2022 Honda Civic Hatchback vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 boasted an unmistakable style that turned heads on the street. Split into five trim levels—LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT—the K5 showcased a range of luxurious features. All models were equipped with a turbocharged engine, and both the LXS and GT-Line offered an optional AWD system. With base prices ranging from $23,790 to $31,190 (excluding destination charges), the K5 presented itself as an affordable yet stylish option in its segment.

Our test vehicle, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive (FWD), extra-cost paint, and the EX Premium package, cost $33,945, including destination. Compared to the median transaction price of new vehicles, this K5 model appeared to be a substantial value. The K5 had a unique design that gave it the appearance of a luxury sports sedan, maintaining the design leadership that Kia’s Optima was known for. The exterior of the test car was finished in Glacial White Pearl, paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and black interior accents, contributing to its upscale look.

The Kia K5 exuded quality with features such as a sturdy automatic transmission shifter, substantial door release handles, and refined motion in the steering wheel stalks. Additionally, its switchgear and air vents demonstrated minimal panel flex, which added to the perception of solidity and careful construction.

On the other hand, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback aimed to capture the remaining market share left by other hatchbacks. With a redesign and production in Indiana, it sought to retain compact car enthusiasts. Available in LX, Sport, EX-L, and Sport Touring trims, prices for the Civic hatchback ranged from $22,900 to $29,400, excluding the $1,015 destination charge. We tested two Sport Touring models, one with a CVT at $30,415 and another with a six-speed manual transmission at $30,810 (including $395 for the premium gray paint).

The Civic hatch shared its front-end design with the sedan but diverged significantly from the front doors backward, giving it a unique look. However, while the hatchback solved some visual balance issues common in small hatchbacks, it still suffered from a "stubby butt" appearance. Inside, the Civic hatch mirrored the sedan, especially at the Sport Touring trim level, which featured sophisticated digital instrumentation, infotainment displays, and handsome metal honeycomb dashboard detailing.

For maximum power and performance, the 2022 Kia K5 GT with its turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generated 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, it provided an exhilarating drive. The GT, however, was the most expensive and least efficient K5 variant, lacking AWD.

Most buyers opted for the standard turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic, delivered torque between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm, offering linear power delivery with minimal lag. Drive Mode Select allowed calibration for different driving conditions with options like Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom.

During our week-long test drive in Southern California, the Kia K5 EX showed balanced performance with the 1.6-liter turbo engine, achieving 29.1 mpg compared to the EPA-rated 31 mpg combined. However, road noise was noticeable, and the suspension struggled with minor road imperfections, detracting slightly from ride comfort. Visibility was good except for the high rear deck, but the EX Premium package’s surround-view camera system and bumper sensors aided parking.

Conversely, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback featured versatile powertrains. The LX and Sport trims had a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. The LX only paired with a CVT, while the Sport offered a 6-speed manual transmission option.

Upgrading to EX-L or Sport Touring introduced a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, with peak torque available from 1,700 to 4,500 rpm. The EX-L was CVT only, while Sport Touring provided both transmission types.

The Civic hatchback’s CVT worked seamlessly with the turbocharged engine, making it practical for everyday driving with its programmed ratios and paddle shifters. Enthusiasts preferred the Sport Touring's manual transmission for its short throws and fluid engagement. The turbocharged engine offered swift acceleration while maintaining reasonable fuel economy, with our tests achieving close to the EPA estimates—32.1 mpg with CVT and 30.2 mpg with the manual.

Comfort was a strong suit of the 2022 Kia K5. The test car included features like dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, and front passenger seat with heating and ventilation. Rear passengers benefited from rear air conditioning vents, and a panoramic glass sunroof allowed plenty of natural light into the cabin. Despite the lower stance making entry and exit challenging, the seats provided ample comfort, and there was sufficient rear passenger space.

Storage solutions in the K5 were practical, with a 16 cubic-foot trunk and 60/40-split folding back seat, although the lack of a handle on the inside of the trunk lid made closing cumbersome. A Smart Trunk feature improved convenience by automatically opening when standing behind the car with the key fob.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback excelled in functionality, with a generous 24.5 cubic feet of trunk space and a two-piece cargo shade. Although Honda did not provide an official maximum cargo volume with seats folded down, it likely doubled the trunk’s capacity. However, creating a flat load floor was not prioritized, which some might find inconvenient.

Seating in the Civic hatch offered comfort with considerations for legroom. However, the Sport Touring’s lack of height adjustment for the front passenger seat received complaints, and rear passengers missed having air conditioning vents. The driver’s seat in the higher trims had eight-way power adjustments, both front seats were heated, and EX-L and Sport Touring trims featured black leather upholstery.

Kia provided two infotainment options for the 2022 K5. The LX and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line and higher trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen but lost the tuning knob and required a wired connection for smartphone integration. Despite these drawbacks, higher trims included satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, Wi-Fi hotspot, and navigation. The EX Premium package also added a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

However, the K5’s voice recognition did not perform well. It failed to understand most commands, rendering the embedded technology less useful than Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback introduced new infotainment systems. LX, Sport, and EX-L trims featured a 7-inch touchscreen, while the Sport Touring trim upgraded to a 9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, wireless charging, navigation, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system. The physical knobs for sound system controls addressed previous criticisms, and the small shelf beneath the screen offered stability for touchscreen operation.

The Civic’s voice recognition worked beautifully, accurately responding to commands. Sport buyers, however, might consider upgrading the audio system, as the standard speakers were lackluster.

Kia equipped the 2022 K5 with the comprehensive Kia Drive Wise suite of driver assistance features. Standard on our test car were forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. The EX Premium package added advanced features like cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view monitoring system. Highway Drive Assist stood out for its smooth and accurate operation.

These safety features helped the K5 achieve top ratings: a Top Safety Pick+ from IIHS and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA.

The 2022 Honda Civic Hatchback came with the enhanced Honda Sensing suite. This included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and Road Departure Mitigation. New features like low-speed following and Traffic Jam Assist (CVT only) improved daily driving.

Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert were limited to the EX-L and Sport Touring trims. The Civic also featured a rear-seat reminder system, rear seatbelt reminder, and new designed frontal airbags to reduce collision injuries. The car’s ACE structure further enhanced crash energy management.

The Civic earned a Top Safety Pick+ rating from IIHS but showed minor operational quirks like abrupt braking and noticeable lane-keeping corrections.