2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs 2021 Kia K5

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, part of the W213 generation introduced in 2017, moved away from the sharper, boxier angles of its predecessor to adopt the fluid, curvier forms seen in the 2014 S-Class and 2015 C-Class. This design theme, dubbed "sensual purity" by Mercedes chief designer Gorden Wagener, aimed to create a smooth and elegant appearance. For 2021, the E-Class received a slightly edgier front with squinted headlights and an inverted trapezoid grille, while the rear featured horizontal taillights cutting into the trunk lid, reminiscent of the W212. The new bumpers with larger air intakes, new exhaust tips, and new wheels added to its handsome and elegant look, whether as a sedan, wagon, coupe, or convertible.

Inside, the E-Class was a showcase of luxurious materials and exuberant style. Rich woods, aluminum, and carbon fiber adorned the cabin, sweeping across the curved dash, around the four circular air vents, and along the intricate doors. The details were impressive, with metal speaker grilles, elaborate stitching, and incredible ambient lighting that interacted with the car's climate and mood settings. The black monolith on the dash revealed two 12-inch screens with crisp detail and brilliant color, and the new steering wheels with touch-sensitive controls added a modern touch. The E-Class's interior was unmatched by any car at its price, offering a lavish and modern experience.

The 2021 Kia K5, a rebranded version of the Optima, marked a significant shift in Kia's identity. Styled in the GT-Line trim with flat Wolf Gray paint and fire-engine red seats, the K5 resembled an Audi A5 Sportback, thanks to the influence of Peter Schreyer, Kia's chief designer. The K5 featured a long, ovoid-shaped rear window blending into a short tail, polished black trim wrapping around the thick D-pillars, and unique taillights with dashed LEDs meeting at opposing angles in one thin strip. The front boasted Z-shaped amber LED running lights, a honeycomb grille, and stacked LED fog lights, making the K5 a striking and sporty-looking sedan.

Inside, the K5's interior was designed for comfort and style. The dash was split between driver and passenger, with a Supra-style divider and an angled center stack. The GT-Line featured red seats with black accents and piping, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and quality materials throughout. The vinyl on the seats felt like leather, and the hard plastic in the lower areas had a good grain and finish. The infotainment system and central display were simple and quick to operate, with an optional 10-inch display with touch-sensitive buttons. The K5's interior exuded sportiness and quality, making it a standout in its class.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class saw a significant change with the switch from conventional V6 engines to electrified inline-six powertrains for the highest-volume models. The E450 became a hybrid, using a 48-volt electrical system to supplement the common 12-volt system. This setup included a small lithium-ion battery powering an electric starter-generator, providing extra power and torque for brief seconds and allowing the engine to shut off more often. The 3.0-liter inline-six engine produced 362 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, with additional power from the battery's overboost. The base E350's 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine, revised for 2020, offered 255 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque but lacked the performance expected of a luxury car.

The AMG E53 added a second turbo, powered by the 48-volt battery, to the E450's engine, producing 429 hp and 384 lb-ft of torque. The AMG E63 S featured a hand-built 4.0-liter V8 with 603 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque, paired with a 48-volt system. The E-Class offered a range of performance options, from the efficient E350 to the high-performance AMG models. Fuel economy varied, with the E450 4Matic and E350 4Matic sedans returning 26 mpg combined, while the AMG models had lower ratings.

The 2021 Kia K5, particularly in the GT-Line trim, did not deliver the sporty performance suggested by its aggressive styling. The GT-Line's 1.6-liter turbo-four engine produced 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The ride was balanced and isolated, but the handling fell short of expectations. The GT trim promised better performance with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, but it was only available with front-wheel drive.

Fuel economy for the K5 was impressive, with the base engine achieving an EPA-estimated 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined on front-wheel-drive models. The all-wheel-drive version had slightly lower ratings. The K5's performance was adequate for everyday driving, but it lacked the excitement and handling prowess of a true sports sedan.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class offered a spacious and luxurious cabin, with ample headroom and legroom for four adults. The seats were supportive, and the interior featured high-quality materials and intricate details. The sedan had 13 cubic feet of trunk space, while the coupe and convertible had 10 cubic feet or less with the roof down. The wagon offered more cargo space, with 35 cubic feet or 64 cubic feet with the seats folded. The E-Class was user-friendly, with separate climate controls, drive mode switches, and seat controls on the doors. However, the dual screens required some learning to master.

The 2021 Kia K5 provided comfortable seating for two adults in the back, with enough headroom and legroom for six-footers. The front seats were supportive and firm, ideal for long drives. The interior featured hard buttons for climate controls, stereo, and shortcut buttons surrounding the touchscreen, making it easy to use. The wireless charging pad was a handy addition, and the infotainment system was simple and quick to operate. The K5 offered 16 cubic feet of trunk space, with the rear seats folding down for additional cargo room.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class featured the MBUX infotainment system, which included a touchscreen interface, natural voice processing, and online searches. The system offered various functions, such as live feed overlays from the front camera, massaging seats, and seat kinetics. However, it did not support over-the-air updates, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were not wireless. The E-Class also included optional driving assists, such as lane-keeping assist and adaptive cruise control, making it a technologically advanced vehicle.

The 2021 Kia K5 came standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, making it easy to set up and use. The LX trim included LED headlights, auto high beams, dual-zone climate control, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added features like a power driver's seat, rear USB ports, and a panoramic sunroof. The GT trim included paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, and additional performance hardware. The K5's infotainment system was user-friendly, with optional voice command features compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

The 2021 Mercedes-Benz E-Class was one of the safest cars on sale, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The E-Class included standard safety features such as forward automatic emergency braking, a driver-attention monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. Optional features included rear side airbags and advanced driver-assist systems.

The 2021 Kia K5 had not yet been rated by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was expected to receive top scores due to its stronger chassis and body shell. The K5 included standard safety features such as forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added features like blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist, cyclist detection, and rear emergency braking.