The 2022 Kia K5 VS Toyota Avalon

The Kia K5 and Toyota Avalon don’t even play in the same sandbox, but they can compare them to each other.

The K5 (pictured above) replaced the Optima after the 2020 model year to be the new midsize sedan from Korea. The Avalon continues as one of the few full-size sedans left in the market today. In fact, after 2022, the Avalon will cease to exist. With two cars playing in different parts of the sedan market, it’s interesting to see which one has more of what you’re looking for when you want to take a drive.

Pros and Cons of Each Model

The Kia gives you sharp styling, an affordable price, and good fuel economy. The panoramic sunroof reduces headroom, the GT model is only available as an FWD model, and there isn’t a hybrid version of the K5.

When you look at the Toyota, you’ll find a spacious car with Lexus-like levels of refinement, tons of standard equipment, and a strong V6 engine powering the drive. There is also less headroom than you might expect in the Avalon. This car also has a shrunken lineup with only three trims and no AWD version available.

Where the Kia K5 is coming in and taking over the midsize sedan world, the Toyota Avalon is heading out and enjoying a swan song in the full-size sedan market.

Which Car is More Affordable?

The LX version of the Kia K5 starts at $23,790. Moving to the LXS trim will increase that number by $1,000, while the GT model requires you to spend $31,190.

The starting price for a 2022 Toyota Avalon is $36,275, with the Limited trim coming in at $42,575 and the Touring model asking for another $400.

The more affordable car is easily the K5. You can buy the top trim of the Kia K5, add all the options, and still not spend as much as the base version of the Toyota Avalon.

Where Will You Find More Comfort for the Drive?

Front passengers in the K5 enjoy 46.1 inches of legroom, which is pretty generous. Those relegated to the rear seat will have 35.2 inches, which is a significant difference. The trunk space offered in the Kia is 16 cubic feet.

If you’re sitting in the front of the Avalon, you’ll have 42.1 inches of room for your legs, while rear passengers get to experience 40.3 inches of legroom. This is expansive compared to the K5. The trunk is about the same size with 16.1 cubic feet in this Toyota.

The Toyota sedan is much more comfortable with more legroom, but it’s also a larger car, which makes perfect sense. The surprise here is how close the two trunk areas measure.

What Comes Standard on Each Car?

Kia K5 LX

• 16-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights/daytime running lights
• Heated side mirrors
• Cloth upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Selectable driving modes
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane-keeping assistance
• Automatic high beams
• Rear-occupant alert
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Bluetooth connectivity
• HD radio
• Two USB ports
• Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto

Toyota Avalon XLE

• 17-inch alloy wheels
• LED headlights/taillights
• Acoustic glass
• Keyless entry
• Push-button starting
• Heated front seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• 9-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
• Amazon Alexa
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Satellite radio
• Two USB-A and two USB-C ports
• 8-speaker audio system
• Forward-collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Automatic high beams
• Full-range adaptive cruise control

When such a large amount separates the starting prices, you don’t expect the cars to be similar. The Avalon clearly has a huge advantage over the K5 in this area.

What Are the Powertrains of These Two Sedans?

There are two powertrains for the Kia K5. All trims except the GT use a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine connected to a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain produces 180 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. FWD models return 27 city/37 hwy mpg while AWD versions give you 25 city/33 hwy mpg.

Move to the GT trim, and you’ve got a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine partnering with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. This powertrain brings you 290 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. FWDis the only setup, and it gives you 24 city/32 hwy mpg.

You’ll only have one powertrain to review in the Toyota Avalon. Every model uses the same 3.5-liter V6 engine attached to an eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup is good for 301 horsepower and 267 lb.-ft of torque. All models are FWD, but there is a fuel mileage difference. The XLE trim returns 22 city/32 hwy mpg, while the other two trims give you 22 city/31 hwy mpg.

If you select the GT model of the K5, you’ll have more torque than the Avalon, but the horsepower trophy goes to the Toyota. Fuel mileage is best in the K5, especially with the base powertrain.

Which Car Has the Better Warranty?

Every model of the Kia K5 gives you a five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Beyond that, you’ll have a ten-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

The Toyota Avalon does things the traditional way with a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.

This is another easy one to figure out; the K5 clearly has a much better warranty than the Avalon.

Which Car Should You Drive?

We didn’t talk about driving dynamics or the style of either car, both of which are relatively subjective to each person. If you’re basing your decision on what we’ve offered here, there are two ways to think about things.

If you want to spend less and have the highest trim level you can, the Kia K5 is the right car to buy. The K5 GT gives you a more powerful engine, is packed with features and brings about a much better warranty than what you find in the Avalon.

On the other hand, if you want to have the most features, a seriously comfortable car, and an impressive package on the road, the full-size Toyota Avalon is right for you. The warranty shouldn’t bother you too much; this is Toyota and has a reputation for excellent reliability.