2022 Nissan Altima vs 2022 Kia K5

The 2022 Kia K5 was offered in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. Each variant came with a turbocharged engine, with the LXS and GT-Line offering an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. The base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge to ship the K5 from Kia’s assembly plant in West Point, Georgia, to local dealerships.

The test vehicle, a K5 EX with front-wheel drive (FWD), extra-cost paint, the EX Premium option package, and floor mats, came to an MSRP of $33,945, including the destination fee. Given that many Americans spent more on a typical new vehicle, the K5 EX offered attractive pricing. The K5 stood out with its low, long, sleek profile that gave it the appearance of a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family sedan. The Glacial White Pearl paint paired with Ash Blue synthetic leather and black interior, accented by matte-finish faux wood and polished metallic trim, conveyed an upscale feel.

Kia ensured the K5 exuded quality through refined and solid controls, particularly the automatic transmission shifter, door release handles, and steering wheel stalks. The use of high-quality materials and thoughtful design resulted in a cabin that felt genuinely premium despite the car's competitive pricing.

On the flip side, the 2022 Nissan Altima had evolved significantly since its inception in 1993. By the sixth-generation model in 2022, it showcased a sportier design with the hallmark V-Motion grille, low wide stance, tall doors, creased body lines, and a sharply sloped "floating" roofline. The Altima was available in five trims: S, SV, SR, SL, and Platinum. The SR trim featured a compelling Midnight Edition package for an additional $1,750, enhancing the car’s sporty look with gloss black elements, LED fog lights, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and a unique badge. The test vehicle came in Gun Metallic gray, which complemented the blacked-out features.

Inside, the Altima offered highlights like Zero Gravity front seats, a well-organized instrument panel, and premium materials, although the quality varied with trim levels. While the Altima's floating roofline and high rear shelf limited visibility, the quality materials throughout the cabin provided a premium feel.

For peak power and performance, the Kia K5 GT provided a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an impressive 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, channeling power to the front wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Despite its thrilling performance, the GT model was pricier and less fuel-efficient, and it omitted AWD. The standard turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine of the lower-tier K5 models, including the EX, produced 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, delivering power more gradually. The car tested in Southern California proved spunky enough for daily driving, with a linear power delivery and decent acceleration but limited passing power. The 1.6-liter engine returned an average of 29.1 mpg over various driving conditions, slightly below the EPA-rated 31 mpg.

The ride quality of the K5 EX was a mix. While the car dealt effectively with larger bumps and speed humps, it allowed road noise and minor pavement imperfections to impact cabin comfort. The suspension didn’t match the handling prowess of rivals like the Honda Accord, but it remained composed, if not particularly sporty.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered two engine choices: a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing 188 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque, and a 2.0-liter variable-compression turbo (VC-Turbo) delivering 248 hp and 273 lb-ft. The latter was available only with the SR trim and front-wheel drive. The base 2.5-liter engine could be paired with either FWD or AWD and used a continuously variable transmission (CVT) across all trims.

The test Altima featured the base 2.5-liter engine with AWD, providing mediocre acceleration and noticeable engine noise, although once at speed, the ride was smooth and quiet thanks to Active Ride Control. The VC-Turbo engine, although offering more robust performance, did not come with AWD, which somewhat limited its appeal. While the Altima’s CVT performed adequately, the lack of true paddle shifters made the SR trim’s sporty pretensions seem unnecessary.

Inside the 2022 Kia K5, comfort was a priority. All trims featured dual-zone automatic climate control. The test car's front seats were power-adjustable and included heating and ventilation, complemented by a heated steering wheel and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof added a touch of luxury, though the low-slung profile made entry and exit somewhat challenging. While front seating comfort was commendable, rear passengers had ample headroom, legroom, and foot space, barring overly reclined front seats.

The Kia K5 provided functional storage solutions, including a generous bin under the center armrest, a smartphone charging slot, and discreet door panel trays. The trunk offered a spacious 16 cubic feet, expandable via 60/40-split folding rear seats. The Smart Trunk feature simplified access, although the lack of an interior trunk handle was a minor inconvenience.

The 2022 Nissan Altima offered all the essentials for a commuter or family sedan, with comfortable seating for four or five on shorter journeys. The test car provided easy-to-use controls and an accessible back seat, although the high rear shelf compromised rear visibility. The Altima's trunk space totaled 15.4 cubic feet, smaller than the K5's but still practical for most needs. The largest fuel tank capacity in its class was a noteworthy advantage, enabling longer trips between fill-ups.

Storage-wise, the Altima did well with a decent-sized trunk and easily accessible seating arrangements. However, one downside was that the trunk's metal support bars could crush items if not carefully arranged before closure.

The 2022 Kia K5 came with two available infotainment systems. The entry-level models, LX and LXS, featured an 8-inch touchscreen with large knobs for volume and tuning and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim and above had a larger 10.25-inch screen, though it lacked the tuning knob and required a wired connection for smartphone integration. This setup offered satellite radio, Kia Connect services, a navigation system, and more.

Higher trims included a wireless smartphone charger and a Bose 12-speaker audio system. The Leading Vehicle Departure Alert, a thoughtful feature, acknowledged the multitasking nature of the K5’s driver base, alerting them when traffic moved. However, the voice recognition system was subpar, often failing to execute commands accurately.

In the 2022 Nissan Altima, the base model came with a basic 5-inch multifunction display and a 7-inch touchscreen audio system with Bluetooth, Siri Eyes Free, and a hands-free text messaging assistant. Higher trims upgraded to an 8-inch touchscreen with wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM radio, and additional USB ports. Starting with the SL trim, the Altima featured a Bose nine-speaker audio system, navigation, and connected services powered by SiriusXM.

Advanced technologies like active noise cancellation and ProPilot Assist were available in the Altima. ProPilot Assist represented a step towards semi-autonomous driving, aiding with acceleration, steering, and braking under certain conditions. However, the test vehicle did not come equipped with this feature, though the standard tech worked flawlessly, integrating well with Apple CarPlay and delivering quality sound through the audio system.

Safety was a strong suit for the Kia K5. The test car was equipped with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist, part of the Kia Drive Wise driver assistance suite. Other features included automatic high-beam headlights, driver monitoring, rear-seat reminder, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, and a surround-view monitoring system.

The comprehensive safety tech earned the Kia K5 top safety ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with the highest possible scores.

The 2022 Nissan Altima also came well-equipped with safety features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, and forward-collision warning, alongside automatic high-beam headlights, driver-attention warning, and rear door alert. From the SV trim onward, Safety Shield 360 added rear automatic braking, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert.

These features contributed to the Altima’s excellent safety ratings, including a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS. The IIHS also rated the Altima’s headlights and front crash prevention as “Acceptable” and “Superior,” respectively, and gave the child-seat anchors a “Good+” rating.