2021 Kia K5 vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2021 Kia K5 represented a fresh identity for Kia, moving away from the drab and unattractive sedans of its past. The K5, with its fastback form and GT-Line trim, showcased a stylish design reminiscent of the Audi A5 Sportback. The car featured a long rear window, unique taillights, and a polished black trim, giving it a sporty and appealing look. Despite some fake air vents and exhaust tips, the K5's proportions and design details made it a standout in its segment. The interior of the K5 was equally impressive, with a driver-focused dash, quality materials, and a sporty feel. The GT-Line trim added red seats, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and polished black trim, enhancing the overall upscale feel of the cabin.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, while mostly a carryover from the previous year, continued to impress with its futuristic and expressive design. The front end featured a sneering face and muscular features, with various wheel options depending on the trim level. The interior was equally futuristic, with a sweeping dashboard design and a well-organized center console. The second row offered ample space and comfort, even for the middle seat. Toyota's attention to fit and finish was evident, with high-quality materials and precise construction throughout the cabin. The Camry Hybrid's design and build quality made it a strong contender in the midsize sedan segment.

The 2021 Kia K5, despite its aggressive GT-Line styling, did not deliver the sporty performance one might expect. The suspension was softer, and the Pirelli P Zero All-Season tires struggled in tight turns. The standard engine was a 1.6-liter turbo-four producing 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the K5 offered good fuel economy, with an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined for FWD models, its performance fell short of the hype. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available with FWD, which could be problematic for handling.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid, on the other hand, focused on fuel efficiency and practicality. The hybrid system combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors, producing a total of 208 horsepower. The electronically controlled CVT sent power to the front wheels, with paddle shifters available on SE and XSE models. The Camry Hybrid excelled in fuel economy, with the LE model achieving an EPA-rated 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. Other trim levels achieved 44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined. The Camry Hybrid's handling was improved by the low-mounted battery pack, providing a lower center of gravity and better stability.

The 2021 Kia K5 offered a comfortable interior with ample space for two adults in the back, despite its raked profile. The front seats were supportive and firm, making long drives comfortable. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with an optional 10-inch display. Trunk space was 16 cubic feet, providing plenty of room for cargo. However, the lack of rear air vents was a notable omission.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid provided a comfortable and versatile interior. The driving position was adjustable to suit a wide range of preferences, and the front seats offered plenty of storage options. The second row was spacious and easy to access, with generous bottle holders and map pockets. The trunk offered 15.1 cubic feet of space, with a passthrough for long items and fold-down rear seats for additional cargo capacity. Toyota's warranty coverage was comprehensive, including a 10-year/100,000-mile hybrid battery warranty.

The 2021 Kia K5 came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to set up and use. The LX trim included LED headlights, auto high beams, dual-zone climate control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and a 10-inch infotainment display. The GT-Line trim included 18-inch wheels, fog lights, and a power driver's seat. The EX trim offered heated and ventilated seats, rear air vents, and a Bose stereo system. The GT trim added paddle shifters and 19-inch wheels.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid featured Toyota's latest technology, including a premium JBL audio system with nine speakers and sophisticated algorithms for high-quality sound. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa were standard on all models, along with a WiFi hotspot. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims had a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE trims had a 9-inch touchscreen. All models came with Toyota's smart key system, push-button start, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The XSE trim offered a 10-inch head-up display, bird’s-eye view camera, and ventilated seats.

The 2021 Kia K5 was equipped with a range of standard safety features, including forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Rear side airbags and a driver’s knee airbag were also standard. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring, rear emergency braking, and parking sensors. The K5 had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but its stronger chassis and body shell suggested it would perform well in safety tests.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ as standard, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry Hybrid also featured Toyota’s Star safety system, with stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and more. It had 10 airbags, including knee airbags and side-curtain airbags. A blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert was available on lower trims and standard on higher trims. The 2021 Camry Hybrid received the highest Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS, and the 2022 model was expected to receive the same rating. The NHTSA gave the 2022 Camry Hybrid a five-star overall safety rating.