2021 Kia K5 vs 2022 Lexus ES

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from the drab and unattractive sedans of its past. The K5, especially in its GT-Line trim, showcased a fastback form reminiscent of the performance-oriented Kia Stinger. With its flat Wolf Gray paint and fire-engine red seats, the K5 exuded a sporty and upscale vibe. The design details, such as the long ovoid-shaped rear window, unique taillights, and Z-shaped amber LED running lights, made the K5 a standout. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the overall proportions and styling of the K5 were sporty and pleasing.

Inside, the K5 continued to impress with a driver-focused dash, red seats with black accents, and a flat-bottom steering wheel. The materials used in the interior, including polished black trim and quality vinyl seats, added to the upscale feel. The K5's interior design showed a knack for style and sportiness, making it a significant departure from the interiors of most GM and Ford vehicles.

The 2022 Lexus ES, on the other hand, had a long-standing reputation as an "executive sedan" or "elegant sedan." The latest generation, launched in 2018, featured the Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform, shared with models like the Lexus RX and Toyota Camry. The ES had elegant proportions and a sleek roofline, though the prominent spindle grille and assertive headlamp shapes were polarizing. The ES came standard with 17-inch wheels, with 18-inch and 19-inch options available.

Inside, the ES had a layered and precisely assembled dashboard, though its asymmetrical design gave it a jumbled look. The F Sport model featured bold two-tone leather seating, adding a sporty touch to the otherwise conservative interior. The inclusion of a small analog chronometer in the touchscreen housing was a nod to the ES's heritage but felt dated. Overall, the ES's interior was functional but lacked the wow factor.

The 2021 Kia K5's performance did not quite match its aggressive styling. The GT-Line model, with its softer suspension and Pirelli P Zero All-Season tires, fell short in handling compared to competitors like the Volkswagen GLI. The standard 1.6-liter turbo-four engine produced 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, providing decent acceleration but lacking midrange power. The eight-speed automatic transmission was quick but not always smooth. Fuel economy was a strong point, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD models. The AWD version had slightly lower estimates. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available in FWD.

The 2022 Lexus ES offered three powertrain options. The base ES 250 AWD had a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 203 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque, achieving 25 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. The ES 350 featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 307 hp and 267 lb-ft of torque, providing a 0-60 mph time of 6.6 seconds and fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 26 mpg combined. The ES 300h hybrid combined a 176-hp four-cylinder engine with a 39-hp electric motor for a net 215 hp, achieving an impressive 43 mpg city, 44 mpg highway, and 44 mpg combined. The ES 250 AWD's performance was underwhelming, but the ES 350's V6 and the ES 300h's fuel economy were strong points.

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 was user-friendly, with an optional 10-inch display. Trunk space was generous at 16 cubic feet, and the rear seats could fold down for additional storage.

The 2022 Lexus ES had 13.9 cubic feet of trunk space, with a pass-through for long items and fold-flat rear seats in the ES 250 and ES 350. The ES's lower center of gravity and ground clearance contributed to better handling compared to its SUV counterpart, the Lexus RX. Inside, the ES had ample storage, including big bottle pockets, cupholders, and a large glove compartment. The dash layout was functional, with a prominent volume knob for the audio system.

The 2021 Kia K5 came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to set up. The GT-Line trim added features like 18-inch wheels, 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. Higher trims offered heated and ventilated seats, a Bose stereo system, and a 10-inch infotainment display with advanced voice command features.

The 2022 Lexus ES featured an 8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Upper trims upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a Mark Levinson 17-speaker audio system. The ES also had a 10-inch head-up display, a Panoramic View Monitor, and Lexus Enform connected services, including Safety Connect, Service Connect, and Remote.

The 2021 Kia K5 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to score well due to its strong chassis and body shell. Standard safety features included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and parking sensors.

The 2022 Lexus ES received top safety ratings from both IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and NHTSA (five-star rating). Standard safety features included the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, with pre-collision detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, and Intelligent High Beam Control. The ES also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and 10 airbags.