2021 Subaru Impreza vs 2021 Kia K5

2021 Kia K5
2021 Kia K5
$23,590MSRP
Overview
Overview
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2021 Subaru Impreza
2021 Subaru Impreza
$18,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Kia K5
$23,590MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Impreza
$18,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Kia K5 is 7.7 out of 10, while the 2021 Subaru Impreza scores 7.7 out of 10. Both cars offer unique strengths, but the final recommendation depends on your priorities. If you value style, advanced technology, and fuel efficiency, the Kia K5 is a great choice. However, if safety, versatility, and reliability are your top concerns, the Subaru Impreza is the better option.

Overview

MSRP

$23,590

MSRP

$18,795

Average price

$21,609

Average price

$19,443

Listings

1246

Listings

202
Ratings & Reviews
User Reviews
User Reviews

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Fun to drive
  • Stylish design
Cons
  • Drives less sporty than it looks
  • All-wheel drive not available
Pros
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Comfortable
  • Manual transmission available
Cons
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Not much cargo space
  • Uninspired styling

2021 Kia K5 Reviews Summary

Sedans are now the most exciting new cars in the mainstream market. They are to crossovers today what craft beer was in the early 2000s. They’re not on every corner anymore because Americans prefer trucks over cars, but sedans like the 2021 Kia K5 are refreshing to see, surprisingly good to drive, and will make you look cultured and smart without having to try. The K5—and its new name—replaces the Optima and upgrades nearly everything in the pursuit of style and performance. It’s one of the best midsize sedans out there.

2021 Subaru Impreza Reviews Summary

Subaru developed a cult following thanks to cars like the Impreza. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Impreza has been a hit in wintry climates, offering the low operating costs of a compact car without the limited foul-weather capability of the mostly front-wheel drive (FWD) competition.

The current Impreza represents the model’s fifth generation, and dates back to the 2017 model year. Available in sedan and hatchback form, the Impreza has also spawned the sporty Subaru WRX and more rugged looking Subaru Crosstrek, which have overshadowed the basic Impreza to some extent. We’ll cover the WRX and Crosstrek in separate reviews.

Changes for the 2021 model year are limited to availability of SI-Drive drive modes on the Impreza Premium trim level (this feature was previously available only on the Impreza Sport) and a $100 price increase. The full Impreza lineup remains unchanged, encompassing base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trim levels for both the sedan and hatchback. Consequently, we’ll look back on our experience with previous model years for this overview.

No video found
Popular Features & Specs

Engine

1.6L 180 hp I4

Engine

2.0L 152 hp H4

Drive Train

FWD

Drive Train

AWD

Seating Capacity

5

Seating Capacity

5

Horsepower

180 hp @ 5500 rpm

Horsepower

152 hp @ 6000 rpm

MPG City

27

MPG City

28

MPG Highway

37

MPG Highway

36
2021 Kia K5
2021 Kia K5
$23,590MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Impreza
2021 Subaru Impreza
$18,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Kia K5
$23,590MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now
2021 Subaru Impreza
$18,795MSRP
Overview
Overview
OverviewShop Now

CarGurus highlights

Winning Vehicle Image

According to CarGurus experts, the overall rating for the 2021 Kia K5 is 7.7 out of 10, while the 2021 Subaru Impreza scores 7.7 out of 10. Both cars offer unique strengths, but the final recommendation depends on your priorities. If you value style, advanced technology, and fuel efficiency, the Kia K5 is a great choice. However, if safety, versatility, and reliability are your top concerns, the Subaru Impreza is the better option.

Overview
MSRP
$23,590
$18,795
Average price
$21,609
$19,443
Listings
Ratings & Reviews
User reviews
4.7
5.0
Expert reviews

7.7 out of 10

Read full review

7.7 out of 10

Read full review
Pros & cons
Pros
  • Multiple powertrain options
  • Fun to drive
  • Stylish design
Cons
  • Drives less sporty than it looks
  • All-wheel drive not available
Pros
  • Standard all-wheel drive
  • Comfortable
  • Manual transmission available
Cons
  • Interior materials feel cheap
  • Not much cargo space
  • Uninspired styling
Summary
Sedans are now the most exciting new cars in the mainstream market. They are to crossovers today what craft beer was in the early 2000s. They’re not on every corner anymore because Americans prefer trucks over cars, but sedans like the 2021 Kia K5 are refreshing to see, surprisingly good to drive, and will make you look cultured and smart without having to try. The K5—and its new name—replaces the Optima and upgrades nearly everything in the pursuit of style and performance. It’s one of the best midsize sedans out there.

Subaru developed a cult following thanks to cars like the Impreza. Thanks to standard all-wheel drive (AWD), the Impreza has been a hit in wintry climates, offering the low operating costs of a compact car without the limited foul-weather capability of the mostly front-wheel drive (FWD) competition.

