2024 Kia K5 vs 2023 Dodge Charger

The 2023 Dodge Charger retained much of its design from its 2015 update, featuring a sleek nose and sharp LED taillights. Despite its age, the Charger maintained a distinct and modern appearance compared to competitors like the Accord, Altima, and Camry. The R/T Scatpack Swinger model, with its widebody kit, showcased flared fenders, 20-inch wheels, and a large hood scoop, giving it a bold and aggressive stance. The interior, however, felt dated with its small touchscreen and plasticky knobs, though it offered a basic yet adequate space for driving excitement.

The 2024 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, impressed with its stylish design and vibrant Passion Red Tint Coat. Although the K5 had been around since 2021, it still turned heads and drew admiration. The GT-Line trim offered a sporty look, but the real performance came with the K5 GT model. The interior featured SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts, with a 10-way power driver’s seat providing comfort. The K5's cabin was well-designed, though some materials felt inexpensive. The panoramic sunroof added a touch of luxury, and the back seat offered excellent support and legroom.

The 2023 Dodge Charger offered a range of engines, starting with a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 producing 292 to 300 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While the V6 was underwhelming, the Charger truly shined with its Hemi V8 options. The R/T model boasted a 5.7-liter V8 with 370 hp, while the Scatpack's 6.4-liter V8 delivered 485 hp, providing thrilling acceleration and a satisfying muscle car roar. The Hellcat models, with their supercharged 6.2-liter engines, offered up to 807 hp, making them incredibly powerful but challenging to handle. The Charger's handling was commendable, with good grip and steering precision, though it required careful driving due to its size.

The 2024 Kia K5 came with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The K5 GT model offered a more powerful 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 290 hp, providing a sportier driving experience. The GT-Line trim, while not as powerful, delivered a comfortable ride with its well-tuned suspension. The K5's fuel efficiency was a highlight, though real-world mileage fell short of EPA estimates. The GT-Line's brakes were adequate for daily driving but struggled under more demanding conditions. Overall, the K5 offered a balanced and enjoyable driving experience.

The 2023 Dodge Charger, despite its large size, felt cramped inside. Headroom was adequate, but the footwells were tight, and rear legroom was compromised by the transmission tunnel. The trunk, however, was spacious at 16.5 cubic feet. The Charger's controls were straightforward, with large buttons and switches for climate and audio systems, making it user-friendly and familiar.

The 2024 Kia K5 provided ample comfort and utility, with a well-designed interior featuring SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts. The front seats were comfortable, and the back seat offered excellent support and legroom. The panoramic sunroof added a luxurious touch, though it reduced headroom for taller passengers. The K5's cargo space measured 16 cubic feet, with a convenient Smart Trunk function for easy access. Storage areas were generous, though some had plastic linings that could be noisy.

The 2023 Dodge Charger lacked the latest Uconnect infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features. It featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot, and SiriusXM. The Charger SRT Dashboard app allowed customization of various performance settings, including launch control and line lock for drag racing enthusiasts.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the LXS trim, with a 10.25-inch display in higher trims. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, with wireless connectivity in the LXS. The larger display included navigation, SiriusXM, and Kia Connect services, offering features like remote start and vehicle recovery. A wireless phone charging pad and a 12-speaker Bose audio system were available in higher trims.

The 2023 Dodge Charger performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving four out of five stars overall. It offered optional safety features like forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control on certain trims. However, these features were not available on Hellcat models, and the backup camera was of low quality.

The 2024 Kia K5 came standard with Kia Drive Wise, a suite of advanced driver-assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assistance. Additional features like adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist were available. The K5 received high marks from NHTSA but scored poorly in updated IIHS tests for moderate overlap frontal-impact and side-impact protection.