Kia K5 vs Acura TLX

The 2024 Kia K5 always caught attention wherever it went. While photographing the K5 GT-Line in vibrant Passion Red Tint Coat on a popular back road, cyclists couldn’t help but comment on its striking appearance. Though some confusion lingered around its identity—often mistaken for a new model—the K5 had been part of Kia’s lineup since 2021, replacing the discontinued Optima. Despite a lack of broad recognition among Americans, the K5 managed to draw stares during a week-long test drive through Southern California.

The GT-Line trim sat between the base LXS and the more upscale EX, making it a budget-friendly option for those desiring a sporty sedan look. Priced between $25,390 and $31,790 with an additional $1,125 destination charge, the tested model included extras such as a premium paint job, a panoramic sunroof, and floor mats, bringing the as-tested price to $30,530.

While the Kia K5’s interior featured some inexpensive-looking plastic, the overall design and detailing were commendable. Metal-trimmed air vents and a refined transmission shifter added a touch of class to the cabin. However, the more economical materials didn’t go unnoticed, affecting the overall sensory experience.

In comparison, the 2024 Acura TLX, subtly refreshed since its major redesign in 2021, showcased an elegant frameless grille and unobtrusive character lines. Its Jewel Eye LED headlights and pronounced air intakes on the fascia lent the sedan a sophisticated appearance. The 2024 Type S model stood out with Berlina black split-spoke rims and Pirelli Cinturato P7 all-season tires. The TLX’s array of packages—from Technology to A-Spec and Type S—added layers of options for buyers.

Inside, the TLX’s luxurious design, featuring leather upholstery and heated front seats standard across all trims, aimed for a competitive luxury sedan feel. A pair of 12.3-inch displays delivered crisp and responsive visuals, although the centerstack’s design caused some confusion with its numerous physical buttons. Red leather upholstery added a sporty touch to the Type S, emphasizing its performance-focused design.

The 2024 Kia K5 presented a mixed bag of powertrains. Most K5 versions came equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 195 pound-feet of torque from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive was standard, but all-wheel-drive was an option for the GT-Line trim.

The K5 GT model upgraded to a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 290 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 311 pound-feet of torque from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. This version relied on an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and remained front-wheel-drive only. Driving modes included Smart, Normal, Sport, and Custom, with an additional Sport+ mode exclusive to the K5 GT.

The GT-Line’s turbocharged engine offered a satisfying amount of torque starting at just 1,500 rpm, providing a smooth and engaging drive. However, higher up in the rev range, passing power diminished. The GT-Line’s fuel economy was officially rated at 31 mpg in combined driving with FWD, but real-world tests showed a lower average of 24.5 mpg during 300 miles of varied driving. The GT sported a more performance-focused setup with enhanced steering, bigger brakes, and a sport-tuned suspension.

Conversely, the 2024 Acura TLX catered to two broad performance spectrums. Most TLX models housed a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 272 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, managed by a 10-speed automatic transmission. The TLX Technology relied on a front-wheel-drive layout, while A-Spec came standard with Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). This advanced AWD system could direct 70% of the engine’s power to the rear axle, with the ability to transfer all that power to individual rear wheels for optimized on-road performance.

At the pinnacle of performance, the TLX Type S featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine generating 355 horsepower and 354-pound-feet of torque. This engine delivered rapid acceleration, propelling the Type S from zero to 60 mph in approximately five seconds. Multiple driving modes in the TLX each translated remarkably well in practice, enhancing the driving experience with adaptive dampers and robust brakes underpinned by red Brembo calipers.

The 2024 Kia K5 offered a well-thought-out interior with a notable emphasis on comfort and utility. Despite the absence of Kia’s digital instrumentation, the analog gauges were highly legible. The GT-Line trim included SynTex artificial leather and cloth seat inserts, though the material could prove sticky in certain outfits. The driver’s seat featured 10-way power adjustment, while all models allowed manual front passenger seat height adjustability—an often overlooked feature in other cars.

Dual-zone automatic climate control and heated front seats were generally standard beyond the base LXS, along with the option for a leather-wrapped heated steering wheel and ventilated front seats. The panoramic sunroof was a worthwhile addition, enhancing the feel of the cabin despite eating a bit into the rear headspace. Kia’s effective soundproofing efforts bore fruit, making the K5 particularly quiet inside.

On the flip side, the 2024 Acura TLX’s dimensions made it a bit of an enigma in terms of interior space. With an overall length similar to midsize luxury sedans like the Audi A6 or BMW 5 Series, the TLX’s 113-inch wheelbase aligned more closely with compact breeds such as the BMW 3 Series. Consequently, while the front seats afforded decent space, the rear seating area lagged with merely 34.9 inches of legroom.

The trunk space in the TLX measured 13.5 cubic feet, ample by compact sedan standards but less impressive for those comparing it to midsize competitors. However, front-seat drivers enjoyed accessible cup holders and strong seating ergonomy, somewhat balancing the overall interior spatial trade-offs.

For the 2024 Kia K5, technology varied with trim levels. The base LXS had an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, whereas other trims boasted a 10.25-inch touchscreen. It was intriguing—but arguably inconvenient—that wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto was standard in the lesser trims while higher trims required wired connections. Both infotainment setups supported Bluetooth for multiple devices, with the larger screen adding navigation, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect services.

Kia Connect offered beneficial services like remote start, stolen vehicle recovery, and teen driver notifications, making it a useful suite for connected technology. Despite these advanced features, the test car’s voice recognition technology lagged behind tech giants like Siri or Google Assistant, highlighting a gap in user experience.

In the 2024 Acura TLX, the tech package was both a high and low. All models received an ELS Studio premium audio system, upgraded to a stellar 17-speaker setup in A-Spec and Type S trims. Standard features included Bluetooth, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a wireless charging pad, and Amazon Alexa built-in functionality.

Additionally, the new dual 12.3-inch displays made for high-definition visuals and fast response. However, the center display operated with Acura’s True Touchpad Interface (TTI), which had a steep learning curve. Its one-to-one mapping made it unique yet overengineered, and the situation worsened with phone projections, requiring multiple swipes to achieve desired actions, which felt cumbersome and at times unsafe.

Safety was a shared strong suit for both vehicles. Every 2024 Kia K5 came equipped with Kia Drive Wise, encompassing features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a driver monitoring system. Advanced options included cyclist detection, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control with curve speed control. Kia’s Highway Driving Assist (HDA) showcased robust semi-autonomous driving capabilities, albeit with minor quirks. The K5 scored high marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), though it struggled with updated IIHS tests, scoring poorly in moderate overlap frontal and side-impact evaluations.

Acura’s 2024 TLX bolstered safety credentials with the AcuraWatch suite, providing systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, rear cross-traffic monitoring, and upgraded blind-spot monitoring. Notably, NHTSA awarded the TLX five out of five stars, and while the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status wasn’t confirmed for 2024, the TLX maintained top scores in all prior tests.