2021 Subaru WRX vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a youthful and somewhat rebellious aesthetic, often compared to a teenager with piercings and tattoos. While it appeared tamer than the racier WRX STI, the WRX still sported a wedge-like front end and a short trunk lid, giving it a speedy look even when stationary. Aerodynamic bodywork and a functional hood scoop added to its sporty appearance. Inside, the WRX's cockpit was function-first, featuring hard plastics that contributed to its less mature reputation compared to competitors like the VW GTI and Honda Civic Si. The WRX came in Base, Premium, and Limited trims, with the Limited offering leather upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, and advanced lighting features.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 was a strikingly stylish sedan that looked more like a luxury sports car than a practical family vehicle. The K5 EX test car featured Glacial White Pearl paint and an Ash Blue synthetic leather interior with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents, creating an upscale feel. The K5's controls exuded quality, with a solid feel to the transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks. The car's design and build quality conveyed a sense of care and attention to detail, making it feel like a bargain-priced vehicle without compromising on quality.

The 2021 Subaru WRX was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine, producing 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This engine layout allowed for a low center of gravity and efficient packaging with the AWD system. Buyers could choose between a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. Despite its power, the WRX required precise rev management to extract its full potential, making the CVT a surprising but effective choice for maintaining powerband accuracy. The manual transmission, however, felt vague and less satisfying compared to the WRX STI's more precise gearbox. The WRX also featured Vehicle Dynamics Control with Active Torque Vectoring, enhancing cornering precision, though its stiff ride was less comfortable than rivals like the Civic Si and GTI.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two engine options. The K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This setup provided impressive performance but was the most expensive and least efficient version. The standard engine was a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, delivering linear power with minimal lag. The K5 EX test car's 1.6-liter engine proved well-matched for daily driving, offering adequate power for merging and cornering. The K5 EX achieved 29.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The car's ride quality was affected by road noise and minor pavement imperfections, but it handled speed bumps and highway driving well.

The 2021 Subaru WRX had a conventional sedan layout with a trunk offering up to 12 cubic feet of cargo space. While this was more than the Civic Si coupe, it fell short of the Civic Si sedan and the VW GTI's cargo capacity. The WRX's interior showed its age, lacking modern conveniences like accommodating door bottle-holders. The driving position was comfortable with good visibility, and the rear seats could accommodate four adults comfortably, making it practical for a compact sedan.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in comfort and convenience. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control, and the test vehicle included power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof added natural light to the interior. While the low-slung design made entry and exit challenging, the seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was a convincing alternative to real leather. The K5 offered generous storage space, including a roomy center bin, smartphone charging slot, and hidden door panel trays. The trunk provided 16 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2021 Subaru WRX came standard with a 6.5-inch touchscreen running Subaru's Starlink infotainment system, with a 7-inch screen available on higher trims. Both screens supported Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, offering a sensible layout and easy-to-use controls despite dated graphics. The Limited trim's optional package included navigation and a Harman Kardon premium stereo, providing excellent sound quality. However, the WRX's tech felt outdated compared to newer models.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The base system featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims, starting with the GT-Line, had a 10.25-inch touchscreen that required a wired connection for smartphone integration. This system included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. The Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. The K5's voice recognition was subpar, but the infotainment system's graphics and features were generally well-received.

The 2021 Subaru WRX did not come standard with advanced safety features. The EyeSight system, including adaptive cruise control, emergency automatic braking, and lane-departure warning, was available on Premium and Limited trims with the CVT. The Limited trim also offered adaptive high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and reverse automatic braking. All trims included a tire-pressure monitoring system and traction control.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety features, bundled within the Kia Drive Wise collection. The test car included 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, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, 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 rating from the NHTSA.