2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid

The 2022 Kia K5 was celebrated for its stylish and distinctive design. Kia offered this model in five trims: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. All these trims came equipped with a turbocharged engine, and the LXS and GT-Line trims had an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system available. The base prices for the K5 ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge for shipping the car from Kia’s West Point, Georgia, assembly plant to local dealerships.

Our test vehicle was a K5 EX with front-wheel drive (FWD), extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and a set of floor mats. The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) amounted to $33,945, including the destination. Given that the average transaction price for new vehicles in America was higher, a K5 similar to our test car was attractively priced.

The K5's design stood out on the road with its low, long, and sleek profile, suggesting a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. Kia's choice of Glacial White Pearl paint for the test car paired with an unusual Ash Blue synthetic leather over a black interior, accented with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents, yielded an upscale appearance. Even with the expected hard plastic surfaces decorating the lower half of the cabin, the overall feel was decidedly upscale.

Quality was evident in the K5's construction. The automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks had a secure, refined sense of motion that conveyed the car's solid build quality. The operation of the switchgear and air vents and the general lack of panel flex within the cabin contributed to a driving experience that felt bargain-priced but not bargain-sourced.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid presented a futuristic and expressive exterior design. The front end boasted a sneering face and muscular features, while the base model rode on 16-inch steel wheels. Upper trim levels offered 17-inch, 18-inch, and even 19-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the Camry Hybrid's dashboard had a sweeping curve from the top of the driver's side slashing across the center stack, forming a striking and intricate passenger's side of the center console. This layout provided a prominent infotainment touchscreen at the top and a center console housing the gear selector and dual cupholder.

The second row of the Camry Hybrid was notably roomy and comfortable, with a well-bolstered middle seat for added comfort. Toyota's commitment to high fit and finish was evident in the smooth, glossy paint and trim, and the quality material selection throughout the vehicle.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a variety of options for those seeking different levels of power and performance. The top-tier, high-performance variant, the Kia K5 GT, came with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that generated an impressive 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine sent power to the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, making the K5 GT quite a thrill to drive.

However, the GT was also the priciest and least fuel-efficient version of the K5, without an all-wheel-drive option. For more budget-conscious buyers or those needing extra traction in winter, the K5's standard turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine provided 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque through a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite the seemingly modest figures, the availability of torque between 1,500 rpm and 4,500 rpm, along with maximum horsepower at 5,500 rpm, resulted in surprising linear power delivery with minimal low-end lag.

During our testing, the K5 EX's 1.6-liter turbo engine demonstrated adequate spunk, capable of producing enough twist to break the front wheels loose when accelerating from a stop or powering through curves. Merging onto freeways posed no issue, though passing power was somewhat lacking. The car achieved an average of 29.1 mpg on our testing route, slightly below the EPA’s 31 mpg combined estimate.

Handling was a mixed bag. While the K5's road noise was intrusive, especially on rougher surfaces, wind noise at highway speeds was virtually non-existent, thanks to its aerodynamic design with a 0.27 coefficient of drag. The car handled uneven pavement poorly, with the suspension struggling to absorb smaller anomalies. Although the K5 was decent on twisty roads, it did not offer the light, lively handling of competitors like the Honda Accord, and the brakes showed some wear after spirited driving.

The 2022 Camry Hybrid, by comparison, focused more on efficiency and daily drivability. Its hybrid system consisted of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with two electric motors, delivering a total system output of 208 horsepower. This setup sent power to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Camry Hybrid excelled in fuel economy, with the entry-level LE model achieving an EPA-rated 51 mpg city, 53 mpg highway, and 52 mpg combined. Other trim levels like the SE and XSE achieved slightly lower figures but still impressive at 44 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, and 46 mpg combined.

Drive mode selection in the Camry Hybrid included EV, Eco, Normal, and Sport modes, though keeping the car in EV-only mode proved challenging. Handling benefitted from the lower center of gravity provided by the lithium-ion battery pack, making the Camry Hybrid feel sporty, especially when compared to taller crossovers and SUVs. Some occasional droning from the drivetrain and a trade-off in responsiveness for fuel efficiency were minor complaints, but overall, the Camry Hybrid delivered a balanced and pleasant driving experience.