The current Impreza represents the model’s fifth generation, and dates back to the 2017 model year. Available in sedan and hatchback form, the Impreza has also spawned the sporty Subaru WRX and more rugged looking Subaru Crosstrek, which have overshadowed the basic Impreza to some extent. We’ll cover the WRX and Crosstrek in separate reviews.

Changes for the 2021 model year are limited to availability of SI-Drive drive modes on the Impreza Premium trim level (this feature was previously available only on the Impreza Sport) and a $100 price increase. The full Impreza lineup remains unchanged, encompassing base, Premium, Sport, and Limited trim levels for both the sedan and hatchback. Consequently, we’ll look back on our experience with previous model years for this overview.

Video
No video found
Popular Features & Specs
Engine
1.6L 180 hp I4
2.0L 152 hp H4
Drive Train
FWD
AWD
Seating Capacity
5
5
Horsepower
180 hp @ 5500 rpm
152 hp @ 6000 rpm
MPG City
27
28
MPG Highway
37
36
Look and feel
2021 Kia K5
8/10
2021 Subaru Impreza
8/10

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from the drab and unattractive sedans of its past. With a sleek fastback form and stylish details, the K5 was a head-turner. The GT-Line trim, with its flat Wolf Gray paint and red seats, gave it an Audi A5 Sportback-like appearance. The K5 featured a long rear window, unique taillights, and a sporty front with Z-shaped LED running lights. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions and design elements made it a visually appealing sedan.

Inside, the K5's interior was equally impressive. The dash was split between driver and passenger, with a center stack angled toward the driver. The GT-Line trim featured red seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and quality materials throughout. The vinyl seats felt like leather, and the hard plastic areas had a good finish. The K5's interior exuded sportiness and quality, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza, on the other hand, had a more conservative design compared to its previous generations. Both the sedan and hatchback versions featured sleek headlights and taillights, a nicely-tapered front end, and toned-down wheel arch sheetmetal. The Impreza Sport models had specific styling touches, including 18-inch alloy wheels, while base models came with 16-inch steel wheels. The Impreza's design was handsome, if not particularly distinctive.

Inside, the Impreza's interior was typical of compact cars, with a dashboard split by the infotainment touchscreen. The Sport trim added contrast stitching, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and aluminum pedals, while the Limited trim offered leather upholstery and LED headlights. The Impreza's interior was functional but lacked excitement, focusing more on practicality than style.

Performance
2021 Kia K5
6/10
2021 Subaru Impreza
7/10

The 2021 Kia K5's performance did not quite match its aggressive GT-Line styling. The GT-Line model lacked paddle shifters and had softer suspension damping, making it less sporty than competitors like the Volkswagen GLI. The standard engine was a 1.6-liter turbo-four with 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing good acceleration but lacking midrange power. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available with front-wheel drive. Fuel economy was impressive, with the FWD model achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza came with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine producing 152 horsepower and 145 lb-ft of torque. Most models featured a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while a five-speed manual was available on the base and Sport trims. The Impreza Sport had model-specific suspension tuning and torque vectoring for improved handling. While the Impreza was a solid and refined daily driver, it lacked the engagement of competitors like the Honda Civic or Mazda 3. The Sport trim offered a good balance between ride quality and handling, but the engine's lack of power and noncommunicative steering kept it from being a true driver's car.

Form and function
2021 Kia K5
9/10
2021 Subaru Impreza
7/10

The 2021 Kia K5 offered comfortable seating for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The infotainment system and central display were user-friendly, and the wireless charging pad was conveniently placed. Trunk space was 16 cubic feet, with the option to fold down the rear seats for additional storage.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza sedan had 12.3 cubic feet of trunk space, the least among compact sedans, but it did offer a standard 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The hatchback version provided 20.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place, expanding to 55.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Impreza's interior offered reasonable legroom, though headroom was below average. Higher trim levels included features like heated front seats, a heated windshield, and a power moonroof.

Technology
2021 Kia K5
7/10
2021 Subaru Impreza
7/10

The 2021 Kia K5 came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to set up. The LX trim included LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and lane-keep assist. The LXS trim added folding rear seats, push-button start, and remote start. The GT-Line trim upgraded to 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 performance features.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza featured a 6.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base and Premium trims, while higher trims had an 8-inch touchscreen. The Limited trim offered TomTom-based navigation and a Harman Kardon audio system. The Impreza's infotainment system was user-friendly, with large touchscreen icons and easy access to important functions. A secondary display provided additional information close to the driver's line of sight.

Safety
2021 Kia K5
8/10
2021 Subaru Impreza
9/10

The 2021 Kia K5 had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores due to its strong 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, cyclist detection, and rear emergency braking.

The 2021 Subaru Impreza received an IIHS "Top Safety Pick" award and a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features on CVT-equipped models included Subaru's EyeSight suite, which offered automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and lane-departure warning. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear automatic braking.

Cost Effectiveness
2021 Kia K5
8/10
2021 Subaru Impreza
8/10
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