Compared: 2022 Hyundai Sonata vs. 2022 Kia K5
Of these two mid-size sedans, the Hyundai offers more choice, but the Kia has more style.
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Born of the same parent company, the 2022 Hyundai Sonata and 2022 Kia K5 are essentially fraternal twins. Not only do they ride on the same platform, but these two mid-size sedans share some engines and line up quite closely in price. The big differentiators, then, are their designs and powertrain offerings.
Hyundai
Hyundai Sonata vs Kia K5: Price
The entry Sonata falls a little above $25,000, and base K5, a little below. The Hyundai lineup has more powertrain options: The two lowest trim levels of the Sonata use a 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder, while all but the top K5 come with a 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four. Hyundai puts the latter engine in the Sonata’s SEL Plus and Limited trims, priced at $32,345 and $35,295, respectively, and it offers a 192-hp hybrid model for $28,245.
Kia
And at the top of each lineup, there’s a 290-hp turbo 2.5-liter. You’ll find it in the Sonata’s sporty N Line models, starting at $34,645, as well as in the K5 GT, opening at $32,215.
While the Hyundai is front-drive only, the Kia offers all-wheel drive on the mid-level LXS and GT-Line, but you’ll have to add between $1,600 and $1,800 to the bottom line.
Hyundai
Hyundai Sonata vs Kia K5: Features
The K5 has an aggressive, sporty look with distinctive character lines along the side and a zigzag light signature up front. The Sonata, meanwhile, looks more conservative with a larger grille and a smoother body.
As for tech, the two are largely the same, except that the Sonata has an available 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, and the K5 does not. That screen offers customization options for the gauges as well as a cool feature where, when you engage your turn signal, a digital image of your blind spot shows up in the cluster.
Kia
One quirk both vehicles share: You get wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto when you stick with the base 8.0-inch infotainment screen, but as soon as you upgrade to the 10.3-inch unit, you have to hook up a cable to use the phone-mirroring software.
Hyundai
Hyundai Sonata vs Kia K5: Fuel Economy
Of the gas-only models, the base K5, with the turbocharged 1.6-liter, has the best fuel economy of the bunch. It sees up to 29 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway. Adding all-wheel drive brings those numbers down to 25 and 33, respectively. And the GT model, with the more powerful turbo engine, returns 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway.
Kia
The hybridized Sonata takes fuel-economy honors, though, boasting up to 50 mpg in the city and 54 mpg on the highway. Beneath that, models with the naturally aspirated 2.5-liter perform best, seeing up to 28 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. The turbocharged Sonatas don’t do as well as the Kias: Those with the 1.6-liter return 27 and 37 mpg, respectively, while those with the 2.5-liter see 23 and 33.
