2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Honda Accord
The mid-size sedan world was shaken at the beginning of the 2021 model year when the Kia K5 arrived. Replacing the Optima, the K5 is a stylish, energetic mid-size sedan with enough attitude to remind people why they loved sedans before the current obsession with crossovers. The Honda Accord is sort of the old man on the block. It’s a reliable, well-known sedan with a good reputation that has endured the test of time.
That makes these two sedans opposites. The K5 prioritizes fun and adventure, while the Accord promises dependable performance and refinement. But picking between them shouldn’t be based on looks and reputation alone. The chart below compares these two cars using the 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line and the 2021 Honda Accord LX as examples since they have similar prices and turbocharged engines of nearly the same size. Perhaps a side-by-side comparison like this will make it easier to decide between them.
2021 Kia K5 GT-Line |
Versus |
2021 Honda Accord LX |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-Cylinder Turbo | Engine | 1.5L 4-Cylinder Turbo |
| 195 lb-ft of Torque | Engine Torque | 192 lb-ft of Torque |
| 8-Speed Shiftable Automatic | Transmission | Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic (CVT) |
| 5 Year Basic/10 Year Drivetrain | Vehicle Warranty | 3 Year Basic/10 Year Drivetrain |
Model Comparison
In terms of performance, these two versions of these sedans are quite similar to each other. Mechanically, though, the Kia K5 is likely to be more satisfying for drivers due to its traditional automatic transmission. Many experienced drivers dislike the CVT, so the Accord has that weighing it down. Even if the transmission doesn’t matter too much to you, the K5 has a little more torque on its side. Both of the examples are of rather stripped-down base-level trims, so this will be an accurate comparison if the price is a major concern for you.
Trim Levels of the 2021 Kia K5
- LX
- LXS
- GT-Line
- EX
- GT
