2022 Kia K5 vs 2021 Volkswagen Jetta

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta presented a more upscale presence compared to its predecessor, with a slightly longer and wider body, maintaining the same height. Its design was inspired by the VW Arteon sport sedan, featuring a wide, angular grille that added a dramatic flair to its appearance. Inside, the Jetta continued this angular design language, creating a cabin that was both spacious and functional. The interior offered a premium feel with comfortable seats suitable for long drives, despite not all surfaces being soft-touch. The Jetta was available in Comfortline, Highline, and Execline trims, with the base Comfortline trim surprisingly well-equipped, including features like heated front seats and a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The 2022 Kia K5, on the other hand, was a striking vehicle with a low, long, and sleek design that suggested a luxury sports sedan. It continued the design leadership established by its predecessor, the Optima. The test car featured a unique interior with Ash Blue synthetic leather and matte-finish fake wood trim, creating an upscale atmosphere. The K5 exuded quality, with solid controls and a refined feel throughout the cabin. Despite some hard plastic surfaces, the overall impression was one of a well-constructed vehicle. The K5's design was complemented by its practical features, such as a spacious trunk and a comfortable interior, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a stylish yet functional family sedan.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was powered by a 1.4-litre turbo inline four-cylinder engine, producing 147 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. Despite having slightly less horsepower than its predecessor, the engine felt more responsive, thanks to its tuning and the new 8-speed automatic transmission. This transmission allowed the Jetta to deliver power efficiently across a range of speeds, making it suitable for both city driving and highway cruising. The Jetta's steering was well-weighted and precise, offering a smooth and sporty driving experience. It managed to provide a refined yet soft ride, handling rough roads with ease. Fuel efficiency was impressive, with the manual transmission achieving 6.9 litres per 100 kilometres combined, and the automatic at 7.1 L/100 km.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two engine options, with the GT trim featuring a turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. However, the standard engine for most trims was a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, delivering 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. This engine provided a linear power delivery, with torque available between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The K5's performance was enhanced by the Drive Mode Select system, allowing drivers to choose between Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings. Fuel economy was reasonable, with the base engine consuming 8.2 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving. While the K5 offered decent grip and handling, it lacked the light and lively feel of some competitors, and road noise was more pronounced in the cabin.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta offered comfortable front seats, even on long trips, with adequate rear-seat legroom and headroom. The trunk space was 399 litres, which was average for the class. The interior layout was practical, with a touchscreen positioned above the climate vents for easy access. The Jetta combined touchscreen functions with real buttons and dials, prioritizing functionality and ease of use.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia K5 provided a comfortable interior with dual-zone automatic climate control and power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation. The panoramic sunroof added natural light to the cabin, enhancing the overall ambiance. While the K5's low-slung design made entry and exit more challenging, the interior offered ample headroom and legroom for rear-seat passengers. The controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. The K5's trunk offered 434 litres of cargo space, expandable with the 60/40-split folding back seat.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta came equipped with a 6.5-inch touchscreen display featuring Volkswagen’s Car-Net App-Connect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Execline trim offered Volkswagen’s Digital Cockpit, a customizable digital display that replaced the conventional instrument panel, providing a personalized driving experience.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems, with the LX and EX trims featuring an 8-inch touchscreen display with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim and above had a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen, requiring a cable for smartphone integration. The K5 also included satellite radio, Kia Connect services, and a navigation system. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the GT trim featured a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The 2021 Volkswagen Jetta was equipped with a comprehensive array of safety features, including front and side airbags, a reversing camera, and a tire pressure monitoring system. The Highline trim added blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, while the Execline included additional driver-assistance features like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. The Jetta received a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA but fell short of a Top Safety Pick recommendation from the IIHS due to its headlights.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in safety, offering a wide range of driver assistance systems as standard in Canada. These included forward-collision-avoidance assist, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assist. The K5 also featured Safe Exit Assist and Kia Connect technology with 911 Connect and safe teen driver settings. The K5 achieved a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS and a five-star crash-test rating from the NHTSA.