2022 Kia K5 vs 2021 Hyundai Elantra

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra, steered by Hyundai’s Sensuous Sportiness design language, stood out in the world of compact sedans. Notable for its striking Parametric surfacing, the Elantra was a gallery of sharp creases and dramatic angles, giving it a distinctive and attractive appearance. One of the most unique elements was the Z-shaped dent in the doors, a bold and unconventional design choice that senior designer Davis Lee claimed would set the Elantra apart. This aggressive styling, though controversial, often worked to the car's advantage.

A spectrum of trims was offered: SE, SEL, N Line, and Limited, with options for a hybrid powertrain in SEL and Limited variants. The price range for these models spanned $19,650 to $25,450, excluding destination charges, with the high-performance Elantra N breaking into the market later at an estimated price of under $34,000. Inside, the Elantra’s driver-focused dashboard and center console, complete with an angled passenger grip, created a clear segregation between driver and passenger areas. Higher trims boasted more luxurious and high-tech cabins.

Among these, the Limited or Hybrid Limited with Gray interiors earned special praise for its stark color contrast and excellent use of materials, which lent the car an upscale and modern feel. However, the black interior of the SEL with the Premium Package was felt to be less impressive and more prone to showing wear.

During 2022, the Kia K5 was offered as a practical family sedan with a design that leaned towards luxury sports aesthetics. Trim levels included LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. Our test car, the K5 EX, priced at $33,945 with all options, displayed the car’s value amidst rising vehicle transaction prices in the U.S.

Low and sleek, the K5's design continued the legacy of its predecessor, the Optima, known for its segment-leading looks. The test car’s Glacial White Pearl paint complemented its Ash Blue synthetic leather and black interior with wood trim and metallic accents, producing a genuinely upscale feel. Key touchpoints in the K5—such as the transmission shifter, door handles, and steering stalks—communicated a strong impression of quality.

For the 2021 Hyundai Elantra, we examined multiple powertrains, from the standard engine all the way to the high-performance Elantra N. The standard Elantra SEL embodied a practical choice with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. The ride felt nimble in city settings, although it lacked oomph for highway maneuvers. Despite its noisy engine during acceleration, it stayed mostly quiet otherwise, and the 31.4 mpg in mixed driving reflected its efficiency.

The Elantra Limited Hybrid employed a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder combined with an electric motor, delivering 139 horsepower. It used a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and offered seamless power delivery, though achieving 42.2 mpg against an EPA estimate of 50 mpg was disappointing due to mountainous driving conditions.

The N Line variant was the sportier option, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that made 201 horsepower, with both manual and DCT options, providing an exhilarating 23.1 mpg in demanding mountain driving. The peak performer was the Elantra N, which housed a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine delivering 276 horsepower and featured an eLSD for efficient power application. Whether driving sedately or pushing to its limits, the Elantra N performed admirably, emphasizing its added layer of refinement compared to the Veloster N.

The 2022 Kia K5, particularly the GT model, stood out with its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. However, front-wheel drive and the absence of all-wheel drive made it less versatile in varied conditions. Most buyers encountered the standard 1.6-liter turbo-four, which although uninspiring on paper with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, delivered a smooth and linear power feel and satisfactory acceleration for everyday driving.

Drive Mode Select allowed drivers to adapt the vehicle’s performance to their liking. The K5 EX returned a respectable 29.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below its EPA estimate. Despite its handsome wheels, the K5’s ride comfort suffered over imperfect surfaces, producing road noise and a rougher experience on cracks and bumps. Nevertheless, the K5’s superior aerodynamic design minimized wind noise substantially.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was classified by the EPA as a midsize car, offering spacious accommodations, particularly in the rear seats which provided nearly as much legroom as the larger Hyundai Sonata. However, the removal of the height-adjustable front passenger seat and the hard plastic upper door panels were noted as drawbacks. The rear seat comfort in the SEL Premium was decent, providing ample leg and foot room but falling short in back support. Though it lacked rear-seat air vents or USB ports, the Elantra offered practical storage solutions and a 14.2 cubic feet trunk, enhanced by a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. However, the omission of a trunk grab handle was a minor grievance.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia K5 emphasized comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control across all trims and better-equipped models featuring power-adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, and rear air conditioning vents. Despite the lower ride height making ingress and egress challenging, the Kia K5’s SynTex synthetic leather and logical control layout provided a satisfactory interior experience. Rear passengers benefited from generous legroom and headspace unless the front seats were reclined excessively.

Storage solutions in the K5 were ample, and its 16 cubic feet of trunk space surpassed the Elantra's, adding to its practical appeal. Although it also lacked an interior trunk handle, the Smart Trunk feature compensated somewhat for this.

The 2021 Hyundai Elantra began with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard on SE, SEL, and N Line trims, and included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. SEL and N Line trims benefited from satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Stepping up to the Limited trim brought a significant upgrade with a 10.25-inch touchscreen paired with a digital instrument display, together housed under a single piece of glass—a nod to luxury brands. This setup, however, dropped wireless integration in favor of wired connections but introduced navigation and a unique Sounds of Nature feature. Voice recognition varied across different test scenarios, and the new Bose premium sound system added a noteworthy enhancement to the audio experience.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two primary infotainment setups. The LX and LXS trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen supporting wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while higher trims switched to a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen but required wired connections for smartphone compatibility. The K5 added satellite radio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and ambient noise tracks in higher trims. Difficulties with its voice recognition tech meant many users might prefer using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto instead. Premium models featured a 12-speaker Bose system and innovative features like Leading Vehicle Departure Alert.

Safety was paramount for both models. The 2021 Hyundai Elantra was built on a new platform designed to manage collision energy efficiently, and came standard with SmartSense ADAS, including features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-centering assistance, and driver attention warnings. Higher trims added cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Hyundai’s Highway Drive Assist offering Level 2 autonomous capability.

The 2022 Kia K5 similarly excelled in safety, equipped with Kia Drive Wise ADAS, which encompassed forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist among other features. The EX Premium package extended these capabilities with cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and additional parking aids. Critically, the K5 received top safety ratings from both IIHS and NHTSA with commendable real-world performance of its safety features.