2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Acura TLX

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, all featuring a turbocharged engine. The LXS and GT-Line offered an optional all-wheel-drive system. Base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge. The test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, had an MSRP of $33,945, including destination. The K5's design was striking, with a low, long, and sleek profile that suggested a luxury sports sedan. The Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim created an upscale interior. The car exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined feel.

The 2022 Acura TLX had a wide and long stance, making it appear larger than its class. It was more than three inches wider than the BMW 3 Series, with a nearly three-inch wider track at the rear and almost two inches at the front. The TLX featured thin headlights, a five-sided grille, and large tailpipes, giving it a substantial look. The Type S added exclusive features like Tiger Eye Pearl paint and 20-inch Y-spoke gray wheels inspired by the Acura NSX. The interior was snug, with impressive detailing, especially in the lower trims. The upper trims with the Advance package had a Scandinavian airport lounge vibe with thin LED strips and soft, finely grained surfaces. The Type S had faux-suede inserts, red stitching, and real metal shift paddles, offering a daring design not found in other luxury brands.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, it was the most expensive and least efficient version, lacking all-wheel drive. The standard K5 had a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, offering linear power delivery and little low-end lag. The Drive Mode Select allowed calibration of the powertrain, and the Active Sound Control added personality to the car. The K5 EX returned 29.1 mpg during testing, slightly below the EPA's 31 mpg estimate. The car allowed too much road noise and had a suspension that struggled with small road anomalies. The K5 EX was reasonably capable but lacked the driving pleasure of competitors like the Honda Accord.

The 2022 Acura TLX had a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The Super Handling-All Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system, available for an extra $2000, improved stability and handling precision. The Type S featured a 3.0-liter turbo V6 with 355 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, excelling on the track with its double-wishbone front suspension and adaptive dampers. The TLX's engine had broad torque and minimal turbo lag, with the Sport+ driving mode enhancing the driving experience. The Type S had decent steering feel and strong Brembo front brakes but a subdued exhaust note. The regular TLX was more softly sprung and didn't feel like a sport sedan. The Type S maintained comfort without sacrificing performance, though the summer P Zero tires emitted extra noise on the highway. Fuel economy for the Type S was 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined.

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 low-slung design made entry and exit harder, but the front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had ample room, though the hard plastic front seatback panels could be a liability. The K5 had a 16 cubic-foot trunk, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin under the center armrest, a smartphone charging slot, and hidden trays in the door panel armrests. The Smart Trunk feature automatically released the trunk lid when the key fob was nearby.

The 2022 Acura TLX, despite its large exterior, was tight for four inside. The back seat had decent headroom but limited legroom. The front seats were comfortable, with the Type S offering a thigh extension and adjustable side bolsters. The driving position was low, and controls were well-marked. The touchpad interface for the infotainment system required acclimation, as it was not a traditional touchscreen. The climate control was straightforward, and the trunk space was 13.5 cubic feet, less than a Honda Civic. The TLX's design prioritized the double-wishbone suspension, which took up more space than a conventional setup.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The standard system for LX and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for smartphone integration. The larger system included satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system, and Sounds of Nature ambient noise tracks. The Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system reminded drivers when cars ahead started moving. The voice recognition technology was subpar, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2022 Acura TLX had a simple and quick infotainment interface, though the typefaces were small and hard to read. The head-up display, available only with the Advance Package, allowed interaction with various functions from the steering wheel. The Advance Package also included 360-degree cameras, heated rear seats, and a heated steering wheel. The ELS Studio audio system with 17 speakers was standard on the Type S. Voice recognition, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and 12-way heated front seats were standard. The Technology Package linked climate control to navigation and included "Jewel Eye" LED headlights and a full suite of driver assistance features called AcuraWatch.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in driver assistance systems, with 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, 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 the highest safety rating from the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Acura TLX was rated a Top Safety Pick+ by the IIHS, scoring top ratings in all crash tests, headlight visibility, and forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. The NHTSA gave the TLX a five-star overall score, with four stars in the frontal passenger-side test. Standard safety features included knee airbags, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, auto high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors were included in the Technology Package and higher trims.