2022 Hyundai Sonata vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 had several trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT—all powered by turbocharged engines. Its base prices ranged between $23,790 and $31,190, not including the destination charge. Our test car, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive, extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, had an MSRP of $33,945.

With its low, long, and sleek design, the K5 appeared more like a luxury sports sedan. The Glacial White Pearl exterior and Ash Blue synthetic leather interior highlighted its upscale look, complemented by matte-finish fake wood trim and metallic accents. Hard plastic surfaces were confined to the lower cabin, ensuring a premium feel overall.

The build quality of the K5 was impressive. Solid control sensations indicated careful construction, with no loose or sloppy feels from the transmission shifter or door handles. Even the steering wheel stalks exhibited refined and secure motion. The switchgear and air vents demonstrated a robust build with no panel flex, further emphasizing that the K5 wasn’t just bargain-priced but also built with quality materials.

In the early years, the Hyundai Sonata seemed to mimic segment leaders like the Honda Accord, often leading to criticism for its lack of originality. However, Hyundai gradually improved the Sonata, adding flair and personality with each generation. By the 2022 model year, the Sonata had a distinct look, starting with a wide grille, rounded front fascia, and a sloped rear roofline, creating a love-it-or-hate-it design.

Inside, the 2022 Sonata offered a functional and spacious cabin with seats for five. Our Limited trim test car featured leather seats and clear gauges, though the tan upholstery seemed overly orange. The tan and black two-tone interior provided some visual relief. For those favoring a more aggressive style, the N Line trim offered extras like dark chrome trim, red stitching on the steering wheel and seats, sport seats, and aluminum sport pedals.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered a dichotomy between performance and practicality. For maximum power, the K5 GT had a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. But it came at a higher cost and lacked all-wheel drive. More practical trims like our K5 EX featured a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque with linear power delivery and minimal lag.

Drive Mode Select allowed calibration of the powertrain with settings like Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom. The spunky 1.6-liter turbo was well-matched to the car, providing decent power for city driving and highway merges. However, it lacked excessive passing power, so planning was essential. In terms of fuel economy, our K5 EX achieved 29.1 mpg, short of the EPA’s 31 mpg estimate.

Road noise was an issue on certain surfaces, and the suspension struggled with small road anomalies. Conversely, the K5 excelled in wind noise reduction with a 0.27 drag coefficient, though visibility was hampered by the high rear deck. The K5 EX handled well enough without being a true sports sedan—steering feel was average, and the brakes exhibited some odor after intensive use.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata presented a split personality. The base engine, a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque, was adequate but unremarkable. For a bit more pepper, the 1.6-liter turbo engine, standard in SEL Plus and Limited trims, offered 180 hp and 195 lb-ft, making it a suitable choice for everyday driving tasks. Both engines were mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and paddle shifters added a sporty touch in top trims.

The Sonata N Line came alive with a more dynamic performance package, featuring a 2.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 290 hp, paired with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission and sport suspension. This setup transformed the Sonata into an enthusiast's delight, with a tuned exhaust that offered a thrilling experience.

All Sonatas were front-wheel drive, and the N Line's energetic drive was an exhilarating contrast to the otherwise mild-mannered trims. The ride was smooth, handling was competent without pushing too hard, and the cabin offered a serene environment comparable to higher-end models.

The 2022 Kia K5 prioritized comfort, with dual-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, and a heated steering wheel. A panoramic glass sunroof provided ample natural light, and rear passengers enjoyed rear air conditioning vents. Getting in and out of the low-slung K5 could be a challenge, though the seats were comfortable, with sufficient room in the rear.

The K5 offered well-organized controls and useful storage areas, like a roomy bin under the center armrest, a smartphone charging slot, and integrated trays in the door panel armrests. The trunk boasted a generous 16 cubic feet of cargo space, extendable by lowering the 60/40-split rear seats. However, there was no internal handle for closing the trunk lid, though a Smart Trunk feature added convenience.

Conversely, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata’s cabin provided 104.4 cubic feet of passenger space, enough for EPA "Large Car" classification, though real-world dynamics varied. Front seat headroom and legroom were class-leading, but shoulder room was average. The rear seat could comfortably fit two adults, while a third might feel cramped. The 16-cubic-foot trunk was spacious, slightly trailing the Honda Accord's trunk but substantial enough to hold a three-piece luggage set.

An amusing tech feature was the Remote Smart Parking Assist, allowing the Sonata to maneuver into tight spots remotely via the key fob. It was a showstopper in demos, despite being less practical in daily use.

The 2022 Kia K5 featured two infotainment systems. The LX and LXS trims had an 8-inch touchscreen with large volume and tuning knobs and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Starting with GT-Line, a 10.25-inch touchscreen replaced the tuning knob and switching to wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Other added features included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and ambient noise tracks. A wireless smartphone charger and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system were standard in higher trims.

Our test car included a Leading Vehicle Departure Alert system. However, the purple graphic interface was polarizing, and voice recognition was subpar, primarily excelling only in finding a Starbucks or a hospital.

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata’s infotainment options scaled with price. Base SE trims came with an 8-inch touchscreen, six speakers, HD Radio, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a USB port. SEL trims added SiriusXM radio and Blue Link services. The SEL Plus, Limited, and N Line trims upgraded to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, a 12-speaker Bose system, wireless charging, and dynamic voice recognition.

The 2022 Sonata's Tech package became standard on SEL trims, featuring items like the 10.25-inch nav system and a panoramic sunroof. Pairing an iPhone via Bluetooth was seamless, and the Bose audio system provided impressive sound quality, underscoring Hyundai’s focus on offering advanced tech at a good value.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety features. Standard driver assistance systems included forward-collision warning, 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 cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view system, and power rear child locks.

Highway Driving Assist was notably effective, maintaining smooth responses to traffic. The K5 achieved top safety ratings from both IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and NHTSA (five-star overall rating).

The 2022 Hyundai Sonata also boasted an extensive safety suite. Standard features included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, driver-attention warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and Rear Occupant Alert. Higher trims added blind-spot collision-avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-centering assistance, blind-spot view monitor, rear park assist, and surround-view monitor.

The Sonata earned NHTSA’s five-star overall rating and performed well in IIHS crash tests, with select trims receiving top marks for crash prevention technologies.