2022 Audi A4 vs 2021 Kia K5

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from the drab sedans of its past. With its fastback form and GT-Line trim, the K5 was reminiscent of the performance-oriented Kia Stinger. The exterior featured a long rear window, unique taillights, and a polished black trim, giving it a sporty and stylish appearance. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions made it look sportier than its predecessor, the Optima. The interior was equally impressive, with a driver-focused dash, red seats with black accents, and quality materials throughout. The K5 exuded sportiness and quality, making it a standout in its class.

The 2022 Audi A4, on the other hand, maintained a simple, clean, and conservative appearance. Our test car, a Prestige 45 TFSI model, featured Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, and 19-inch wheels, making it look sensational. Inside, the A4 showcased aesthetic restraint with black everything, aluminum trim, and gloss black décor. The high-quality materials, 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, and ambient interior lighting added to its upscale feel. However, the tablet-style touchscreen infotainment system looked out of place. Overall, the A4's interior was comfortable and well-designed, with a focus on simplicity and functionality.

The 2021 Kia K5's performance didn't quite match its aggressive styling. The GT-Line model, with its 1.6-liter turbo-four engine producing 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offered good brakes and communicative steering but fell short in handling. The suspension had softer damping, and the Pirelli P Zero All-Season tires squealed in tight turns. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine delivering 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available in front-wheel drive. Fuel economy was impressive, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD models. The K5 was a good family sedan but didn't live up to its sporty trim's hype.

The 2022 Audi A4 45 TFSI, with its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine producing 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, offered a refined and engaging driving experience. The A4's seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro Ultra AWD system provided smooth and responsive performance. Audi claimed a 0-60 mph time of 5.2 seconds, and the EPA estimated 27 mpg in combined driving. The A4's handling was impressive, with outstanding tire grip and a rock-solid structure. The steering could have been better, but the overall driving experience was joyful. The A4's quiet cabin and effective driver assistance tech added to its appeal as a great German sports sedan.

The 2021 Kia K5 offered comfortable seating for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, making long drives enjoyable. The infotainment system was simple and quick to operate, with an optional 10-inch display. Trunk space was generous at 16 cubic feet, and the wireless charging pad was a handy feature. However, the lack of rear air vents was a drawback.

The 2022 Audi A4's low seating position made it harder to enter and exit, but once inside, it was exceptionally comfortable in the front. The heated and ventilated driver's seat offered a perfect driving position, and the three-zone automatic climate control system was easy to use. The back seat was snug, with limited space for stretching out, but comfortable for shorter trips. Interior storage space was limited, with the center console bin housing the wireless charging pad. The A4's 13 cubic-foot trunk was nicely finished and practical, with storage nets and grab handles for easy use.

The 2021 Kia K5 came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard, making it easy to set up. The GT-Line trim added features like fog lights, rear USB ports, and a power driver's seat. The Premium package included a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and triple LED projector headlights. The EX trim offered heated and ventilated seats, a Bose stereo system, and a 10-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM and UVO link. The GT trim added paddle shifters and 19-inch wheels. The K5's adaptive cruise control worked well, even without navigation.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the next-generation MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen display. The screen supported common smartphone functions and offered acoustic feedback. The A4 included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Audi Connect connected services. The test car also had a navigation system, wireless smartphone charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium audio system. The MMI was intuitive and easy to use, with separate climate controls and useful voice recognition technology. The Bang & Olufsen stereo provided excellent sound quality, and the head-up display was a useful feature.

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 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 2022 Audi A4's safety features were stair-stepped based on trim level. The Prestige model included front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. Adaptive cruise control with Traffic Jam Assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a safe exit warning system, a surround-view camera system, and Park Assist were also included. The A4 received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.