2021 Honda Civic vs 2021 Kia K5

The 2021 Kia K5 was a departure from Kia’s older, less stylish models. It marked a rebranding for Kia, following its transition from the Kia Optima to the K5, evoking a sense of modernity and refinement. The K5’s design drew inspiration from the performance-oriented Kia Stinger, creating a fastback silhouette that was both dynamic and sophisticated. Our test car, in GT-Line trim, exuded style with flat Wolf Gray paint and vibrant red seats, closely resembling an Audi A5 Sportback. This resemblance wasn't coincidental, as chief designer Peter Schreyer, with a legacy at the Volkswagen Group, had a significant influence on the K5’s aesthetic.

The K5 featured a unique rear window design that blended into a concise tail, with polished black trim running around the thick D-pillars, hinting at a tailgate structure but concealing a conventional trunk. Its distinctive taillights were connected by a slim, continuous LED strip, augmenting the car’s width. The vehicle’s stance was sportier, being lower, longer, and wider than its predecessor, the Optima. The front fascia stood out with Z-shaped amber LED running lights, a honeycomb grille, and intricate fog lights, making the K5 a consistent head-turner.

Inside, the K5 indulged in detail. The dashboard design divided driver and passenger areas with a pronounced central stack that angled toward the driver. Our GT-Line model's red seats, black accents, and flat-bottom steering wheel contributed to a luxurious feel. The car boasted quality materials, with padded surfaces in high-touch areas and stylish hard plastics elsewhere. The overlapping instrument panel and thoughtful details amplified the K5’s appeal, offering a sense of quality absent in many competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Honda Civic maintained its established reputation with practical, if polarizing, styling. The 10th-generation Civic had been a pioneer in the compact car segment when introduced in 2016, but by 2021, its design had become familiar. Nonetheless, the Civic continued to stand out in a bustling market with its distinct styling and broad appeal. Our test car, a Touring sedan in Cosmic Blue Metallic, was both elegant and sporty with its 18-inch wheels. However, the Civic’s styling could alternately be seen as either attractive or overly adventurous depending on the viewing angle and lighting conditions.

Inside, the Civic’s once-forward-thinking design now seemed more conventional. The interior featured quality materials and a thoughtful layout. Despite the somewhat dated maximum infotainment screen size of 7 inches, the Civic’s cabin remained functional and driver-focused. However, the technology didn't quite keep pace with newer competitors. Overall, the Civic's look and feel, while still commendable, had lost some of its initial edge, reflecting the need for the upcoming redesign anticipated in the following model year.

The performance of the 2021 Kia K5 contrasted sharply with its aggressive exterior. The GT-Line’s sporty appearance didn't translate into equally sporty driving dynamics. Our test car lacked paddle shifters, and its softer suspension, paired with Pirelli P Zero All-Season tires, squealed under pressure in tight turns, falling short of sports sedan expectations. While the brakes were effective, and the steering communicative, the GT-Line primarily served as an aesthetic package rather than a performance one.

However, the GT trim promised more excitement with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Unfortunately, this power was funneled through a front-wheel-drive system, potentially limiting handling precision. Meanwhile, the standard 1.6-liter turbo-four engine delivered 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This configuration allowed the K5 to handle everyday traffic with ease, and its eight-speed automatic transmission performed well, particularly in Sport mode. The K5 boasted impressive fuel economy, averaging nearly 36 mpg over an extended highway trip, showcasing its efficiency as a family sedan despite its sporty cues.

On the other side, the 2021 Honda Civic offered a choice between an adequate 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 pound-feet of torque and a more compelling turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine available on higher trims. The turbo engine generated 174 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, providing ample power across a broad rpm range, making it the preferable choice for drivers seeking a more engaging experience.

