2021 Kia K5 vs 2022 Honda Civic

The 2021 Kia K5 marked a fresh chapter for Kia's identity with a noticeable stylistic departure from previous models like the Optima. The GT-Line trim, especially in flat Wolf Gray paint with fire-engine red seats, made the K5 an eye-catcher reminiscent of an Audi A5 Sportback. Peter Schreyer, the chief designer, ensured the K5 had significant details such as a long ovoid-shaped rear window, Z-shaped amber LED running lights, and a honeycomb grille with unique textures. Despite its robotic-sounding name, the K5’s design had a cohesive and upscale feel. Inside, the K5 continued to impress with features such as a Supra-style dashboard. The red and black-accented seats along with the flat-bottom steering wheel made the cabin sporty and luxurious. The quality materials in the interiors, polished black trims, and well-designed elements like the overlapping instrument panel and stylish door armrests exhibited a level of sophistication missing in many competitors. In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic opted for a more conservative and grown-up design. Stripped of the complex curves and angles of its predecessor, the new Civic displayed a more subdued appearance akin to its larger Accord sibling. The redesign was aimed at providing a simpler and less controversial look. Inside, the Civic had a minimalist and intuitively designed layout. The dashboard featured a sophisticated honeycomb mesh to disguise the air vents elegantly, while the materials quality had been markedly improved. The Civic’s interior exuded class, especially in the Touring trim, which sported leather seats and an improved overall material feel.

The K5, particularly in its GT-Line trim, looked sportier than it drove. Sporting a 1.6-liter turbo-four engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, the car provided a smooth and responsive drive but didn't live up to the aggressive exterior in performance. The standard eight-speed automatic transmission was competent but lacked the finesse of a sports sedan. Fuel economy was commendable at an EPA-rated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for the FWD models. More thrilling was the GT variant of the K5, which boasted a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Yet, the front-wheel-drive setup and lack of a limited-slip differential limited this powertrain's effectiveness under vigorous handling. As of the review, the GT trim had not been rated for fuel efficiency. The 2022 Honda Civic, on the other hand, offered more refined driving dynamics. The base LX and Sport trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 hp and 138 lb-ft of torque. For those craving more power, the EX and Touring trims housed a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 180 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque, rendering the Civic quicker and more enjoyable to drive. Honda's utilization of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) in both engines received a Step Shift programming overhaul, which mimicked traditional automatic transmissions, providing a more satisfying driving experience. Fuel economy for the Civic Touring model, however, fell a bit short at 30.4 mpg against the EPA’s 34 mpg expectation during spirited driving.

The 2021 Kia K5 and 2022 Honda Civic offered commendable comfort and utility, evident in their respective designs. The K5, despite its sloping roofline, comfortably accommodated two adults in the back seats, thanks to smart space management like scalloped roof sections and front seatbacks for additional head and legroom. Overall comfort was good, although the absence of rear air vents was a notable downside. The front seats were firm and supportive, perfect for extended drives, and the wireless charging pad was thoughtfully placed for ease of access. Trunk space in the K5 was generous at 16 cubic feet, which expanded further when the rear seats were folded. The 2022 Honda Civic also prioritized comfort with redesigned front seats that offered excellent support, helped by power adjustments in the Touring trim. Though slightly low to the ground, the Civic allowed adequate ease of entry and exit. Despite good thigh support, the backrest angle might have been too reclined for some. Like the K5, the Civic lacked rear air-conditioning vents. The redesigned center console and trunk capacity of 14.8 cubic feet were adequate but less voluminous compared to the K5's cargo space.

The tech offerings of both the 2021 Kia K5 and the 2022 Honda Civic brought a mix of convenience and high-end features. The K5 was particularly user-friendly with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto across the board. The GT-Line added enhancements such as turn signals on mirrors, rear USB ports, and power driver’s seat adjustments. Higher trims featured a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and a fully loaded infotainment system with voice commands compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. However, the LX trim lacked some basic features like folding rear seats and push-button start. The 2022 Honda Civic, with its naturally lit digital instrumentation, provided a state-of-the-art experience. The base setup included a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a four-speaker system, while the Touring trim boasted a 10-inch digital display, a 9-inch touchscreen, and a 12-speaker Bose system. Wireless smartphone integration, HD radio, and a more refined voice recognition system enhanced practicality. Yet, the infotainment system’s relatively slow initialization was a minor drawback.

Safety was paramount in both models, yet the Kia K5 raised expectations with comprehensive standard and optional features. While it had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, it was anticipated to receive high marks due to its robust chassis. The K5 came with rear side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Advanced features, such as blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist and cyclist detection, elevated its safety profile. The 2022 Honda Civic introduced improved Honda Sensing features including Traffic Jam Assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking—all operating with enhanced accuracy due to a new wide-view front camera and eight ultrasonic sonar sensors. The Civic also upgraded from its previous LaneWatch system to a proper blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert, albeit limited to higher trims. Rear side-impact airbags and a rear-seat reminder system were standard across the lineup, improving overall safety for all passengers.