2021 Acura TLX vs 2021 Kia K5

The 2021 Acura TLX boasted a striking appearance, characterized by a sporty and assertive stance. Its steeply raked windshield, fastback-style roofline, and integrated tail spoiler gave it an unmistakably aggressive profile. The front grille, shaped as if radiating outward from the central Acura logo, combined with horizontally arrayed “jewel eye” LED headlights, painted a fierce visage. Twin trapezoidal tailpipes beneath the rear bumper added to the sporty look. The attention to detail in the paint quality, tasteful badging, and chrome hints elevated its premium aesthetic.

Inside the TLX, the sport sedan "cockpit" design enhanced the driving experience. Different functions were neatly sectioned on the dashboard, featuring authentic materials—actual metal, leather, and wood were used where appropriate. The tight gaps, cohesive fonts, and thoughtfully arranged visual elements exuded quality craftsmanship. The 10.2-inch landscape-oriented infotainment screen was aptly positioned at the top of the center stack, seemingly floating above the dashboard. This meticulous attention to design both inside and out demonstrated Acura's commitment to excellence.

Conversely, the 2021 Kia K5 presented a fresh face for Kia’s evolving brand identity. Resembling the performance-oriented Kia Stinger in its fastback form, the K5's GT-Line trim with flat Wolf Gray paint and vibrant red seats made it resemble an Audi A5 Sportback, thanks to Peter Schreyer's design influence. The long ovoid rear window blending into the short tail and polished black trim around the stout D-pillars suggested sleekness. Despite fake air vents and exhaust tips, the overall design of the K5 was sophisticated. Its proportions, being lower and longer with an extended wheelbase, gave it a sporty edge. The front featured Z-shaped LED running lights and a honeycomb grille, contributing to a compelling and aggressive aesthetic.

Inside, the K5's dashboard was split between driver and passenger zones with a Supra-style divider and was accented with quality materials. The GT-Line included sportier features like red seats with black accents and a flat-bottom steering wheel. Despite standard analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen, the polished black trim and well-finished plastics maintained an upscale feel, portraying sportiness and quality that were previously uncommon in Kia sedans.

Performance-wise, the 2021 Acura TLX had a newly developed 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and optional Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The fuel economy varied between 22/31/25 mpg for FWD and 21/29/24 mpg for AWD. The TLX's advanced technological integrations, including drive-by-wire and shift-by-wire systems, allowed for nuanced driving personalities through various modes like Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Individual. The adaptive dampers in the Advance package adjusted for a tailored ride experience. During test drives, the TLX demonstrated nimble handling and a solid, balanced feel on diverse road surfaces, proving its capacity for dynamic driving.

In contrast, the 2021 Kia K5's GT-Line didn’t fully match its sporty appearance with performance. While the suspension had softer damping and the 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque offered decent initial thrust, it trailed in handling. The 2.5-liter turbocharged engine on the GT trim promised 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque; however, being only available in FWD could present handling challenges. The fuel economy was commendable, with FWD models rated at 27/37/31 mpg and AWD models slightly lower. Over a 750-mile test, the K5 averaged nearly 36 mpg. Though the GT Line was equipped with good brakes and communicative steering, its performance was more aligned with family sedan driving rather than a sports sedan.

The 2021 Acura TLX's shift-by-wire transmission allowed for a reimagined center console without the need for a traditional gear selector, freeing up space for infotainment controls, a well-positioned touchpad, and other functionalities. The driver and front passenger enjoyed comfortable bucket seats with extensive adjustability and optional ventilated surfaces. The rear seat, divided in a 60/40 split, provided decent head- and legroom for two adults, while the center position was less accommodating. The trunk offered a generous 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with a wide and deep opening for ease of use.

The 2021 Kia K5 offered substantial rear passenger comfort, thanks to the scalloped roof and seatbacks, which accommodated taller passengers without issue. Despite the sporty exterior, it lacked rear air vents, reducing comfort slightly. The front seats were firm and supportive, apt for long drives. The wireless charging pad was a practical feature, positioned conveniently. The K5's infotainment system was user-friendly, with options for a 10-inch display. The trunk space measured 16 cubic feet, which was larger than the TLX, showing Kia’s adept use of space.

The 2021 Acura TLX integrated an impressive array of performance technologies within the 10-speed automatic transmission, including Grade Logic Control, Shift Hold Control, and Cornering G Shift Control. These ensured optimal gear shifts and stability during aggressive driving. Comfort technologies included multiple ambient lighting themes and, notably, the ELS Studio 3D 17-speaker premium audio system. The infotainment boasted navigation, Siri Eyes Free, SMS Text Messaging, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with a customizable head-up display in the Advance Package.

The 2021 Kia K5 shone with its ease of use, particularly with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and several safety features came standard. The GT-Line trim added larger 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and rear USB ports. The optional Premium package included a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and an upgraded infotainment system compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Despite a few minor glitches, the system was largely effective and user-friendly.

The 2021 Acura TLX featured the comprehensive AcuraWatch suite of driver-assistance technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and blind-spot monitoring. Additional safety features ranged from front- and rear-side airbags to a pedestrian injury mitigation design. The TLX also included front-passenger knee airbags, pedestrian sensing, traffic-sign recognition, and traffic jam assist.

The 2021 Kia K5, although not yet rated by safety organizations, was expected to score highly due to its robust chassis and body shell. Standard safety features included rear-side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, forward emergency braking, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, cyclist detection, and junction turning, among other aids. Overall, the K5 delivered a strong suite of safety features across all trims.