2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Nissan Maxima

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from the drab and ugly sedans of its past. The K5, with its fastback form and GT-Line trim, showcased a stylish design reminiscent of the performance-oriented Kia Stinger. The exterior featured a long rear window, unique taillights, and a killer front with Z-shaped amber LED running lights. The interior was equally impressive, with a driver-focused dash, red seats with black accents, and quality materials throughout. Despite some minor drawbacks like the base 16-inch wheels, the K5 exuded sportiness and quality.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima set the tone for other Nissan models with its bold styling elements like the “floating” roofline and “V-Motion” grille. The Maxima’s steeply-angled front end and massive grille gave it an Art Deco locomotive look. The 40th Anniversary Edition added a two-tone exterior, gloss-black alloy wheels, and red semi-aniline leather upholstery, enhancing its sinister appearance. The interior featured dark-red leather seats and white gauge faces, providing a stylish and functional cabin. However, the Maxima’s design was toned down in subsequent models, and it faced competition from equally bizarre-looking sedans like the Toyota Avalon.

The 2021 Kia K5’s performance didn’t quite match its aggressive GT-Line styling. The standard 1.6-liter turbo-four engine produced 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing good fuel economy at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. However, the GT-Line’s handling fell short, with softer suspension damping and squealing tires in tight turns. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available in FWD, which could spell disaster without a limited-slip differential.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima, on the other hand, came with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 300 horsepower and 261 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and FWD. The Maxima felt quick and agile, with a great-sounding V6 engine. However, its steering lacked precision, and the front end struggled with grip, leading to torque steer under heavy throttle. Despite these issues, the Maxima offered a comfortable ride and a quiet cabin, making it a decent choice for highway cruising. Compared to competitors, the Maxima’s sporty design from the beginning gave it an edge, although the Kia Stinger’s RWD setup topped it in performance.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided ample space for two adults in the back, with scalloped roof portions and front seatbacks ensuring enough headroom and legroom. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The infotainment system was user-friendly, and the wireless charging pad was a handy feature. The K5 offered 16 cubic feet of trunk space, which could be expanded by folding down the rear seats.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Maxima prioritized front-seat space at the expense of rear-seat passengers. While front headroom and legroom were generous, rear headroom and legroom were among the worst in its class. The seats were positioned far inboard, creating a cramped feeling despite the spacious front. The Maxima’s “Zero Gravity” front seats, designed using NASA research, provided excellent support and comfort. However, the Maxima’s cargo space was limited to 14.3 cubic feet, the least among its competitors.

The 2021 Kia K5 excelled in technology with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to set up. The GT-Line trim added features like 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and a power driver’s seat. The EX trim offered heated and ventilated seats, a Bose stereo system, and a 10-inch infotainment display. The GT trim included paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, and advanced voice command features. The K5’s adaptive cruise control and semi-automated lane-centering system worked well, even without navigation.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima’s technology showed its age, despite covering the basics with an 8-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The built-in WiFi hotspot and USB-A and USB-C ports were convenient, but the infotainment system’s graphics and small icons made it difficult to use. The Maxima did provide plenty of analog controls, but the notification sounds were jarring. The available 11-speaker Bose audio system was a plus, but overall, the Maxima’s technology fell short compared to newer systems.

The 2021 Kia K5 was too new to be rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores 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. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and parking sensors.

The 2021 Nissan Maxima received an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and rear automatic emergency braking. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, a driver-alertness monitor, and a 360-degree camera system. However, the Maxima didn’t get the ProPilot Assist system available in other Nissan models.