2022 Honda Civic vs 2022 Kia K5

In 2022, Honda offered the Civic sedan in several familiar trim levels: LX, Sport, EX, and Touring. Prices ranged from $21,700 for the Civic LX to $28,300 for the Civic Touring, excluding the $995 destination charge. Honda also reintroduced a five-door Civic hatchback but bid farewell to the two-door coupe. Our primary evaluation vehicle was a Civic Touring in Morning Mist Blue, priced at $29,690 with destination charges and additional paint cost. We also explored a Civic Sport, with Platinum White Pearl paint and the new Honda Performance Development appearance package, estimated to cost just under $25,880.

The 2022 Civic showed a departure from its predecessor's flashy design, instead adopting a conservative appearance akin to the larger Accord sedan. This 11th-generation model's understated look won over those critical of the prior styling but left fans of the old design wanting more. Honda aimed for simplicity in the interior, resulting in a minimalistic layout with metal honeycomb mesh spanning the dashboard to hide air vents elegantly. The improved interior materials amplified a sense of maturity, especially in the Touring trim.

Kia presented the 2022 K5 in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. Each one boasted a turbocharged engine, and LXS and GT-Line offered optional AWD. Base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, not including the destination charge from Kia’s West Point, Georgia, assembly plant.

Our test vehicle was a K5 EX with extra-cost paint, the EX Premium package, and floor mats, totaling $33,945 including destination charges. Even though it featured ample modern amenities, it hit a competitive price point considering average new car expenses in America.

The K5’s design stood out on the road with its sleek, luxurious sports sedan appearance, continuing Kia's tradition of aesthetic leadership. Our test car's Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish black interior showcased an upscale feel. The car's thoughtful design exuded quality, with robust controls enhancing a sense of solid construction.

For the 2022 Civic, Honda initially offered two engines, both improved versions of what was found in the previous generation. The base engine for the LX and Sport trims was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder delivering 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, providing adequate performance. However, the 1.5-liter turbocharged engine for the EX and Touring trim levels, producing 180 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque, was the standout option. This engine offered satisfying performance and efficiency, spanning a broad rev range from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm.

Both engines were mated to continuously variable transmission (CVT), with different CVTs for each engine. Honda’s new Step Shift programming aimed to mimic a traditional automatic transmission, enhancing the driving experience. Additionally, the Sport and Touring trims included a Sport transmission mode, bolstering quick response and enjoyable handling. The 2022 Civic, with improved structural rigidity and suspension tuning, provided fun ride dynamics without compromising on ride quality. However, on a 95-mile drive, the Civic Touring returned 30.4 mpg, slightly below the EPA’s 34 mpg estimate.

The Kia K5 offered a powerful lineup led by the range-topping GT trim, featuring 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. Nonetheless, it's the most expensive and fuel-consuming variant. Most buyers opted for the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine available on other trims, producing 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. This standard turbo-four offered linear power delivery and minimal lag, with torque available from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm.

The K5 had Drive Mode Select with Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings, and our test K5 EX featured Active Sound Control for a simulated engine note. It provided ample power for everyday driving, though passing power was limited. The K5 EX returned 29.1 mpg on a varied driving route, slightly below the 31 mpg claimed by the EPA.

The K5’s driving experience included some road noise and a stiff suspension on rough surfaces, but wind noise was minimal. Visibility was mostly good except for the rear view, and advanced safety features like the surround-view camera system improved parking ease.

The 2022 Civic's redesigned front seats provided excellent support, especially in the leather-lined Touring trim, where the power driver’s seat helped find the perfect position. However, the front passenger seat lacked a height adjuster. Entry and exit could be challenging due to the Civic’s low stance, though rear seat legroom aided accessibility. The rear seats had good thigh support, albeit with a backrest angle that might not suit all passengers. Rear USB ports were standard, but climate control for the backseat was not provided, and the Touring trim missed out on heated rear cushions.

Honda’s new center console design sacrificed some storage flexibility compared to prior models but retained generous trunk space of 14.8 cubic feet, shrinking slightly to 14.4 cubic feet in the Touring due to the sound system. The trunk allowed for full-size suitcases and had a split-folding backseat for added utility.

Conversely, the 2022 Kia K5 delivered easy comfort across its trims. Our test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and passenger seat with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof added natural light, and the power shade operated smoothly. Entry and exit were typically difficult for low-slung sedans like the K5.

The K5’s SynTex synthetic leather seats were comfortable, with ample room for rear passengers provided the front seats were not overly reclined. Controls were logically placed, blending functionality with style, while storage solutions included a roomy center bin, a dedicated smartphone slot, and hidden door panel trays.

The K5 boasted a larger trunk than the Civic, with 16 cubic feet of cargo space that could be expanded by folding the rear seats. However, it lacked an internal handle for trunk closing, a convenience the Civic provided.

Honda equipped every 2022 Civic with digital instrumentation, with the Touring’s display growing to ten inches, featuring greater customization and a Vehicle Activity display. This feature resolved issues of drivers unknowingly driving without their lights on by showing when headlights and brake lights were active. Standard infotainment included a 7-inch touchscreen with volume and tuning knobs, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, with the screen recessed for ease of use.

Higher trims doubled the speaker count but lacked impressive sound quality until the Touring, which featured a 12-speaker Bose premium system. The Touring trim also boasted a 9-inch touchscreen with a different control layout and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, enhancing user experience.

The Kia K5 offered two infotainment setups, starting with an 8-inch touchscreen on LX and LXS trims featuring wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims included a larger 10.25-inch display but lost the tuning knob and required a cable for smartphone integration. Advanced features included satellite radio, a navigation system, and unique Sounds of Nature ambient tracks.

A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, with the Premium package adding a 12-speaker Bose system. However, the K5’s voice recognition faltered, proving ineffective compared to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2022 Civic saw notable improvements with the updated Honda Sensing suite, adding features such as Traffic Jam Assist, improved adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist using a new wide-view front camera and sensors. The Civic also replaced its LaneWatch system with a more effective blind-spot warning system on EX and Touring trims. However, blind-spot warning was absent in the popular LX and Sport trims.

The Civic’s new architecture promised better collision protection, with updated airbag designs and the addition of rear side-impact airbags. Standard rear-seat reminders were also included.

In the K5, Kia’s Drive Wise collection offered comprehensive safety features, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping and following assist. Our K5 also had automatic high beams, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Assist.

The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, Junction Turning Assist, Highway Driving Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view monitoring system. The K5 achieved top safety ratings, with a IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star NHTSA rating.