2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI, a continuation of a legacy that began with the 1983 Volkswagen Rabbit GTI, was a quintessential hot hatch. It shared its basic structure with the regular Golf but featured subtle enhancements that elevated it to a performance category. Red GTI badges, a red horizontal strip across the grille, and painted brake calipers were some of the visual cues that set it apart. The GTI also had a lowered stance, stainless-steel exhaust tips, and a sporty interior with red ambient lighting, a race-inspired steering wheel, and heated front sport seats. The overall quality of the GTI was evident in its first-rate paintwork and high-quality interior materials.

The 2022 Kia K5, available in multiple trims, offered a sleek and luxurious appearance that belied its practical family sedan roots. Our test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, 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-feeling controls and a refined sense of motion in its components. The car's low, long, and sleek styling made it stand out on the road, and its interior was both upscale and functional, despite some hard plastic surfaces.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI was all about performance, featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Our test model came with a DSG seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though a six-speed manual was also available. The GTI's handling was a major attraction, thanks to its four-wheel independent suspension, variable-ratio steering, and Golf R front brakes. However, the performance-oriented setup resulted in a rough ride on ordinary roads. The GTI's fuel economy was respectable, with EPA ratings of 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway/26 mpg combined for the manual transmission and 24 mpg city/32 mpg highway/27 mpg combined for the dual-clutch automatic.

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. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard engine was a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, with power delivery that was surprisingly linear. The K5 EX, our test model, returned 29.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's combined rating of 31 mpg. The K5's ride quality was generally good, though road noise and minor pavement anomalies could affect comfort.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI excelled in form and function, thanks to its hatchback design. With a 103.6-inch wheelbase and compact dimensions, the GTI was incredibly useful for carrying passengers and cargo. It offered 17.4 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats, expandable to 24.8 cubic feet with the seats folded flat. The GTI's tight turning circle of 35.8 feet made it easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Inside, the GTI featured clever storage options, including large front door pockets and well-sized cupholders, though the mechanical handbrake interfered slightly with access to the cupholders.

The 2022 Kia K5 provided a comfortable and well-equipped interior. All trim levels included dual-zone automatic climate control, and our test vehicle featured 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 cabin. While getting in and out of the low-slung K5 could be challenging, the seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. The K5 offered generous storage space, including a roomy bin under the center armrest and a 16 cubic-foot trunk, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI featured the VW MIB touchscreen infotainment system, with S models using a 6.5-inch screen and SE and Autobahn models getting an 8-inch screen with navigation. The system supported Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and MirrorLink, with Bluetooth hands-free and streaming audio standard. Volkswagen Car-Net offered additional connectivity options, including Remote Access and Hotspot portals. Standard smart technology included LED daytime running lights, fog lights, and taillights, with adaptive front lighting and dynamic cornering lights available on higher trims.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The base system, standard on LX and LXS trims, 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 but required a cable for smartphone integration. The K5 also offered satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, and a wireless smartphone charger. The Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. However, the K5's voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto a better option for most users.

The 2021 Volkswagen Golf GTI received a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" scores from the IIHS, except for an "Acceptable" rating in the small overlap front passenger side test and a "Poor" rating for the base Halogen headlights. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Autobahn trim added adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and park assist.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. The Kia Drive Wise collection included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view monitoring system. Highway Drive Assist was particularly noteworthy for its smooth and accurate performance.