2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Hyundai Elantra

The 2022 Kia K5 exuded an unmistakable aura of luxury sports sedan styling. With trim levels ranging from LX to GT, all models came equipped with a turbocharged engine, and some offered an additional all-wheel drive (AWD) system. The K5’s base prices spanned from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge. Our review focused on the K5 EX with front-wheel drive (FWD), extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) totaled $33,945, including the destination fee. This positioned the K5 as an attractively priced option compared to the average spending on new vehicles. The Kia K5’s exterior was designed with a low, long, and sleek form, giving it a luxury sports sedan look rather than that of a typical family car. The specific test vehicle showcased Glacial White Pearl paint, paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather over a black interior. This unusual combination created a decidedly upscale feel, despite some hard plastic surfaces. The attention to detail extended to the quality of the controls; the automatic transmission shifter, the door release handles, and the steering wheel stalks all had a secure, refined sense of motion, providing a sensation of solidity in its construction. On the other hand, Hyundai's Elantra was known for its more reserved, rental-car look; it didn’t stand out in a crowd until the 2021 redesign. The seventh-generation Elantra boasted a longer wheelbase, wider stance, and lower roofline, resulting in a dramatic four-door-coupe silhouette. Our test model, the 2022 Elantra N Line, came in Scarlet Red Pearl with a black interior. It featured sporty styling elements such as N Line design front and rear fascias, chrome twin-tip exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels. The interior had N Line sport seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a black headliner, and aluminum pedals. Compared to the mid-size Sonata, the Elantra offered a unique, low-slung four-door coupe look that impressed more than the Sonata’s styling. This redesign made the Elantra a noteworthy competitor in its class.

For those seeking maximum power, the 2022 Kia K5 GT was the pick, featuring a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This potent output was directed to the front wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, the GT was the most expensive and least fuel-efficient K5 variant, lacking the AWD option. For a balance of performance and efficiency, other trim levels included a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Using Drive Mode Select, drivers could personalize their experience with Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings. During testing in Southern California, this engine demonstrated sufficient power for daily tasks and merging onto freeways but struggled with high-speed passing maneuvers. The K5 EX achieved 29.1 mpg in mixed driving conditions, slightly below the EPA rating of 31 mpg combined. The Kia K5’s suspension preferred flat, smooth surfaces; however, road and wind noise were adequately managed except on rougher patches. The handling, while decent, lacked the engagement and finesse seen in competitors like the Honda Accord Sport. In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Elantra offered multiple powertrain options. The standard setup on SE, SEL, and Limited trims included a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Elantra Hybrid paired a 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with a 32-kilowatt electric motor, producing a total of 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, aided by a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT). Our test vehicle, the Elantra N Line, featured a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine delivering 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The DCT provided smooth shifts, although it was slightly clunky at low revs. The N Line also included Normal, Sport, and Smart drive modes, allowing drivers to tailor the experience to their liking. The sport-tuned suspension, steering, and multi-link rear suspension enhanced the Elantra N Line’s agility and handling. Despite the N Line’s engaging performance, the sport seats proved uncomfortable over long distances due to their low seating position and minimal cushioning. Nonetheless, the N Line's performance, suspension, and handling made it a compelling choice for driving enthusiasts.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered impressive comfort and features across its trim levels. Our test vehicle included dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic sunroof provided natural light, and Kia’s SynTex synthetic leather seats were almost indistinguishable from genuine leather. Rear passengers enjoyed generous headroom, legroom, and foot space, although the low-slung design made ingress and egress challenging. The K5’s cabin was thoughtfully designed with practical storage solutions, including spacious bins, a smartphone charging slot, and hidden door panel trays. Cargo capacity in the K5 was ample, with a 16-cubic-foot trunk and 60/40-split folding rear seats to extend the cargo area. However, the trunk lid lacked an interior handle for easier closure. The Smart Trunk feature, which automatically opened the lid when the key fob was detected nearby, was a convenient addition. The 2022 Hyundai Elantra also boasted a practical and family-friendly design. Its compact size made it easy to navigate tight spaces, while interior controls and instrumentation were clearly marked. Taller passengers found the sloped roofline a slight inconvenience, but overall, the Elantra offered excellent outward visibility and sufficient comfort. Our test drive included a 700-mile trip with three children in the back seat, all of whom were comfortably entertained and relatively complaint-free. The trunk provided 14.2 cubic feet of cargo space, although its narrow opening and trunk lid support arms occasionally posed a challenge. However, the Elantra’s moonroof had an odd droning noise while fully open, and the lack of rear USB ports and air vents caused some dissatisfaction among back-seat occupants. Despite these issues, the Elantra excelled as a small family car, offering ample storage and practical features.

The 2022 Kia K5 featured two infotainment systems. Lower trims included an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with intuitive stereo controls. Higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen but required wired connections for smartphone integration, which seemed like a backward step. The larger system offered satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and ambient nature sounds. The Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and features like Active Sound Design. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system was another thoughtful addition, providing reminders to drive when traffic ahead started moving. However, the voice recognition system struggled with most commands, rendering it nearly unusable. Hyundai equipped the 2022 Elantra with a high level of technology for its price range. The base SE included an 8-inch touchscreen with a rearview camera, HD Radio, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth, four speakers, and dual USB ports. The SEL, Hybrid Blue, and N Line trims added satellite radio and Blue Link connected services. Limited trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, Bose premium audio, a fully digital instrument cluster, dynamic voice recognition, and wireless device charging, though only wired connections were possible for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Hyundai Digital Key, available on higher trims, allowed keyless entry and start via an Android smartphone. The Apple CarPlay integration in the N Line worked seamlessly during testing, and while the six-speaker audio system was sufficient, it lacked the premium feel found in other Hyundai models equipped with Bose systems.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety, combining numerous standard and optional features within its Drive Wise suite. This included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and several other driver assistance systems. Additional features in the EX Premium package included cyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and more. The K5 achieved the highest safety ratings, earning a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Hyundai’s 2022 Elantra offered a similar value-driven approach to safety. Standard safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warning, lane-keeping assistance, and more. Higher trims added adaptive cruise control, rear automatic braking, and Highway Drive Assist. The Elantra also performed well in safety tests, earning a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top "Good" ratings from the IIHS, except for lower trims with halogen headlights, which received a "Marginal" rating.