2022 Kia K5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Passat

The exterior styling of the 2021 Volkswagen Passat remained largely unchanged from its 2020 facelift, which was the first major update in nearly a decade. Volkswagen retained the same basic body shell but altered every panel except the roof, giving the Passat a strong familial resemblance to the smaller Jetta sedan. This resulted in a more understated look compared to its more radically-styled rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Toyota Camry. The Passat's smooth, aerodynamic shape, with a drag coefficient of 0.28, aimed to enhance fuel efficiency, though the impact was minimal. Standard features included LED headlights and taillights, with wheel sizes ranging from 17 to 19 inches depending on the trim level. The R-Line trim added sportier exterior elements but lacked a vibrant color palette.

Inside, the Passat's design was clean and functional, with a focus on analog controls for ease of use. The dashboard was short and low, enhancing forward visibility, while a low beltline improved side visibility. However, the flat-bottomed steering wheel seemed out of place in such an un-sporty car. The interior materials were mostly plastic, with cloth upholstery on S models and V-Tex leatherette on SE and R-Line trims. Despite the plain design, the fit and finish were excellent, aligning with the Passat's positioning as a value option.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a range of trims, all featuring a turbocharged engine, with prices starting from $23,790 to $31,190. Our test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, and the EX Premium package, had an MSRP of $33,945. The K5's styling was low, long, and sleek, resembling a luxury sports sedan more than a practical family car. The test car's Glacial White Pearl paint was paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim, creating an upscale feel despite some hard plastic surfaces.

The K5 exuded quality, with solid-feeling controls and a refined sense of motion in components like the transmission shifter and door release handles. The car's design and construction conveyed a sense of care and attention to detail, making it feel like a bargain-priced vehicle without compromising on quality.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat came with a single powertrain option: a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. This engine produced 174 horsepower and 206 pound-feet of torque. While the torque output was impressive, the horsepower was below average compared to rivals. Power delivery felt uneven, especially during highway overtakes, but switching to Sport mode or manually selecting gears improved the response. The Passat's driving experience was unremarkable, lacking the sportiness or comfort found in competitors like the Honda Accord and Mazda 6. Ride quality and cabin noise levels were good but not exceptional.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a more dynamic performance, especially with the GT trim, which featured a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard engine, a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, delivered 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Despite modest figures, the engine provided linear power delivery with minimal lag. Drive Mode Select allowed customization of the powertrain, and Active Sound Control added personality to the car. During testing, the K5 EX demonstrated adequate power for daily driving, though it lacked surplus passing power. The car returned 29.1 mpg in combined driving, slightly below the EPA's estimate of 31 mpg.

The K5's ride quality was affected by road noise and minor pavement imperfections, but wind noise was minimal thanks to its 0.27 drag coefficient. Visibility was excellent, except for the high rear deck. The EX Premium package added useful features like a surround-view camera system, enhancing the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat boasted 39.1 inches of rear legroom, slightly less than the Honda Accord and Subaru Legacy. However, this came at the expense of front legroom, which was below average for the segment. The front seats lacked thigh support, and the rear seats felt flat and hard. The Passat offered 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space, more than the Toyota Camry and Subaru Legacy but less than the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata. In-cabin storage was limited, with improperly shaped door bottle holders and a small smartphone cubby. The layout of controls was a strong point, with big buttons and knobs within easy reach and an easy-to-read instrument cluster.

The 2022 Kia K5 provided 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 sunroof added natural light to the interior. While getting in and out of the low-slung K5 was challenging, the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had ample 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 center bin, smartphone charging slot, and hidden door panel trays. The K5's 16 cubic-foot trunk offered plenty of cargo space, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split back seat. However, the lack of a trunk lid handle was a minor inconvenience.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat featured the MIB2 infotainment system with a 6.3-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The R-Line trim added HD Radio, built-in navigation, and an eight-speaker Fender premium audio system. Keyless entry was standard on SE and R-Line trims. A single USB-A port handled connectivity, with two rear charge-only USB-A ports on SE models. The touchscreen was small but included pinch-to-zoom capability, and dashboard knobs and steering-wheel controls made it easy to use. The Passat lacked advanced tech features like the Digital Cockpit instrument cluster and MIB3 infotainment system available in other VW models.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The base system, standard on LX and LXS trims, included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for smartphone connectivity. The larger screen added satellite radio, Kia Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, 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 graphics were purple, and voice recognition was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2021 Volkswagen Passat received top "good" scores in all IIHS crash tests, but its standard headlights earned a "marginal" rating. NHTSA crash-test ratings were not available. Standard safety features included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. The Passat also featured VW's Automatic Post-Collision Braking System and Intelligent Crash Response System.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety with the Kia Drive Wise collection, including 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, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view system, and power rear child locks. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.