. 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 a mixed bag, with some inexpensive-looking plastics offset by impressive design details like textured metallic trim and a refined transmission shifter. The K5's cabin was comfortable, with a 10-way power driver's seat and generous legroom, though the panoramic sunroof could limit headroom for taller passengers. The car provided ample storage space, though the plastic linings could cause noise when items moved around.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, delivering 196 horsepower in the all-wheel-drive models available in Canada. This was a significant improvement over the previous model's 121 horsepower. The Prius boasted impressive fuel economy ratings of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 4.7 on the highway. The car's performance was more athletic and responsive, with improved acceleration and handling, thanks to its revised suspension and longer wheelbase. However, engine noise could intrude into the cabin during hard acceleration, and the brakes had a slight squishiness typical of hybrids.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered two engine options. Most trims, including the GT-Line, came with a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The GT model featured a more powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged engine with 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, along with a sport-tuned suspension and larger brakes. The K5 GT-Line's fuel economy was rated at 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres, but real-world testing showed higher consumption. The car's suspension provided a comfortable ride with good control, though the brakes could fade during spirited driving. The steering was adequate but not exceptional, and the GT-Line lacked the performance enhancements of the GT model.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had a slightly smaller interior compared to its predecessor. The sloping roofline reduced headroom, but legroom increased, accommodating taller passengers comfortably. The cabin featured SofTex leatherette upholstery, heated front seats, and a heated steering wheel as standard in Canada. The Limited trim added a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin's openness. Cargo space was reduced to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat compromised. The interior offered practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging pocket and USB-C ports.

The 2024 Kia K5 provided a comfortable and functional interior with SynTex artificial leather upholstery. The GT-Line trim included a 10-way power driver's seat and a manual height adjuster for the front passenger seat. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control were standard in Canada, with ventilated front seats and heated rear seats available on higher trims. The panoramic sunroof added a touch of luxury, though it could limit headroom. The K5 offered 453 litres of cargo space, with convenient features like a Smart Trunk function for easy access.

The 2023 Toyota Prius XLE models came with an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, while the Limited trim featured a larger 12.3-inch screen. Both offered wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, though the navigation system required a subscription. The digital instrument cluster was a bit cluttered, but an improvement over previous models. The Limited trim included wireless charging, an 8-speaker JBL audio system, and a digital rearview mirror. Subscription-based connectivity bundles provided additional features like remote access and safety assistance.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered an 8-inch touchscreen on LX and EX trims, with a 10.25-inch screen on higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, though wireless connectivity was only available on lower trims. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services. Voice recognition was inconsistent, so using a USB cable for smartphone integration was recommended. Wireless charging was available on all but the base trim, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system was exclusive to the GT trim.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, lane-departure alerts, and more. The Proactive Driving Assist system impressed with its minimal intrusion. All models included stability control, traction control, eight airbags, and blind-spot monitoring. The Limited trim offered Advanced Park for hands-free parking. The Prius received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2024 Kia K5 included standard driver-assistance features like forward collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance. Optional upgrades added features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, which provided semi-autonomous highway driving. The K5 received high marks from the NHTSA but scored poorly in updated IIHS tests for moderate overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.