2023 Honda Accord vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 positioned itself as a standout in the market, sporting a design refreshingly distinct from the mundane family sedan. The car came in various trim levels—LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT—all characterized by their turbocharged engines. Even the base models exuded a luxury appeal, showcased in the pricing that ranged from $23,790 to $31,190 before the destination charges. For this review, our test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive (FWD), premium paint, the EX Premium package, and a set of floor mats, came in at an MSRP of $33,945, including the destination charge, making it competitively priced given the features it offered.

Aesthetically, the K5 was a visual treat with its Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather against a matte-finished black interior accented by fake wood trim and polished metal. The interior felt upscale despite the presence of some hard plastic surfaces below waist level. The K5 carried a sense of quality, evident in the tactile feedback from the automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks, which demonstrated a refined sense of motion. Overall, the K5 went beyond just being a practical family sedan, presenting itself as a luxury sports sedan.

On the other hand, the 2023 Honda Accord adopted a more technical and conservative look compared to its predecessor (2018-2022), with most chrome elements ditched for a modern aesthetic. The base LX model started at $27,295 while the EX cost $29,060, with a $1,095 destination charge. Our tested Accord EX, equipped with an affordable option package adding blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, brought the total MSRP to $30,705, including destination charges.

The test car donned a Canyon River Blue paint, earning many compliments along the way. The EX variant also featured a pewter wheel finish, striking a middle ground between the flashy silver wheels on the LX and the rather characterless black wheels commonly found on other vehicles. Inside, the EX trim boasted durable cloth seats with contrast stitching and stylish metal mesh dashboard trim that seamlessly integrated air conditioning vents. Additionally, the digital instrumentation coupled with a touchscreen infotainment system showcased Honda’s attention to detail in switchgear, enhancing the overall refined feel.

For those interested in maximum power, the 2022 Kia K5 GT was the model to seek out, thanks to its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing a thrilling 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, delivered an exciting driving experience. However, this high performance came at the cost of efficiency and the absence of an AWD option. The more common K5 variants relied on a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine delivering 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Despite seeming modest, the engine’s powerband, available from 1,500 rpm to 5,500 rpm, ensured a linear and engaging power delivery with minimal low-end lag.

Featuring Drive Mode Select with settings such as Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom, the K5 EX allowed drivers to tailor their driving experience. The 2022 model also included Active Sound Control, piping in simulated engine sounds that could be turned off via the infotainment system menu. During our Southern California test, the 1.6-liter engine proved well-suited to the K5. While not necessarily drag-race ready, it offered sufficient power for merging onto freeways and tackling twists and turns, returning 29.1 mpg in combined driving (slightly below the EPA’s 31 mpg estimate).

That said, the K5’s ride could sometimes allow road noise and fail to absorb minor road imperfections, partly due to its 18-inch wheels. Maneuvering around local speed humps and uneven pavements presented no problem, and except for rear visibility issues due to a high rear deck, outward visibility was commendable.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda Accord EX equipped with a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine delivered a modest 192 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 192 pound-feet of torque between 1,700 rpm and 5,000 rpm. While it utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT), the programmed ratio changes aimed to mimic traditional automatic transmissions. The Accord powering the front wheels only, with no AWD option, made it a bit of a letdown for those requiring better traction.

EPA estimates pegged the Accord at 32 mpg in combined driving, yet our test car yielded 28.7 mpg due to triple-digit heat and continuous air conditioning use. Despite this, the Accord delivered commendable ride quality and handling prowess. Its dual-pinion, variable-ratio steering, and multi-link rear suspension managed weight distribution deftly, lending a nimble and good response. Structurally robust, the Accord subdued noise well but could scrape under speed humps.

In urban settings, the Accord EX felt nimble and responsive, offering excellent outward visibility thanks to strategic design choices like thin windshield pillars and large side mirrors. On winding roads, it offered confident handling and precise steering. The brakes held up surprisingly well under extreme testing conditions without the usual Honda diminishment, though the Michelin Energy tires did squeal and feel less grippy.

The 2022 Kia K5 prioritized comfort, offering dual-zone automatic climate control across all trims. Our test vehicle featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and front passenger seat with heating and ventilation, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. A panoramic glass sunroof added to the ambiance with natural light, and controls were logically laid out. Front seats were comfortable, albeit a challenge to get in and out of due to the car's low profile, and there was ample rear space unless the front seats were heavily reclined.

Storage was decent, with numerous compartments and a 16-cubic-foot trunk with expandable cargo space thanks to the 60/40-split folding rear seats. However, the trunk lacked an interior handle, and while the Smart Trunk feature was useful, it missed some conveniences present in other models.

In the 2023 Honda Accord, the EX trim featured practical amenities like a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated front seats, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat. Yet, it missed some conveniences like a height-adjustable front passenger seat and rear air conditioning vents. Interestingly, the Accord had a power sunroof, often requested by Honda customers.

While the driver’s seat could use more seat-track travel, the interior boasted a variety of storage options, and rear passengers enjoyed a high-mounted back seat for better leg support. The Accord also had a giant 16.7 cubic-foot trunk, slightly larger than the K5’s, with an easy-to-use single touch lid release and useful interior handle.

The 2022 Kia K5's infotainment offerings were bifurcated based on trim levels. Lower trims like LX and LXS received an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, incorporating handy knobs for volume and tuning. Starting from the GT-Line trim, the K5 featured a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen with satellite radio, Kia Connect services, Wi-Fi, navigation, and ambient noise tracks, but lost its tuning knob and required wired connections for smartphone integration. Our K5 EX test car included a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system, a wireless smartphone charger, and a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system.

The system graphics prominently featured purple tones, which might not appeal to all, and voice recognition was subpar, often missing commands, thus highlighting the need to rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

In comparison, the 2023 Honda Accord LX and EX came with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard 10.2-inch digital instrument cluster, and included Bluetooth connectivity, wired Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Text-messaging support, HondaLink connected services, and a pair of USB-C ports were standard. Although lacking SiriusXM satellite radio, we seamlessly streamed Pandora via Apple CarPlay.

The infotainment was refreshingly simple yet unimpressive, featuring a straightforward design with physical controls for essential functions, a welcome sight amidst increasingly touchscreen-dominated interfaces.

If the Kia K5’s voice recognition capabilities fell short, its driver assistance systems certainly made up for it. Our K5 test car included the Kia Drive Wise collection, featuring forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keeping and following assist. Additionally, it boasted advanced features like automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Assist. Our EX Premium package further added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, adaptive cruise control, and front/rear parking sensors, among others.

The 2022 K5 earned top safety accolades, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

Meanwhile, every 2023 Accord came with Honda Sensing, a robust suite of ADAS including adaptive cruise control with traffic-jam assist, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping and centering assist, and a reversing camera with multiple views. Our EX test car included optional blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert for an added $550.

While Honda Sensing performed well overall, it had some quirks with lane centering and off-ramp recognition, yet it communicated system statuses effectively. The Accord also secured a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS for the 2023 calendar year.