When it comes to the tireless pursuit to find the ideal automobile, uncovering the best and being satisfied with the choice we’ve made is the goal. For many consumers and concerned shoppers, the most sought-after attributes tend to be matters of practicality, performance, fuel efficiency, price, and above all, safety. With a new crop of makes and models arriving on a yearly basis, looking through every offering can be a time-consuming process, not to mention an arduous task. So, to help, we are narrowing down the search to the 2022 Honda Accord vs 2022 Kia K5.
Two of the biggest names in the automotive industry are Honda and Kia. Both are immensely popular among consumers. Honda, for their impressive track record that’s remained virtually unblemished from the very beginning, and Kia for their impressive warranty coverage and lower than average costs. Both have competitive offerings available, and today, it’s the 2022 Honda Accord going head-to-head with the 2022 Kia K5 in a battle for sedan supremacy.
Cost-Effectiveness
The long-standing reputation of the Honda Accord as a practical vehicle for consumers Is just that; long. First appearing in 1976, the evolution of the vehicle has been one that’s adapted to changes in both style and the needs of consumers. The 2022 model lineup is no exception, and despite a worldwide microchip shortage and unpredictable gas prices, Honda is still offering more bang for your buck. The starting MSRP for a 2022 Honda Accord is $26,120, which is considered slightly lower than the average cost for a medium-sized sedan. While this MSRP is higher than competitors such as Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai, we’ll soon look at the multiple advantages that come with that price tag.
The Kia K5 might not have the same lineage as the Accord, as it’s still a relatively new vehicle, first appearing in 2000. Starting at $23,790 and underbidding several models on the market, the Kia is only undercut cost-wise by the most recent edition of the Subaru Legacy. It’s easy to look at a lower price and think in terms of accessibility and being more affordable. However, the old expression “you get what you pay for” should always be taken into consideration when comparing any vehicles. There’s more than MSRP when it comes to being cost-effective.
To this end, let us look at one of the most important factors that apply directly to a vehicle being practical and cost-effective, fuel efficiency. When it comes to going the maximum distance, Honda defeats Kia soundly with an impressive one-two punch. This combination refers to the fuel economy of the base engine of the Accord and the available Hybrid model. The base Accord engine gets 30 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway, while the hybrid option gets 48 MPG in the city and 47 MPG on the highway. While the price of gas is never a consistent number, the combined fuel economy of both engines puts many rivals to shame.
The Kia K5 is not a gas guzzler by any means and offers consumers the ability to achieve an average of 29 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. The difference might be only a slight difference, but in a day and age where getting every possible mile is important, that small difference simply reinforces the Accord offering more for a price that’s reasonable. Meanwhile, the optional hybrid version of the Accord blows the K5 out of the water.
Safety Made Accessible
More than a fancy stereo system or an intimidating design, one of the most important aspects of a practical vehicle is safety. Across several manufacturers, many features and driver assistance programs are offered. Many of these have grown closer in similarity, so it no longer becomes a question of what’s offered but how accessible they’re made to the consumers who purchase the product. When it comes to being vehicles that are safe, the Honda Accord and Kia K5 have stellar reputations, and both were awarded a 5-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA. These government-run safety tests are completely objective in their findings and are in place to protect consumers.
When it comes to the offers from Kia and Honda, there are some differences that are worth mentioning and expanding upon. For the 2022 Honda Accord, the name of the game when it comes to safety is standard. We should take a moment to explain that we don’t mean standard in the sense that the features meet normal expectation; we mean that the number of features that the Accord features on even its introductory trim are plentiful. Standard across all trim levels is Honda’s Sensing safety suite. Features such as Adaptive Cruise Control with Low-Speed Follow, Collision Mitigation Braking System, Road Departure Mitigation System, Lane Keeping Assist System, and Traffic Sign Recognition are more than just impressive. They reinforce the dedication that Honda possesses in terms of providing their customers with the very best.
Compared to the plentiful amount of safety features on the Accord, the Kia K5 seems stripped down to the bare minimum. This is nowhere more evident than the amount of features the manufacturer equips their introductory trim with. While Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist and Lane Keeping Assist come standard, many features such as adaptive cruise control are only available on more expensive trim levels. While the safety features increase the higher up you go, an observation that can’t be ignored is that they’re treated more akin to luxury items and not offerings that are important to the average consumer.
Safety should never come with a price tag. While the Kia K5 scored high in various tests, the inaccessibility to the features that the Honda Accord makes standard is just another reason why Honda is the better option for the average driver.
The Honda Accord Simply Outdoes the Kia K5
We’ve chosen not to distract you with an array of bells and whistles and focus on luxury items and the like. Instead, we’ve chosen to place our attention on the practical matters that have a direct effect on the quality of life for the average consumer. The past few years have been nothing short of incredible regarding the unexpected events involving politics, a pandemic, and the always tumultuous economy. While the uncertainties remain and show no sign of slowing down, consistency has always been provided by Honda.
The phrase “more for your money” has never been more appropriate when comparing the 2022 Honda Accord to the 2022 Kia K5. While Kia has put a considerable amount of focus on undercutting the competition, their lack of standard safety features and slightly above-average fuel economy makes for a vehicle that might be cheaper, but also one that keeps the average consumer from having a practical vehicle.
Honda, on the other hand, may cost a little more upfront, but you are paying that little bit extra for the assurance that you are getting a well-built car that will stand the test of time and is packed with great features. Offering consumers the chance to not only save money on fuel costs but have the highest reassurance of safety while doing so speaks volumes regarding the company’s willingness to offer practicality at an affordable price.
