2024 Kia K5 vs 2023 BMW 7 Series

The 2023 BMW 7 Series marked a significant shift in design for the luxury sedan, introducing a bold new front-end styling with an oversized beveled grille and split lighting elements. The thin LED accent lights gave the car a focused squint, while the actual headlights were recessed to improve aerodynamics. Although initially polarizing, the design grew on observers over time. The 7 Series offered two distinct style themes: the M Sport with chrome accents and the M Sport Professional with a more aggressive blacked-out look. The profile maintained the classic 7 Series silhouette, and the interior was modern and minimalistic, featuring high-quality materials and a futuristic curved glass housing for the instrument panel and infotainment system. The rear seats, especially with the optional Rear Executive Lounge Seating package, provided a premium luxury experience.

The 2024 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, impressed with its striking Passion Red Tint Coat and sporty design. Despite being on the market since 2021, the K5 still turned heads and drew curiosity from onlookers. The GT-Line sat between the base LXS and the upscale EX trims, offering a budget-friendly sports sedan option. The interior, while not as luxurious as the BMW, featured a well-designed cabin with textured metallic trim and a robust transmission shifter. The K5's pricing was considered a bargain, though the cabin did have some inexpensive-looking plastic. Overall, the K5 GT-Line delivered a stylish and comfortable ride, with a focus on value and practicality.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered two initial powertrains. The base 740i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a 48-volt mild hybrid system, producing 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds. The 760i xDrive, with its 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8, delivered 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 4.1 seconds. The V8-powered 760i xDrive impressed with its quick and fluid acceleration, while the handling was sportier than its rivals, offering a slightly stiffer ride. The 7 Series also featured a Sport mode for sharper cornering and more responsive steering.

The 2024 Kia K5 came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in most versions, producing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The K5 GT model offered a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The GT-Line, while not as powerful as the GT, provided a sporty look and better fuel efficiency, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg combined for FWD models. However, real-world fuel economy fell short of expectations. The K5 GT-Line's suspension was expertly tuned for a comfortable ride and impressive control, though the brakes were not up to the task for spirited driving. The GT-Line's dynamics were predictable and trustworthy, making it a delight to drive.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series offered power-operated doors, though they could be frustrating to use. The interior featured generously padded front seats with ample power adjustments, heating, and ventilation. The rear seats were spacious, with the lounge seating option providing a reclining passenger-side seat with massage functions. The 31.3-inch rear entertainment screen added a wow factor, though its central placement could cause neck strain. The trunk offered 13.7 cubic feet of cargo space, with a wide and deep design for easy loading. Interior storage was adequate, with a wireless charging pad, cupholders, and small door pockets.

The 2024 Kia K5 provided comfort and utility, with SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts in the GT-Line trim. The front seats were comfortable for long drives, and the back seat offered excellent support and generous legroom. The panoramic sunroof was a treat, though it reduced headroom for taller passengers. The K5 featured dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, and a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel. Storage areas were generous, though some had plastic linings that could cause scraping noises. The K5's cargo space measured 16 cubic feet, with a remote keyless entry fob for easy trunk access.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series featured iDrive 8, the latest version of BMW's infotainment system, which could be operated via touchscreen, central dial, or voice commands. While basic functions were easy to use, the system became complicated with deeper menu navigation. Voice controls helped mitigate this, though they interrupted music or podcasts. The standard 18-speaker Bowers & Wilkins Surround Sound System provided excellent audio quality. The optional theater screen had inconsistent touchscreen inputs, making it less intuitive.

The 2024 Kia K5 LXS came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, while other trims had a 10.25-inch display. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity in the LXS and wired in higher trims. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services. The K5 also offered a wireless phone charging pad and an optional 12-speaker Bose audio system. The standard voice recognition technology was hit or miss, so using Apple CarPlay or Android Auto was recommended.

The 2023 BMW 7 Series had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. Standard safety features included frontal collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, and more. The optional Driving Assistance Professional package added a hands-free automated driving system for highways. The adaptive cruise control was smooth, and the highway driving assistant reduced driver fatigue on long trips.

The 2024 Kia K5 featured Kia Drive Wise, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and more. Upgrades included cyclist detection, automatic intersection braking, and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability. The Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system was praised for its smooth and accurate performance. The K5 received high marks from NHTSA but low scores in updated IIHS tests for moderate overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.