2021 Lexus IS vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Lexus IS made a bold statement with its athletic proportions and great stance. Its design captured motion even while standing still, exuding elegance with a well-measured distance between the front axle and dashboard. The fast roofline and the kick-up of the window base at the back of the passenger door added a sporty and compact look. The new spindle grille with diamond mesh and narrow headlights gave the IS an assertive squint. Inside, the dash was tastefully simple, with a retro hi-fi feel to the center stack. The interior matched the exterior with bold, assertive choices and a modern aesthetic, though the analog clock felt outdated.

The 2022 Kia K5, available in multiple trims, offered a unique look with its low, long, and sleek design, suggesting a luxury sports sedan. Our test car, a K5 EX, featured Glacial White Pearl paint and an Ash Blue synthetic leather interior with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents. The K5 exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined sense of motion in the transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks. The car's design and build quality made it feel like a bargain-priced vehicle without compromising on quality.

The 2021 Lexus IS brought serious sport to the luxury sports sedan category. Tested at the Toyota Technical Center Shimoyama, the IS introduced the "Lexus Driving Signature," focusing on linear operation faithful to the driver's intentions. The IS 300 RWD featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder engine with 241 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The IS 300 AWD had a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 260 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The IS 350 models, both AWD and RWD, had the same V6 engine, tuned to 311 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. RWD models came with an eight-speed automatic transmission, while AWD models had a six-speed automatic. The IS had a top speed of 143 mph, with 0-60 mph times ranging from 6.9 seconds for the IS 300 RWD to 5.6 seconds for the IS 350 RWD. Fuel efficiency varied, with the IS 300 RWD rated at 21/31/25 mpg, the IS 300 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg, the IS 350 RWD at 20/28/23 mpg, and the IS 350 AWD at 19/26/22 mpg.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT offered maximum power with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering linear power delivery with little low-end lag. Drive Mode Select allowed calibration of the powertrain, and Active Sound Control added personality to the car. During testing, the K5 EX's 1.6-liter turbo performed well, with enough power for daily driving and merging onto freeways. The K5 EX returned 29.1 mpg in combined driving, close to the EPA's estimate of 31 mpg. The car had some road noise and suspension issues but offered excellent wind noise insulation and outward visibility. The K5 EX was reasonably capable but lacked the driving pleasure of competitors like the Honda Accord.

The 2021 Lexus IS focused on driver-centered form and function, with a great driver position and comfortable, supportive seats. The F Sport trim's bolstered seat was standard in IS 350 models, with heating and ventilation. The IS used perforated NuLuxe fabric, a synthetic upholstery that looked and felt like leather. Storage space was ample, with an open cubby, twin cupholders, big door pockets, a decent glovebox, and an under-armrest compartment. The second row was comfortable for two but cramped for three, with legroom negotiable with front-seat occupants. The trunk offered 10.8 cubic feet of space, with a temporary spare stored beneath the load floor.

The 2022 Kia K5 provided comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof added natural light to the interior. Entry and exit were harder due to the low-slung design, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had plenty of room, though hard plastic front seatback panels could be a liability. Controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin, a smartphone charging slot, a handy tray, and integrated trays in the door panel armrests. The K5 had a 16 cubic-foot trunk, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat, though it lacked a handle on the inside of the trunk lid.

The 2021 Lexus IS featured a touchscreen infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The touchpad remained but was no longer the default option. Lexus Enform Safety Connect, Service Connect, WiFi, and Remote were included with free trial periods. The Navigation Package included Dynamic Navigation and Destination Assist for the first three years. The Mark Levinson 17-speaker, 1,800-watt premium surround-sound audio system was a recommended option, offering superb audio quality and a CD player.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The standard system for LX and LXS trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for smartphone integration. The system included satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system, and Sounds of Nature ambient noise tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. The K5's infotainment system graphics were purple, and the voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2021 Lexus IS had not been rated for crashworthiness by the IIHS or NHTSA. It featured the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with steering assist, road-sign recognition, lane-tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included vehicle dynamic integrated management, tire pressure monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a backup camera, LED headlamps, taillamps, and running lights, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect with a three-year trial.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in driver assistance systems, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view monitoring system, and power rear child locks. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.