2023 Acura Integra vs 2024 Kia K5

The 2023 Acura Integra aspired to embody Acura's cohesive design language, sharing visual cues with the TLX sedan and RDX and MDX crossovers. Featuring a pentagonal grille, JewelEye headlights, and sharply creased character lines, the Integra positioned itself as a modern and stylish compact. Its five-door liftback design distinguished it from the outgoing ILX and added practical appeal. Embossing the “Integra” name on the front-left and rear-right corners served as a nod to its heritage. The wide track and long wheelbase contributed to a planted, compact-car look, with sporty touches like a decklid spoiler, dual exhaust outlets, and prominent taillights enhancing its aggressive stance.

Inside the Integra, there were similarities with the Honda Civic, but with enough distinctions to feel unique. The climate control features included honeycomb grilles and premium-feeling knurled metal finishes. The A-Spec with Technology trim featured a 9-inch color touchscreen, with a good-looking and comfortable thin steering wheel. The visibility was good overall, though the rearward view was not as clear. The microsuede upholstery on the A-Spec trims provided excellent grip but lacked breathability, and ventilated seats were not available.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia K5 continued from the Optima lineage, which debuted in 2021. The GT-Line trim grabbed attention with its Passion Red Tint Coat, receiving positive remarks from onlookers. Despite the name change, public awareness of the K5 remained relatively low. Designed as a great-looking vehicle, the K5 had a well-detailed interior, combining textured metallic trim and a robust transmission shifter with some less expensive-looking plastic materials.

The cabin design impressed with its textured trim around air vents, and the transmission shifter exuded quality. With a price once totaling $30,530, including upgrades like a premium paint job, panoramic sunroof, and additional mats, it boasted competitive pricing yet couldn't deliver high-end quality consistently due to some hard, glossy surfaces.

The 2023 Acura Integra made an exciting debut with a turbocharged 1.5-liter engine producing 200 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. Unique to the A-Spec with Technology trim, it offered a satisfying six-speed manual transmission, while other trims were paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Manual transmission highlights included automatic rev-matching, which facilitated smooth downshifting, and added features like automatic start/stop and brake hold.

The Integra's handling proved impressive, with its front-wheel-drive setup, firm yet comfortable suspension, and responsive variable-ratio electric power steering. Drivers could toggle between Comfort, Normal, and Sport modes, with Sport mode enhancing steering weight and suspension stiffness, allowing for a sharp and enjoyable driving experience.

In comparison, the 2024 Kia K5 provided two engine options. The K5 GT-Line tested came with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine delivering 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. While offering front-wheel drive as standard, all-wheel drive was also available. The invigorating K5 GT model featured a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, offered exclusively with front-wheel drive and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Driving modes included Smart, Normal, Sport, and Custom, with additional Snow mode for AWD and Sport+ with launch control for the GT. Fuel efficiency was a point of contention, as the K5 GT-Line underperformed against its EPA ratings. However, the GT-Line’s ride comfort, composed handling, and predictable dynamics were commendable. The steering, though effective, was not exceptional, and the brakes struggled under spirited driving conditions.

The 2023 Acura Integra excelled in practicality thanks to its liftback design, providing 24.3 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the high load floor was a hindrance for shorter individuals and heavy luggage handling. The interior offered logical ergonomics, smart storage solutions, and ample comfort for driver and passengers. Rear-seat space was adequate for average passengers, but the roofline limited headroom for taller occupants.

The 2024 Kia K5, meanwhile, combined style with practicality, presenting a spacious cabin. The GT-Line featured SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts, while higher trims offered full SynTex, which could be clingy with certain attire. The driver’s seat had a 10-way power adjustment, and the front passenger seat height was manually adjustable. Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats were standard on most trims, with additional options for a heated steering wheel and ventilated seats. The panoramic sunroof provided an open-air feel but compromised headroom for taller rear passengers. Interior storage was ample, though plastic linings in bins could let items slide noisily. The trunk offered a functional cargo space of 16 cubic feet, complemented by the convenience of a Smart Trunk feature.

The 2023 Acura Integra set a strong standard for safety, offering an extensive suite of ADAS features across all trims. Notable inclusions were automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise-control, lane-keeping assist, and a rear-seat reminder. The higher trims added front and rear parking sensors, low-speed brake control, and rain-sensing wipers. Despite not yet being tested by IIHS, it earned a five-star safety rating from NHTSA.

Similarly, the 2024 Kia K5 featured the comprehensive Kia Drive Wise suite, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane departure warning, and more. Higher trims offered additional features like cyclist detection, intersection braking, and highway driving assist, which impressed with its practical execution. The K5 scored well in NHTSA tests but received lower scores in the updated IIHS evaluations for moderate overlap frontal and side impacts, indicating potential areas for improvement.