Deciding between a sedan and a crossover SUV has become increasingly challenging. Small SUVs have the “do-it-all” capability, but some sedans have become more compelling too.
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If you’re interested in the 2021 Toyota RAV4, you might want to also check out the 2021 Kia K5, which can do a few things better. How is that possible?
In this article, we compare the two vehicles to show you why the 2021 Kia K5 is better than the 2021 RAV4.
Driving the 2021 RAV4 Vs. 2021 Kia K5
Toyota’s RAV4 has been America’s best-selling crossover for the last few years. The RAV4’s mass appeal reflects its comfortable ride quality and distinct trim levels. Oppositely, Kia is looking to make a bigger name for itself with the all-new K5, which effectively replaces the Optima. The K5 drives smoothly and has good power.
The K5 comes with a turbocharged, 180-hp 1.6-litre four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission. This Kia is also standard with front-wheel drive, but what’s cool is that the base engine is available with all-wheel-drive. For more power, there’s the turbocharged 290-hp, 2.5-litre four-cylinder linked to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic. The optional engine isn’t available with AWD, though.
With the RAV4, you get a 203-hp 2.5-litre four-cylinder and an eight-speed auto. This Toyota is a pleasant ride with good fuel economy, especially the hybridized version. However, the RAV4 engine gets loud, and it’s not the smoothest option in the class.
Even Car and Driver prefers the K5 over the RAV4. The team tested the 2021 RAV4 Hybrid XSE and the K5 GT-Line AWD and appreciated both models’ amenities. Nonetheless, they favoured the K5 because of its lighter feel and quicker acceleration.
Cabin Space of the 2021 Kia K5 Vs. 2021 RAV4
The RAV4 and the K5 are both five-seaters. An advantage the RAV4 has is more interior space; the K5’s headroom isn’t that generous. Plus, the RAV4 offers more cargo room, naturally. But Car and Driver said that hauling a kid’s bike in either model’s trunk is annoying.
Both vehicles come with cloth upholstery and have plenty of upscale amenities, including synthetic leather. However, Car and Driver felt that Kia’s SynTex material imitated genuine leather better than Toyota’s SofTex upholstery. The SofTex upholstery looks nice enough and is durable, but it’s not the most welcoming.
When it comes to tech, the RAV4 and the K5 offer similar features. Both come standard with active safety equipment, including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning. The two also have modern infotainment systems with touchscreen displays, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. You get a few more connections with the RAV4, such as Amazon Alexa and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
