2022 Kia K5 vs 2021 BMW 3 Series

The 2021 BMW 3 Series aimed to evoke a sense of familiarity with its traditional design approach. BMW returned to a "familial look," reminiscent of the classic E30 3 Series, intended to appear as a smaller version of the 5 Series and 7 Series sedans. While the E30 became a design icon, the G20 3 Series appeared somewhat stuffy. Customers might have found the sizable, oddly-shaped grille acceptable on the larger 5 Series, but it didn't look quite right on this smaller sedan. Besides that grille and headlights referencing older models, there wasn't much distinctive about the car's design. Our test car featured optional M Sport trim with M 19-inch wheels and blue-painted brake calipers. However, the interior, despite having a pleasing design, was let down by unimpressive materials like plastic trim and fake-looking Ash wood. While leather upholstery was an optional extra, the standard included synthetic Sensatec material. The optional M heated steering wheel looked out of place in the otherwise conservatively styled interior.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 presented itself as a standout on the road with its low, long, and sleek design, suggesting a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. Our test K5 EX, priced at $33,945 with destination charges included, featured extra-cost paint and the EX Premium option package. Its exterior Glacial White Pearl paint paired intriguingly with the Ash Blue synthetic leather over a black interior. The cabin, adorned with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents, exuded an upscale look despite some expected hard plastic surfaces on the lower half. The K5 aimed to blend quality with functionality, demonstrated by solid-feeling controls and refined motion in the steering wheel stalks and door release handles.

The base model of the 2021 BMW 3 Series, the 330i, housed a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 330e plug-in hybrid combined a less-powerful version of that engine with an electric assist, delivering a total of 288 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. The BMW M340i offered a more robust turbo inline-six engine, producing 382 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations were available with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Notably, the BMW M340i reached 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds, while the 330i took about 5.6 seconds. Despite matching the gasoline 330i’s acceleration, the RWD 330e’s transition from electric to gasoline power under heavy throttle was clunky and less satisfying. The 3 Series did maintain a reputation for a comfortable highway ride and excellent handling but lacked the engaging drive that previous models delivered.

The 2022 Kia K5 came with two engine options. The performance-oriented K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, the GT was also the priciest and least fuel-efficient version. The standard turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in other K5 models delivered 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering surprisingly linear power delivery with little low-end lag. The K5 EX model we tested provided adequate acceleration for merging onto freeways but lacked surplus passing power. The car was somewhat noisy over different road surfaces, but the K5 compensated with a quiet cabin at highway speeds thanks to its 0.27 coefficient of drag. Highway Drive Assist in the K5 proved refined and effective, though the suspension allowed excess body motion on imperfect stretches of pavement.

Regarding interior space, the 2021 BMW 3 Series performed well for a small luxury sedan. Rear headroom was the best in its segment, while front headroom was above average but still behind the Infiniti Q50. Legroom in both rows was average, meaning rear-seat passengers could be cramped if a tall person sat in front. The vehicle also fell short on shoulder room compared to the Acura TLX. Gasoline models of the 3 Series offered 17 cubic feet of cargo space, significantly more than competitor sedans. However, the 330e plug-in hybrid reduced this to 13.2 cubic feet due to the battery pack. Despite some drawbacks, BMW provided a driver-centric cockpit layout that facilitated easier driving.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered ample comfort across all trim levels, featuring dual-zone automatic climate control as standard. The test vehicle included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, front passenger’s seat with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof provided extra natural light. Entry and exit proved challenging due to the car’s low-slung design, but inside, the seats were comfortable. Though rear legroom was generous, hard plastic front seatback panels posed a limitation if front occupants reclined too much. Storage was practical, including a roomy bin under the center armrest and a charging slot for smartphones. The K5 had a 16 cubic-foot trunk with a 60/40-split folding back seat for additional cargo capacity. It also featured a Smart Trunk function, which released the trunk lid when standing behind the car with the key fob.

The standard BMW iDrive infotainment system in the 2021 BMW 3 Series included an 8.8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and a pair of USB ports. Gasoline models enjoyed both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the 330e only featured CarPlay. The optional Live Cockpit Professional system enhanced the experience with a digital instrument cluster, navigation, and a head-up display (HUD). The enhanced infotainment setup impressed with high-quality graphics and responsive controls, outclassing rival systems like those from Mercedes. BMW offered various control methods, including an iDrive controller, steering wheel controls, voice assistant, and gesture controls, making the system versatile and user-friendly.

The 2022 Kia K5, depending on the trim, provided two infotainment systems. The LX and LXS trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen display offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims like the GT-Line featured a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it required a cable for CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger system added satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and unique ambient noise tracks. The EX Premium package included a 12-speaker Bose audio system and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. Voice recognition in the K5, unfortunately, was unreliable, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto indispensable.

For the 2021 BMW 3 Series, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded a “Top Safety Pick” rating, thanks to top scores in crash tests, though headlight ratings varied. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) didn’t provide safety ratings. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. Optional packages added advanced options like adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keep assist, automated lane centering, and a parking-assist package with a 360-degree camera system.

The 2022 Kia K5 boasted an extensive suite of safety features as part of the Kia Drive Wise collection. Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. The EX Premium package enhanced safety with cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and a surround-view monitoring system. Kia’s Highway Drive Assist was particularly commendable for its refined and accurate operation. The IIHS awarded the K5 its highest rating—Top Safety Pick+, and the NHTSA gave it a five-star overall crash-test rating.