2021 Kia K5 vs 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, introduced in 2017, harkened back to the E-Class from two generations prior with its rounded, smooth body. While it could have benefited from a few more edges, its resemblance to the larger S-Class and smaller C-Class made it a recognizable and respectable member of the Mercedes family. Available in sedan, wagon, coupe, or cabriolet, the E-Class's versatile design catered to conservative buyers. The sedan looked particularly rich with the hood ornament and thin-laced chrome grille, a nod to Mercedes tradition. LED lighting added a delicate touch, and the car's proportions were visually appealing whether on 17-inch wheels or 20s with ground effects and quad exhausts.

The cabriolet version of the E-Class showcased the fluid, creaseless form best, with a contrasting soft top revealing a sumptuous interior. The E-Class delighted with multi-tone leathers, aluminum, and deep-polished wood. Two feet of high-res digital screens stretched across the dash, complemented by four circular air vents and knurled silver toggles for climate control. Ambient lighting in 64 colors added to the luxurious feel, and features like heated armrests and massaging seats made it a place of solitude. Even the base model felt several cuts above other cars in its segment.

The 2021 Kia K5, with its new name, marked a fresh identity for Kia. Styled in GT-Line trim with flat Wolf Gray paint and fire-engine red seats, the K5 resembled an Audi A5 Sportback. The design, led by Peter Schreyer, featured a long rear window blending into a short tail, polished black trim, and unique taillights with dashed LEDs. The K5's proportions made it sportier, being lower and longer than the outgoing Optima, with an extra two inches at the wheelbase. The front boasted Z-shaped amber LED running lights and a honeycomb grille, making the K5 a looker from every angle.

Inside, the K5's dash was split between driver and passenger, with a Supra-style divider and an angled center stack. The GT-Line featured red seats with black accents and a flat-bottom steering wheel. The standard analog gauges and 8-inch touchscreen felt upscale with polished black trim and quality materials. The vinyl seats felt like leather, and the hard plastic in lower areas had a good grain and finish. The K5 exuded sportiness and quality, missing from most GM and Ford interiors.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a range of engines, starting with the E350's 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, producing 255 horsepower and 273 pound-feet of torque. The 9-speed automatic transmission and revised turbo design provided quicker response and lower noise levels. In Comfort mode, the E-Class was relaxed, but Sport and Sport+ modes kept the engine in its power band. However, the E350's performance above 40 mph was lacking, making passing maneuvers uncomfortable.

The E450's 3.0-liter V6 with 362 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque offered a more balanced and effortless performance. The AMG E53 added an electric motor-generator to the V6 for 429 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque, making it a real performance machine. The AMG E63 S, with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8, produced 603 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, featuring a drift mode for extreme performance. AWD was standard across the lineup, except for the E350 sedan and E450 coupe/cabriolet, where it was optional. Fuel economy ranged from 19 to 32 mpg, depending on the powertrain and body style.

The 2021 Kia K5's GT-Line trim, despite its aggressive styling, lacked the verve of a sports sedan. The suspension had softer damping, and the Pirelli P Zero All-Season tires protested in tight turns. The FWD test car had good brakes and communicative steering, but the GT-Line was more about appearance than handling. The GT trim promised better suspension and a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, but it was FWD only, which could spell disaster without a limited-slip differential.

The K5's standard engine was a 1.6-liter turbo-four with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The K5 shrugged off slow traffic, but its initial thrust at launch petered out at midrange and highway speeds. Sport mode helped keep the engine on the boil for merging and passing. Fuel economy was impressive, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD models. The AWD version dropped to 26/34/29 mpg. The GT's fuel economy was not yet rated.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a complicated COMAND infotainment system, which could be unwieldy on the car's huge screens. The lack of touchscreens was a significant drawback, making tasks like changing audio settings and inputting addresses a multi-step process. The system was highly distracting and required familiarity with Mercedes models to navigate effectively. However, the E-Class excelled in functionality, with seat and climate controls on the door panels and ample space in every dimension. The coupe had a usable rear seat, and the wagon featured a rear-facing jump seat for small children. The digital dash, when set up properly, offered clear and high-res gauges.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided ample space for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The scalloped roof and front seatbacks offered enough headroom and legroom for six-footers. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The hard buttons for climate controls, stereo, and shortcut buttons surrounding the touchscreen were easy to find and use. The wireless charging pad was conveniently located and secure. The infotainment system and central display were simple and quick to operate, with a 10-inch display optional. Trunk space was 16 cubic feet before folding the rear seats.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class boasted sensational tech features, including a semi-automated driving system that could steer itself, change lanes, and sense obstacles. The Driver Assistance Package offered a comprehensive list of features. The V2X system communicated with nearby Mercedes models about road hazards. The dash could be reconfigured in three designs, with multiple display options. Standard tech included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Burmester stereo and multi-contour seats added to the luxury experience. Some features, like the Energizing Comfort Package, were more novelty than necessity.

The 2021 Kia K5 featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, making setup easy. Standard features on the LX trim included LED headlights, auto high beams, dual-zone climate control, lane-keep assist, and an acoustic laminated windshield. The LXS trim added folding rear seats, push-button start, proximity entry, remote start, and Smart Trunk. The GT-Line trim upgraded to 18-inch wheels, fog lights, rear USB ports, and a power driver's seat. The EX trim offered heated and ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and a 10-inch infotainment system. The GT trim added paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, and performance hardware. Adaptive cruise control and semi-automated lane centering were available.

The 2020 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan and wagon scored a 5-star overall rating from the NHTSA and were rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS. The coupe and cabriolet models were not tested but were expected to perform similarly. Innovations included Pre-Safe Sound, side bolster inflation during a side collision, and crosswind countermeasures. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, a driver attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Fourteen additional driver-assist features were optional.

The 2021 Kia K5 had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to score highly due to its stronger chassis and body shell. Standard safety features included rear side airbags, a driver's knee airbag, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist was standard on LXS and above. Cyclist detection and Junction Turning were available on the GT-Line Premium package. Rear emergency braking and parking sensors were available on EX and above trims.