2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat
Overview | |
MSRP$23,590 | MSRP$23,995 |
Average price$22,864 | Average price$19,476 |
Listings1290 | Listings444 |
Ratings & Reviews | |
User Reviews | User Reviews |
Expert reviews7.7 out of 10 | Expert reviews6.5 out of 10 |
Pros
| Pros
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2021 Kia K5 Reviews SummarySedans 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 Volkswagen Passat Reviews SummaryDespite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model. | |
No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | |
Engine1.6L 180 hp I4 | Engine2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive TrainFWD | Drive TrainFWD |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Horsepower180 hp @ 5500 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City27 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway37 | MPG Highway36 |
Engine | |
Engine Name1.6L 180 hp I4 | Engine Name2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque195 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | Torque206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower180 hp @ 5500 rpm | Horsepower174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
DrivetrainFWD | DrivetrainFWD |
Fuel Economy | |
MPG City27 | MPG City24 |
MPG Highway37 | MPG Highway36 |
Interior | |
Seating Capacity5 | Seating Capacity5 |
Safety | |
Front Crash Overall4 | Front Crash Overall4 |
Side Crash Overall5 | Side Crash Overall5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | |
Cargo Space16.0 cu ft | Cargo Space15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight3115 lbs | Curb Weight3314 lbs |
Height56.9 in | Height58.7 in |
Length193.1 in | Length193.6 in |
Width73.2 in | Width72.6 in |
Wheelbase112.2 in | Wheelbase110.4 in |
Maximum Payload1239 lbs | Maximum Payload948 lbs |
Number of doors4 | Number of doors4 |
Overview | ||
MSRP | $23,590 | $23,995 |
Average price | $22,864 | $19,476 |
Listings | ||
Ratings & Reviews | ||
User reviews | 4.7 | 4.5 |
Expert reviews | 7.7 out of 10Read full review | 6.5 out of 10Read full review |
Pros & cons | Pros
| Pros
|
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. | Despite its German branding, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat is an All-American midsize sedan. It was developed specifically for the United States market, and it’s built in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2011, when the Americanized Passat was launched, VW thought the sedan was the key to dominating the U.S. market. Midsize sedans like the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry were still the default choice for most buyers at that time, after all. A lot has changed since then—SUVs are surging in popularity, and a diesel-emissions scandal has forced VW to focus more on electric cars—but the Passat rolls on. With the flashier Arteon now in the lineup, however, the Passat has been repositioned as VW's value-focused midsize sedan. The Passat got a significant update for the 2020 model year, so changes for 2021 are fairly limited. The previously-available Passat SEL trim level is gone, leaving just the base S, SE, and R-Line models. Adaptive cruise control is now standard across the board, and some trim levels get more standard equipment as well. Our test car was a mid-level SE model. |
Video | No video found | |
Popular Features & Specs | ||
Engine | 1.6L 180 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Drive Train | FWD | FWD |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5500 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
MPG City | 27 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 37 | 36 |
Engine | ||
Engine Name | 1.6L 180 hp I4 | 2.0L 174 hp I4 |
Torque | 195 lb-ft @ 1500 rpm | 206 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm |
Horsepower | 180 hp @ 5500 rpm | 174 hp @ 5200 rpm |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
Fuel Economy | ||
MPG City | 27 | 24 |
MPG Highway | 37 | 36 |
Interior | ||
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
Safety | ||
Front Crash Overall | 4 | 4 |
Side Crash Overall | 5 | 5 |
Dimensions & Capacity | ||
Cargo Space | 16.0 cu ft | 15.9 cu ft |
Curb Weight | 3115 lbs | 3314 lbs |
Height | 56.9 in | 58.7 in |
Length | 193.1 in | 193.6 in |
Width | 73.2 in | 72.6 in |
Wheelbase | 112.2 in | 110.4 in |
Maximum Payload | 1239 lbs | 948 lbs |
Number of doors | 4 | 4 |
By: CarGurus + AI
This car comparison has been created with using generative AI. It is based entirely on CarGurus expert review content, ratings and data, and leverages our extensive library of hands-on product tests to create thousands of unique comparisons to help shoppers choose the right car.