When it came to interior comfort and practicality, both the 2022 Kia K5 and the Toyota Camry Hybrid had their strengths. The Kia K5 excelled in comfort, with all trims offering dual-zone automatic climate control. Our test vehicle featured 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof provided an abundance of natural light, and the power sunroof shade operated smoothly.

However, entering and exiting the low-slung K5 was somewhat challenging compared to higher-riding SUVs, a trade-off for its sleek design. The front seats were comfortable, and Kia’s SynTex synthetic leather was a convincing alternative to real leather. Rear passengers enjoyed ample head, leg, and foot room, as long as the front seats were not reclined too far, which could make the hard plastic front seatback panels uncomfortable.

The K5’s controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility, and it featured a 16-cubic-foot trunk with a 60/40-split folding back seat for expanded cargo space. The trunk, however, lacked an inside handle to aid in closing. Interior storage was generous, with a roomy bin under the center armrest, a dedicated smartphone charging slot, and artfully integrated trays in the door panel armrests.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid, known for its practical and user-friendly design, provided a comfortable seating position suitable for most drivers. The driver and front passenger had ample storage options, including a spacious glove compartment and multiple nooks and crannies throughout the dash. The second-row seats were easy to access and offered a roomy, comfortable space, with generous bottle holders and map pockets.

Despite the placement of the lithium-ion battery pack, the Camry Hybrid maintained 15.1 cubic feet of trunk space, comparable to the standard Camry. It featured a passthrough for long items and a fold-down second row for larger cargo. The Camry Hybrid also came with Toyota’s comprehensive warranty coverage, including a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid battery, making it a reliable and practical choice for many families.

The 2022 Kia K5 and Toyota Camry Hybrid both offered advanced technology features, but they emphasized different strengths. The Kia K5 provided two infotainment systems. The base models featured an 8-inch touchscreen with large volume and tuning knobs and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Starting with the GT-Line trim, the K5 included a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, though it lost its tuning knob and required a cable for smartphone connectivity.

Our test car’s EX Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and an Active Sound Design feature, plus a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system for added convenience. The K5’s graphics leaned heavily on purple hues, which may not appeal to all drivers, and voice recognition technology left much to be desired. Despite this, the K5’s infotainment system was functional, supporting satellite radio, Kia Connect services (with a free one-year trial), and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The Toyota Camry Hybrid, on the other hand, was equipped with Toyota’s latest technology features, including a meticulously tuned JBL audio system available on XLE and XSE models. This system offered nine speakers, including a subwoofer, and sophisticated algorithms for extracting high-quality audio from compressed digital sources. Embedded navigation was optional on XLE and XSE models, while Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and a Wi-Fi hotspot were standard across all trims. The LE, SE, and SE Nightshade trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen, while the XLE and XSE had a larger 9-inch unit. The Camry Hybrid also featured advanced options such as a 10-inch head-up display, bird’s-eye view camera, and intelligent clearance sonar with rear cross-traffic braking, elevating it close to Lexus levels of tech sophistication.

Regarding safety, both the 2022 Kia K5 and the Toyota Camry Hybrid integrated comprehensive systems, making driver and passenger security a priority.

The 2022 Kia K5 featured Kia Drive Wise, an impressive suite of driver assistance systems. Our test model included forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. In addition, the K5 offered automatic high beams, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and a Safe Exit Assist system. The EX Premium package further enhanced safety with cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist with lane-centering assist, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, and a surround-view monitoring system.

We found the K5’s collision-avoidance features mostly reliable, but the lane-keeping technology occasionally misread recent freeway construction pavement scars. Despite this, Highway Drive Assist proved to be one of the best systems available, performing well in various traffic conditions. These advanced safety features contributed to the K5 earning the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating and an overall five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Toyota Camry Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert with steering assist, Lane Tracing Assist, automatic high beams, and traffic-sign recognition. The Camry Hybrid also featured Toyota’s Star Safety System, encompassing stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist, and smart stop technology.

With 10 airbags as standard, the Camry Hybrid provided robust all-around protection, including front and rear side-curtain airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, and side airbags. Standard safety features extended to rear seat reminders, hill start assist, and a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert on higher trims. The Camry Hybrid earned a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA and was expected to maintain the highest IIHS Top Safety Pick+ rating, following the precedent set by the 2021 model.