2022 Kia K5 vs 2023 Toyota Crown

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a variety of trim levels, including LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, each powered by a turbocharged engine. The LXS and GT-Line models had the optional All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system. Prices for the K5 ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge from Kia’s West Point, Georgia, plant. The test vehicle, a K5 EX with Front-Wheel Drive (FWD), featured additional cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, bringing the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) to $33,945. This pricing made the K5 an attractive option considering the higher average transaction price for new vehicles in America.

The Kia K5 stood out with its long, low, and sleek design, reminiscent of a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. Continuing the design legacy of the Optima, the K5 was distinct on the road. The test car had Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and a black interior accented with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metal highlights, giving it an upscale feel despite some hard plastic surfaces. The quality sensation extended to the controls, such as a smooth-shifting automatic transmission shifter, substantial door release handles, and refined steering wheel stalks, all contributing to a solid and well-built impression.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Crown positioned itself as a full-size sedan with seating for five, somewhat replacing the Avalon but with a ride height elevated by four inches. This increase in elevation made it particularly distinctive, resembling the old Honda Accord Crosstour. The Crown’s front boasted a massive grille, more aesthetic than functional, complemented by narrow air inlets and angular headlights for a sporty, aggressive look. Large wheels and a black trim piece along the doors helped break the expanse of sheet metal, preventing an awkward appearance.

The Crown’s rear was rounded, with a bold taillight strip running across a black trim element, though the stepped transition from fender to tail seemed odd. The top Platinum trim allowed for a two-tone color option, which may not appeal to everyone but reflected Toyota's adventurous design choices. Inside, the Crown was modern, with a digital instrument panel and a large horizontal touchscreen. Despite some dated elements like LED temperature displays, the mix of hard plastic and cushioned touchpoints gave it an upscale, if not luxurious, feel.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT focused on delivering maximum power and performance. It featured 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 driving the front wheels. This configuration brought joy to driving but was less efficient and costlier, with no AWD option. The more common K5s, including the EX model, came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque through a conventional eight-speed automatic. These figures may not seem impressive, but the engine offered a linear power delivery and minimal lag due to the early availability of torque.

With Drive Mode Select, drivers adjusted the powertrain for Normal, Sport, Smart, or Custom settings. During testing in Southern California, the 1.6-liter turbo engine felt well-suited for daily driving, though it lacked abundant passing power. The Kia K5 EX delivered an average of 29.1 mpg compared to its EPA rating of 31 mpg. Though comfortable, road noise and minor road imperfections negatively impacted the ride quality, especially with the 18-inch wheels. Visibility was generally good except to the back, where the high rear deck obstructed the view.

The 2023 Toyota Crown was available with two hybrid powertrains: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine paired with a hybrid system delivering 236 horsepower for the XLE and Limited trims, and the Hybrid Max for the Platinum trim, which combined a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and a powerful rear electric motor to produce 340 horsepower. The base hybrid utilized a continuously variable transmission (CVT), while the Hybrid Max came with a traditional six-speed automatic. The base hybrid featured on-demand AWD, while the Hybrid Max provided full-time AWD.

Toyota estimated the base hybrid’s 0-60 mph time at 7.6 seconds and the Hybrid Max at 5.7 seconds. Despite the high power outputs, the hybrid systems did not feel particularly quick due to the CVT’s high-revving nature and the engine noise it produced. The Crown's ride quality prioritized comfort over sporty handling. The Platinum trim added an adaptive suspension with a Sport+ drive mode, although it didn't significantly change the driving experience. The cabin remained quiet except for some engine noise under hard acceleration, maintaining a pleasant driving environment.

In the 2022 Kia K5, comfort was easily attainable. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control, and the EX test vehicle included a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and a front passenger seat with heating and ventilation. Rear passengers had air conditioning vents, and the panoramic sunroof added to the airy feel of the cabin. Although the K5’s low-slung design made entry and exit difficult, the interior materials and seating comfort were mostly praised. Storage included a spacious center bin, dedicated smartphone slot, and integrated door panel trays.

The K5’s trunk offered 16 cubic feet of space, expandable via the 60/40 split-folding back seat. However, it lacked an internal handle for closing the trunk, which was a minor drawback.

The 2023 Toyota Crown’s interior featured a mix of materials depending on the trim level. Base models came with fabric upholstery and SofTex faux leather, while higher trims had full leather seats. The front seats were designed for comfort but might feel firm over long periods. Visibility for the driver was generally good, though the rear view was narrow. The higher ride height provided a slightly improved road view without reaching SUV levels.

Interior storage spaces in the Crown included large cupholders, door pockets, and a dual-hinged center console armrest bin, though the lid was somewhat flimsy when open. The vertical phone tray with a wireless charging pad was a notable feature, fitting larger phones securely. Rear-seat space was adequate for adults, albeit limited by the tapering roofline, with a panoramic sunroof available on higher trims enhancing the sense of space.

Unlike the fastback appearance, the Crown had a traditional trunk with 15.2 cubic feet of capacity, which was small for a large sedan. While less spacious than competitors like the Kia Stinger and Volkswagen Arteon, the trunk was practical with a wide opening and remote seatback releases for added versatility.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The base 8-inch system found in LX and LXS trims had wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which were user-friendly with large knobs for volume and tuning. Higher trims featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen that required a cable for smartphone connectivity, losing out on wireless convenience. Additional features included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and ambient noise tracks. The Premium package added a Bose 12-speaker audio system and Active Sound Design for enhanced audio experiences. However, the voice recognition system was unreliable, making it preferable to rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

The 2023 Toyota Crown came standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen across all trims, providing sharp graphics and responsive interactions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration paired seamlessly with the wireless charging pad. The base audio system was adequate, with the option to upgrade to an 11-speaker JBL premium system for better sound quality. Over-the-air software updates kept the system current, and the "Hey Toyota" voice-assistant controlled various functions adequately. Other technological conveniences included a Wi-Fi hotspot, streaming services, and a digital key feature in higher trims that allowed smartphone-based vehicle access.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety features. Standard equipment across the range included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and more. The EX Premium package added advanced systems like cyclist detection and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. These features contributed to the K5’s highest safety ratings from the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star rating from the NHTSA.

The 2023 Toyota Crown also came well-equipped with safety technologies. Standard features included collision warnings with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, and blind-spot monitoring. The Platinum trim added a semi-automated parallel parking system. While the adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist were well-tuned, new driver aids like Proactive Driving Assist could be intrusive and were not entirely deactivatable in pre-production models. Crash test results from the NHTSA and IIHS were not yet available at the time.