2022 Kia K5 vs 2022 Nissan Sentra

The 2022 Kia K5 was available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, all featuring a turbocharged engine. The LXS and GT-Line trims offered an optional all-wheel-drive system. Base prices ranged from $23,790 to $31,190, excluding the destination charge. The 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, including destination. This pricing was considered attractive given the median average transaction price for new vehicles in the U.S.

The K5's design was striking, with a low, long, and sleek profile that suggested a luxury sports sedan rather than a practical family car. The test car featured Glacial White Pearl paint and an Ash Blue synthetic leather interior with matte-finish fake wood trim and polished metallic accents, creating an upscale feel. The car exuded quality, with solid-feeling controls, a secure transmission shifter, and refined steering wheel stalks, contributing to a sense of care in its construction.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra, redesigned in 2020, carried over into 2022 with minimal changes. Its exterior resembled a downsized Altima, featuring a low-slung, coupe-like, and modern design. The test model came in a sedate gray paint scheme, but the Sentra was also available in bold colors like blue, burnt orange, and "Scarlet Ember," with four colors offering a contrasting black roof. The interior was a highlight, with a modern yet simple layout that combined form and function. The front cabin featured a touchscreen rising from the dash, serving as the visual centerpiece.

The Sentra was available in S, SV, and SR trims. The base S trim included 16-inch steel wheels, active grille shutters, halogen headlights, power windows, power locks, remote keyless entry, pushbutton start, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The SV trim added 16-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, premium cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and an 8-inch touchscreen. The SR trim featured 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, and sport cloth seats with orange accent stitching. The Midnight Edition package for the SR trim added dark accents, including black 18-inch alloy wheels and a black rear spoiler.

The 2022 Kia K5 GT featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. However, the GT was the most expensive and least efficient K5 variant and did not offer all-wheel drive. The standard K5 engine was a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. This engine provided linear power delivery with little low-end lag, thanks to the availability of torque between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm.

The K5 EX test car featured Drive Mode Select with Normal, Sport, Smart, and Custom settings, and Active Sound Control for a simulated engine note. During testing in Southern California, the 1.6-liter turbo engine performed well, offering sufficient power for merging onto freeways and powering out of corners. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the K5 EX at 31 mpg in combined driving, but the test car returned 29.1 mpg. The K5 EX allowed too much road noise into the cabin and had a suspension that struggled with small road imperfections. However, wind noise was minimal, and outward visibility was excellent, except directly to the back.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra was powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 149 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive. The engine and transmission combination provided solid low-end acceleration and satisfactory highway performance. The Sentra's steering was well-weighted, and cornering was sharp for a non-performance car. The suspension handled most road bumps well but struggled with harsher conditions.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered comfort with dual-zone automatic climate control, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear air conditioning vents. The panoramic glass sunroof added natural light to the interior. However, the low-slung design made entry and exit more challenging. The front seats were comfortable, and the SynTex synthetic leather was convincing. Rear passengers had ample room, but hard plastic front seatback panels could be a liability if the front seats were reclined too much.

The K5's controls were logically laid out, blending style with utility. Storage space was generous, with a roomy bin under the center armrest, a dedicated smartphone charging slot, and integrated trays in the door panel armrests. The K5 had a 16 cubic-foot trunk, expandable by lowering the 60/40-split folding back seat. However, there was no handle on the inside of the trunk lid for closing it.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra provided 14.3 cubic feet of trunk space, better than many small sedans but less than the Kia Forte's 15.3 cubic feet. The Sentra's trunk space could be expanded with the standard 60/40 split-fold rear bench, though the ledge created by the bench could make sliding larger items more difficult. The trunk could be remotely opened via the key fob or a button on the dash. The Sentra had spacious seating in both rows, with comfortable front seats and solid legroom in the rear. The front row featured large in-door cargo trays and bottle holders, while the center console had plenty of cupholders and trays.

The 2022 Kia K5 offered two infotainment systems. The LX and LXS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The GT-Line trim and above had a 10.25-inch touchscreen but required a cable for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screen also included satellite radio, Kia Connect subscription services, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a navigation system, and Sounds of Nature ambient noise tracks. A wireless smartphone charger was standard on most trims, and the Premium package added a 12-speaker Bose audio system and Active Sound Design technology. The K5's voice recognition technology was poor, making Apple CarPlay or Android Auto preferable.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a USB port, and Bluetooth connectivity. The SV and SR trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen. Both screen sizes had easy-to-navigate menus, conventional hard buttons, and volume and tuning dials. However, the graphics needed updating, and the lack of wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was a drawback compared to competitors like the Honda Civic.

The 2022 Kia K5 excelled in driver assistance systems, bundled within the Kia Drive Wise collection. The test car included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-following assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, a rear-seat reminder system, and Safe Exit Assist. The EX Premium package added cyclist detection, Junction Turning Assist, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist, front and rear parking sensors, automatic rear braking, a surround-view monitoring system, and power rear child locks.

The K5 achieved the highest safety ratings from the IIHS (Top Safety Pick+) and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Nissan Sentra came with standard driver-assistance features, including forward and reverse automatic emergency braking, forward collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, driver drowsiness monitoring, lane-departure warning, and blind spot monitoring. The test model also had a surround-view parking monitor and adaptive cruise control. The adaptive cruise control had three distance settings, but braking was abrupt when reaching the set distance.

The Sentra earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and the highest rating of "Good" from the IIHS in crash testing. The IIHS also rated the Sentra's driver-assistance features as "Superior," but the headlights received lower ratings, resulting in a "Top Safety Pick" award.