2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a bold new direction for Kia, shedding its past image of drab sedans. With its fastback form and striking design elements, the K5 was a visual standout. Styled in the GT-Line trim, it featured flat Wolf Gray paint and fire-engine red seats, drawing comparisons to the Audi A5 Sportback. The K5's design was marked by unique taillights, a long rear window, and a killer front with Z-shaped amber LED running lights. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions and details made it sportier and more appealing than its predecessor, the Optima. The interior was equally impressive, with a driver-focused dash, quality materials, and a sporty feel that set it apart from many competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Volkswagen Passat maintained a more understated look, following a facelift in 2020. Its design bore a strong resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan, with a smooth, aerodynamic shape reminiscent of 1990s jellybean sedans. The Passat's styling was clean and functional, with standard LED headlights and taillights, and a choice of wheel sizes depending on the trim. The interior was simple and practical, with well-placed analog controls and good visibility. However, the Passat's design choices, such as the flat-bottomed steering wheel, seemed out of place in a car that didn't emphasize sportiness. Overall, the Passat's design was more about functionality than flair.

The 2021 Kia K5 offered a range of powertrains, with the GT trim boasting a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. However, this power was fed through the front wheels, which could lead to handling challenges. The standard engine was a 1.6-liter turbo-four with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the K5's ride was balanced and isolated, the GT-Line's sporty appearance didn't translate to sporty handling. Fuel economy was impressive, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD models with the base engine.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the torque output was notable, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. The Passat's power delivery felt uneven, but switching to Sport mode improved responsiveness. The driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. The Passat's ride quality and cabin noise levels were adequate but not exceptional.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided comfortable seating for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The interior featured easy-to-use controls, a wireless charging pad, and an optional 10-inch display. Trunk space was 16 cubic feet, with the option to fold down the rear seats for additional cargo room.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat offered 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than some competitors. However, front legroom and headroom were below average, leading to an uncomfortable driving position for some. The Passat's cargo space was 15.9 cubic feet, more than some rivals but less than others. The interior layout was practical, with large buttons and knobs for easy control access, but the front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard.

The 2021 Kia K5 featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, along with LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, and various driver assistance features. The GT-Line trim added 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 and additional performance hardware.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with the MIB2 infotainment system, a 6.3-inch touchscreen, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto capability. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender audio system. The Passat's tech features were basic, lacking the Digital Cockpit and newer MIB3 system found in other VW models. The controls were straightforward, with large buttons and knobs for easy use.

The 2021 Kia K5 had not yet been rated by 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, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims offered additional features like blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and parking sensors.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores from IIHS in all crash tests, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. NHTSA had not published ratings for the Passat. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.