2021 Kia K5 vs 2022 Nissan Altima

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a noteworthy departure from Kia's somewhat mundane past, transitioning from the Optima to a fresh, bold identity. This vehicle was lauded for its sleek fastback form, closely resembling the more performance-oriented Kia Stinger. Sporting a GT-Line trim, our test car featured a striking flat Wolf Gray paint finish, contrasted with vibrant red seats. The K5’s design boasted numerous aesthetically pleasing details, such as a long rear window, polished black D-pillar trim, and distinctive taillights with dashed LEDs, all contributing to its wide stance. The front fascia stood out with Z-shaped amber LED running lights that seamlessly blended into a honeycomb grille, surrounded by intricate lower bumper elements. While the base 16-inch wheels could dull its striking appearance, upgrading them was a must for those seeking maximum visual appeal. The K5’s interior showcased a sporty, driver-focused layout with a split dash design and red-accented seats in the GT-Line trim. Every material, from the vinyl seats to the padded dash, was chosen to enhance a sense of quality and refinement.

In contrast, the 2022 Nissan Altima aimed to maintain the sporty image initiated with its third generation. Its exterior included a prominent V-Motion grille, creased body lines, and a sharply sloped floating roofline. Despite this cohesive design, the floating roofline appeared somewhat extraneous. Like the Kia, the Altima in Midnight Edition trim flaunted fashion-forward elements such as gloss black-painted sports grille and 19-inch wheels, all accentuated by an overall Gun Metallic paint job. The interior of the Altima impressed with Zero Gravity front seats and a straightforward, user-friendly center stack. However, Nissan's choice of materials varied significantly across trims, making higher trims increasingly desirable for a more premium experience. Despite these perks, the Altima's cabin design prioritized functionality, ensuring a comfortable, albeit less awe-inspiring, environment than the K5.

The Kia K5, while visually striking in its GT-Line trim, didn't deliver on sporty performance as much as its appearance suggested. The GT-Line suffered from softer suspension damping and less agile handling; it lacked paddle shifters, unlike some competitors. However, the K5 showed promise in the GT trim, boasting a robust 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Despite this, the decision to couple this engine only with FWD raised concerns regarding handling. The standard 1.6-liter turbo-four engine produced a competent 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, appropriate for everyday commuting but underwhelming in spirited driving. When it came to efficiency, the K5 excelled, achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined in FWD models.

On the other hand, the 2022 Nissan Altima offered two engine choices: the standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 188 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, and the innovative 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) generating 248 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. The performance of the base engine, particularly in AWD configurations, was lackluster with mediocre acceleration. However, the sophisticated VC-Turbo engine proved worthwhile despite its limitation to FWD in the SR trim. The VC-Turbo could adjust its compression ratio, balancing performance and fuel efficiency, an impressive feat from Nissan. The Altima's ride quality shone through, attributed to its excellent suspension system and Active Ride Control, which ensured a smooth, quiet ride. While the AWD model lacked sprightliness in performance, its overall refinement and noise insulation were remarkable.

Despite the K5’s fastback silhouette, its interior space comfortably accommodated two adults in the rear, aided by the roof and seatback design modifications to maximize headroom and legroom. Rear passengers only missed out on air vents, which would have augmented comfort. The front seating proved supportive for long drives, complemented by an intelligently designed infotainment system and numerous thoughtful touches like a practical wireless charging pad. The trunk offered a robust 16 cubic feet of cargo space before accounting for the folding rear seats.

The Altima fulfilled its role effectively as a midsize commuter car with a focus on essential comfort and practicality. The Altima’s dimensions positioned it centrally among its competitors, ensuring adequate but not exceptional passenger and cargo space. The trunk offered 15.4 cubic feet of space, falling slightly behind the K5’s capacity but still functional for everyday use. While Nissan’s design choices, like the high rear shelf and sloping roofline, affected rear visibility, the interior provided a consistently comfortable environment with straightforward controls and plush seating.

The 2021 Kia K5 stood out in technology, featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto from the base model. The GT-Line enhanced the driving experience with key upgrades such as a power driver’s seat, fog lights, and 18-inch wheels. The Premium package added advanced features like a panoramic sunroof and adaptive cruise control. The EX trim offered additional comforts such as ventilated seats, a Bose stereo system, and a 10-inch infotainment display. The GT trim brought performance enhancements and advanced voice command functionalities compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, supplemented by a semi-automated Smart Cruise Control system known as Highway Driving Assist.

The 2022 Nissan Altima came well-equipped with tech features from the basic S trim, which included a 7-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims saw significant upgrades, with the SL trim offering an 8-inch infotainment system, navigation, and a nine-speaker Bose system. Advanced driver-assist features, such as ProPilot Assist, provided semi-autonomous driving capabilities, significantly enhancing the driving experience. The Altima's tech package was comprehensive, balancing convenience and safety, though it required higher trims to access the most advanced features.

The 2021 Kia K5 had not yet been rated by IIHS or NHTSA, but expected to score highly due to its robust design and comprehensive safety features. Standard safety included forward emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and rear side airbags. Higher trims added advanced technologies like Junction Turning and rear emergency braking.

Conversely, the 2022 Nissan Altima was recognized for its safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA for its FWD variant. Nissan's Safety Shield 360 was available from the SV trim upwards, adding vital features like rear automatic braking and blind-spot monitoring. These accolades solidified the Altima as a safe choice among midsize sedans.