Though the Civic’s powertrain was paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which had some drawbacks, its 1.5-liter turbo engine was lively and enjoyable. The Civic’s suspension setup and precise steering contributed to a well-balanced, enjoyable driving experience, particularly in the Touring trim with 18-inch wheels. Despite the CVT’s occasional droning, the Civic achieved commendable fuel economy, averaging 34.8 mpg during testing and exceeding its EPA estimate. Overall, the Civic delivered a more dynamic and fulfilling performance compared to the K5’s base offerings.

Both the 2021 Kia K5 and Honda Civic catered well to passengers and practicality, but there were notable differences in their approach to interior space and functionality.

The Kia K5 excelled in accommodating passengers, providing enough space in the rear to comfortably seat two six-foot adults even with its sleek, sloping roofline. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives, while the due attention to detail in practical elements like the legible climate controls and a strategically placed wireless charging pad emphasized user convenience. The K5's infotainment system was intuitive, and the optional 10-inch display added a modern touch to the cabin. With 16 cubic feet of trunk space, the K5 offered substantial cargo capacity, with the option to fold down the rear seats for additional storage, further enhancing its practicality as a family vehicle.

In comparison, the 2021 Honda Civic had its own strengths and quirks. Despite its low-slung seating position, which some might find challenging for ingress and egress, the Civic provided a comfortable ride once inside. The front seats offered eight-way power adjustment, although the front passenger’s seat lacked height adjustment, which could have added additional comfort. The rear seats were spacious, offering excellent thigh support and a comfortable backrest angle. However, like the K5, the Civic did not offer rear air vents, which could make for an uncomfortable ride on hot days for rear passengers.

The Civic shone in terms of clever storage solutions. The center console provided ample space for personal items, thanks to practical features like trays and deep compartments. The Civic sedan’s trunk was generously sized, offering 15.1 cubic feet of cargo space, slightly less than the K5. However, the Touring trim’s premium sound system reduced this space to 14.7 cubic feet, still respectable but a minor drawback for those needing maximum storage.

With a focus on modern amenities and ease of use, the Kia K5 had a distinct edge over the Honda Civic in terms of technology. The lack of factory navigation was mitigated by the standard inclusion of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making smartphone integration seamless. The GT-Line trim added several enhancements, such as larger wheels, fog lights, and additional USB ports. Notably, the Premium package offered panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and stylish LED headlights, significantly enhancing the driving experience. Higher trims like the EX and GT included additional features like ventilated seats, a Bose stereo system, and advanced voice command capabilities.

The Civic, while technologically advanced at its inception, showed its age by 2021. The base LX trim was sparsely equipped, offering only a 5-inch LCD screen and a single USB port. Upgrading to the Sport trim brought a 7-inch touchscreen, an eight-speaker sound system, and improved smartphone compatibility. Higher trims like the EX offered HD Radio and SiriusXM, while the top-tier Touring included navigation and a premium audio system. However, the voice recognition system in the Touring trim was less sophisticated, requiring specific prompts.

Despite the Civic’s slower pace in adopting newer technologies, it still provided essential features for a comfortable and connected driving experience. The K5’s technology suite seemed more comprehensive and user-friendly, making it a stronger contender for tech-savvy consumers.

The 2021 Kia K5’s safety credentials were anticipated to be strong, reflecting the improvements in its chassis and body structure. While it had not yet been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, its extensive suite of standard safety features was promising. These included forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added advanced features like blind-spot monitoring, Safe Exit Assist, and cyclist detection, enhancing the vehicle’s overall safety profile. The inclusion of rear side airbags and a driver’s knee airbag underscored Kia’s commitment to occupant protection.

The 2021 Honda Civic, a longstanding frontrunner in safety, equipped every trim with Honda Sensing—a comprehensive suite of ADAS technologies. This encompassed adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Standard features like automatic high-beam headlights and a multi-angle reversing camera further boosted safety. However, the Civic’s LaneWatch system, while innovative, had limitations, including vulnerability to damage and a focus only on the right side of the vehicle.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Civic earned notable safety ratings, including a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS for the Touring trim and five-star ratings across all NHTSA assessments. These accolades reinforced the Civic's strong reputation for occupant safety.