2021 Toyota Camry AWD Vs 2021 Kia K5 AWD

Introduction

One of the few compact sedans offers all-wheel-drive, and Kia, as well as Toyota, are the flagbearer. This development in the drivetrain has fulfilled the requirements of those who demand performance and also has kept them latched to the ground keeping them safe. Today, this has been a very common feature and is generally offered as an option on many passenger vehicles.

Even many affordable midsize cars have been equipped with the AWD, a good contrast can be seen between two very comparable cars of the 2021 Kia K5 and the 2021 Toyota Camry. These sedans offer a lot for the price. Besides, there are a few perks that come along like a good bunch of standard safety features, strong looks, and great interiors.

Though there are a lot of features common within these two cars, one that makes them different is the AWD, where on one hand Kia welcomes only two models of the K5 with AWD and on the other hand, the Japanese carmaker of Toyota offers it as an option throughout the Camry lineup. Let’s compare both of these modern sedans for their worthiness in every aspect of being a car.

Exteriors: 2021 Toyota Camry Vs 2021 Kia K5

Starting with the first thing seen by any human is a car’s shape and the 2021 Kia K5 has got the better part of it. From the front, the Korean model looks absolutely stunning with aggressively styled headlights and taillights that are stretched across its trunk lid. Moreover, there are many character lines and curves across the body while a sloping roof also makes it sleek.

The new Camry also has good looks. Its headlights are quite simple but the front bumper and hood are shaped in such a way that they appear to slope down and concentrate at one point midway between the bumper and front grille. The rear is designed to be sleeker and the taillight layout makes it look very premium. There are not as many curves on the Japanese budget sedan but a slight touch on the door sills is present.

While both of these cars look very modern and attractive, the K5’s design is smartly put together whereas the Camry feels like it is overly done, mostly on the front fascia.

Engine and powertrain: 2021 Toyota Camry Vs 2021 Kia K5

While K5 is a new addition to the Kia family, it gets equipped with a 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that is paired to an 8-speed automatic. This couple produces a tiny power of 180 HP and only 195 lb-ft of torque. Since it is the freshman year for this model, only two of its trims are available with the AWD.

Meanwhile, the Camry is powered by a 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that is coupled to an 8-speed automatic transmission. This duo generates the best of power but the least torque when compared to its Korean rival, it is 202 HP and 183 lb-ft that is measured at the output. Unlike its Korean rival, Toyota offers AWD on every trim that is produced.

The advantage here goes to the Camry as it has a demanding power and to top it up, AWD is offered on all of its trims.

Interiors and comfort: 2021 Toyota Camry Vs 2021 Kia K5

Besides its sensible and modern dashboard styling, the Kia K5 comes with a standard dual-zone automatic air-conditioning and front height-adjusting seat belts. Most of its trims are equipped with 10-way power seats with a good-quality fabric trim whereas a SynTec material also comes into play on the higher-end trims. Some features that the Korean automobile displays all over its lineup are a heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, rear AC vents, optional wireless charging, and a few more. Additionally, there is a short-range of accent trims that are standard depending on the trims.

Comparing it with the Toyota’s Camry which has a rather curvy and a little confusing approach to its dashboard, comes with an 8-way power driver’s seat wrapped in leather for the higher trims whereas the budget trims either get fabric or SofTex-trimmed seats. Heated seats and steering wheel are an option even on lower trims but standard from mid-level. A leather-wrapped steering wheel is standard throughout the lineup except for the base trim. Unlike Kia, Camry comes with a rear center armrest on all of its trims, and an optional auto-dimming rearview mirror, wireless charging, and ambient interior lighting are available on lower trims and standard on higher ones.

While Kia's K5 has better cabin quality and slightly more comfort, the Camry offers more standard and optional convenience features that the K5 is unavailable with.

Infotainment and Interior Technology: 2021 Toyota Camry Vs 2021 Kia K5

The K5 is equipped with an 8-inch touchscreen as standard which offers great visibility and graphics, however, a huge 10.25-inch screen is also available as an option on the higher trims. Advanced connectivity features like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on all the trims whereas SiriusXM and voice-activated navigation are optional. Bluetooth audio streaming, USB and AUX ports are present in different amounts depending upon the trim and a 6-speaker audio system is standard on all trims while an optional 12-speaker system is also available.

On the other hand, the base trims on the 2021 Camry come with a 7-inch touchscreen display which can also be upgraded to a 9-inch screen. The latter is standard on higher trims but both of them display clear information. Even the base trim of the Camry comes equipped with advanced multimedia apps like SiriusXM, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa which becomes the voice recognition feature in this Japan-based sedan. With a variety of USB ports, AUX inputs and Bluetooth audio streaming is standard on all trims. A standard 6-speaker system comes with the basic trim whereas the higher trims get an optional JBL premium audio system along with dynamic navigation.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features: 2021 Toyota Camry Vs 2021 Kia K5

Toyota Safety Sense is a collection of driver-assistance technology that includes features like collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure assist with steering assist, lane tracing assist, automatic high-beams, road sign assist, and a lot more that are standard on all of its trims. Other than these, the Camry is also designed to have front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones, a collapsible steering column, hill start assist, and front whiplash-injury lessening as the passive safety features.

Besides, driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keep and follow assist, high beam assist are some of the many standard active safety equipment whereas passive safety like rear-occupant assist, safe exit assist, hill start control, tire-pressure monitoring system, etc.

Pricing: 2021 Toyota Camry Vs 2021 Kia K5

While the 2021 Kia K5 has a simple lineup, there are 5 trims offered by Kia. The base trim is called LX and starts from $23,590, the immediate trim is the LXS that starts from $24,590. Both of these trims do not have much difference and are considered to be the base trims. The mid-level trims of GT-Line and EX start from $25,490 and $28,090, both of them have a good difference as there are more available features on the EX trim and only these two trims are offered with an AWD. The top-of-the-chain GT trim starts from $30,590 and comes with the best of everything that the Korean carmaker can offer at this price point.

Toyota, on the other hand, has been for a good time within this segment and knows the taste of its customers. Hence, there are a lot of configurations that can be shortened to 5 major trims that are offered on the 2021 Camry, and all of them with an optional AWD. Starting with the base trims, the LE and SE start from $24,970 and $26,485 respectively equipped with all the necessary features. For a couple of years now, the SE has a special Nightshade edition that covers all the exteriors in black for a dark look and starts from $27,185. The mid-level trims of XLE and XSE start from $29,470 and $30,420 each with a lot of updated equipment which is standard. Alas, the TRD is the top-trim offered in the Camry that brings an aggressive look to the sedan while keeping all of its high-tech features and equipment.

Final Verdict

Though the K5 is debuting this year, Kia offers a great deal for such a price point and takes the fight directly to some mainstream competitors, like the Toyota Camry. However, besides better features and equipment, the Japanese automaker has a better edge and possession over the market. This competition is as close as it could get. Simply personifying the situation, it is nothing less than a Wimbledon match where a young and capable competitor has an eye for the win against a popular mid-aged veteran and it only gets more interesting with time.