2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, showcased a departure from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. This design philosophy, termed "sensual purity" by Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener, aimed to create a smooth and elegant aesthetic. The 2021 model featured a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear design echoed the W212 with horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid. New bumpers with larger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels were among the major changes, maintaining the car's handsome and elegant appearance across its sedan, wagon, coupe, and convertible variants.

However, the standing hood ornament on the sedans and wagons was discontinued, a classic Mercedes feature that was part of the Luxury package. This package also included smaller wheels and a softer-riding suspension. The Sport package, which replaced the hood ornament with a large star emblem in the grille, became popular among buyers, though it was considered gaudy by some. The AMG models, with their vertical grille slats and prominent star emblem, suited the performance-oriented design. The E-Class interior was a luxurious space filled with rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber, complemented by metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and ambient lighting. The dashboard featured two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color, and the new steering wheels added a modern touch. The E-Class interior remained unmatched in its price range, offering a lavish and modern experience.

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT trim levels, all featuring turbocharged engines. The LXS and GT-Line offered optional all-wheel drive (AWD). Base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge. Our test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive (FWD), extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, had an MSRP of $33,945. The K5's design was low, long, and sleek, resembling a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family sedan. The test car's Glacial White Pearl paint was paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather over a black interior with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents, creating an upscale feel despite some hard plastic surfaces.

The K5's controls exuded quality, with a solid feel to the automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks. The switchgear and air vents operated smoothly, and the cabin lacked panel flex, contributing to a sense of care in construction. The K5's 16 cubic-foot trunk offered ample cargo space, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat. However, the lack of a handle on the inside of the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience. The K5's styling and quality made it an attractive option in its price range.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the highest-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, featuring a 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a single turbo, producing 362 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque, with an additional boost from a 48-volt electrical system. This system provided extra power and torque for brief periods, allowing the engine to shut off more often to save fuel and reduce emissions. The E450's performance was smooth and quiet, making it an excellent choice for a car of its size. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, produced 255 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque, but it was underwhelming for a luxury car.

The AMG E53 added a second turbo, technically a supercharger, powered by the 48-volt battery, producing 429 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S, with a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 engine, produced 603 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque, making it a high-performance variant with a lowered, widened, and stiffened chassis. The E-Class offered a range of performance options, from the efficient E450 to the powerful AMG E63 S, catering to different driving preferences.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The K5 GT offered impressive performance but was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 models came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. The 1.6-liter engine provided linear power delivery with little low-end lag, making it suitable for everyday driving.

The K5's Drive Mode Select allowed drivers to choose between Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings, while Active Sound Control added a simulated engine note for added personality. During testing, the 1.6-liter turbo engine performed well, offering enough power for merging onto freeways and navigating city traffic. The K5 EX returned 29.1 mpg during testing, close to the EPA's 31 mpg combined rating. However, the K5's suspension struggled with small road imperfections, and road noise was noticeable in the cabin. The K5's handling was decent but not as engaging as some competitors, making it a capable but not sporty option.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured a redesigned infotainment system with a touchscreen, making everyday tasks easier. The touchpads on the steering wheel were reshaped, and shortcut buttons for navigation, stereo, and other settings remained. The cabin was spacious for four adults, with ample headroom and legroom, supportive cushions, and knee cutouts on the seatbacks. However, the E53 lacked rear USB ports, a separate climate zone, soft-close doors, and heated rear seats, despite its $101,000 MSRP. The coupe's rear seats were usable, while the convertible's rear seats were less comfortable due to the folding soft top. The wagon offered a stowable rear-facing jump seat and more cargo space, with 35 cubic feet or 64 cubic feet with all seats folded. The sedan had 13 cubic feet of trunk space, and the two-door models had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The E450 All-Terrain wagon added ground clearance and plastic body cladding for a more rugged look.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof added natural light to the interior. The K5's low-slung design made entry and exit more challenging, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had plenty of room, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be a liability if the front seats were reclined too much. The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin under the center armrest, a dedicated smartphone charging slot, a tray forward of the shifter, and integrated trays in the door panel armrests. The K5's 16 cubic-foot trunk offered ample cargo space, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat. However, the lack of a handle on the inside of the trunk lid was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system with a touchscreen interface, better-organized menus, and shortcut buttons for major functions. Gesture control, natural voice processing, and online searches operated like Siri or Alexa. The system included features like live feed overlays from the front camera, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. However, it did not support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless. Optional driving assists included lane-changing, curve-slowing, and limited self-driving capabilities. The instrument cluster offered customizable graphics, allowing drivers to choose between traditional analog gauges and modern digital displays.

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 and higher featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 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 voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto the preferred options for most users.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The E-Class featured innovations like Pre-Safe Sound, which played a "pink noise" during a crash to protect eardrums, and side bolsters that shifted occupants away from the doors in a side collision. Standard safety features included forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included 14 additional driver-assist systems.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems under the Kia Drive Wise collection. Standard features included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, 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, front and rear 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 overall rating from the NHTSA.