Audi A4 vs Kia K5

The 2022 Audi A4 lineup included the A4 sedan, the A4 Allroad, and the S4 performance model. Evaluated in the 45 TFSI Prestige trim, the A4 featured Tango Red paint, the Black Optic Plus package, 19-inch wheels, and ventilated front seats, with an MSRP of $55,890. The A4's simple, clean, and conservative design was enhanced by the Tango Red paint and Black Optic detailing, making it look sensationally good. Inside, the A4 maintained aesthetic restraint with high-quality materials, a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, and ambient lighting, though the tablet-style touchscreen seemed out of place.

The 2022 Kia K5 was offered in LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT trims, all with turbocharged engines. Our test car, a K5 EX with FWD, extra-cost paint, and the EX Premium package, had an MSRP of $33,945. The K5's low, long, and sleek styling suggested a luxury sports sedan. The Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim created an upscale interior. The K5 exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined feel, making it a bargain-priced but not bargain-sourced vehicle.

The 2022 Audi A4 40 TFSI featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed S-tronic DCT and Quattro Ultra AWD, achieving 29 mpg combined. The A4 45 TFSI, with 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque, accelerated to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and averaged 27 mpg combined. The A4's driving modes included Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual. The A4 45 TFSI's performance was dynamically rewarding, with outstanding tire grip, solid brakes, and a quiet cabin, making it a great German sports sedan.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT boasted a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed DCT. The standard K5 engine, a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder, delivered 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, achieving 31 mpg combined. The K5's Drive Mode Select offered Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings. The K5 EX's 1.6-liter turbo provided linear power delivery and returned 29.1 mpg during testing. The K5's ride quality was affected by road noise and minor pavement anomalies, but it handled well and offered excellent outward visibility.

The 2022 Audi A4's low ground clearance made entry and exit challenging, but the front seats were exceptionally comfortable with soft leather, power adjustment, and a thigh-support cushion. The A4's three-zone automatic climate control system was easy to use, and the layout was intuitive. The rear seats were less spacious, with hard plastic front seatbacks and limited legroom. Interior storage was limited, but the 13 cubic-foot trunk was well-finished and practical.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a panoramic sunroof. The K5's low-slung design made entry and exit harder, but the front seats were comfortable, and the rear seats provided ample room. The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy center bin, smartphone charging slot, and hidden door panel trays. The 16 cubic-foot trunk offered lots of cargo space, though it lacked a handle for closing the lid.

The 2022 Audi A4 featured the MIB3 version of Audi Multi-Media Interface (MMI) with a 10.1-inch touchscreen. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, Audi Connect, navigation, wireless charging, and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system. The MMI was intuitive, with acoustic feedback and a Home button for easy navigation. The voice recognition was accurate but slow, and the Bang & Olufsen stereo was satisfying, though it could suffer degradation at high volumes.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The standard 8-inch touchscreen included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The 10.25-inch touchscreen, available on higher trims, required a cable for smartphone integration but added satellite radio, Kia Connect, Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and Sounds of Nature tracks. The K5's voice recognition was poor, but the system included a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert. The Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology.

The 2022 Audi A4's safety features varied by trim. The Prestige model included Audi Pre Sense with front and rear collision preparation, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, safe exit warning, surround-view camera, and Park Assist. The A4 earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Kia K5's safety features included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, automatic high-beam headlights, driver monitoring, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, surround-view monitoring, and power rear child locks. The K5 also earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.