Compare the2022 Volkswagen PassatVS 2022 Kia K5

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Environmental Friendliness
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Recommendations

Safety

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The Passat has a standard Automatic Post-Collision Braking System, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The K5 doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Passat has a standard blind spot warning system that uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them and moves the vehicle back into its lane. Only the K5 LXS/GT-Line/EX/GT offers a blind spot warning system.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Passat has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Only the K5 LXS/GT-Line/EX/GT has a rear cross-path warning system.

Both the Passat and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras and available rear parking sensors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Kia K5:

	Passat	K5
	Passenger
STARS	4 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	41%	50%

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Volkswagen Passat is safer than the Kia K5:

	Passat	K5
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1 inches
Abdominal Force	136 G’s	190 G’s
Hip Force	247 lbs.	264 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
Spine Acceleration	61 G’s	75 G’s
Hip Force	627 lbs.	687 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Warranty

The Passat’s corrosion warranty is 2 years longer than the K5’s (7/100,000 vs. 5/100,000).

Volkswagen pays for scheduled maintenance on the Passat for 2 years and 20,000 miles. Volkswagen will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K5.

Reliability

The Volkswagen Passat’s engine uses a cast iron block for durability, while the K5’s engines use an aluminum block. Aluminum engine blocks are much more prone to warp and crack at high temperatures than cast iron.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Passat has a 140-amp alternator. The K5’s standard 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

Engine

The Passat’s 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 lbs.-ft. more torque (206 vs. 195) than the K5 1.6T’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder.

Fuel Economy and Range

On the EPA test cycle the Passat gets better mileage than the K5:

			MPG
Passat
	FWD	2.0 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/36 hwy
K5
	FWD	2.5 turbo 4-cyl.	24 city/32 hwy
	AWD	1.6 turbo 4-cyl.	25 city/33 hwy

The Passat has 3.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the K5 LX’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 14.8 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The Passat has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the K5 LXS/GT Line/EX/GT’s standard fuel tank (18.5 vs. 15.8 gallons).

Environmental Friendliness

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Volkswagen Passat higher (7 out of 10) than the Kia K5 (5). This means the Passat produces up to 8 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the K5 every 15,000 miles.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Passat’s standard front brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

	Passat	K5
Front Rotors	12.3 inches	12 inches

The Passat stops much shorter than the K5:

	Passat	K5
70 to 0 MPH	169 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	119 feet	127 feet	Motor Trend

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Passat has larger tires than the K5 (235/45R18 vs. 205/65R16).

The Passat’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 45 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the K5 LX/LXS’ standard 65 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Passat has standard 18-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LX/LXS.

Passenger Space

The Passat has 3.9 inches more rear legroom and .9 inches more rear shoulder room than the K5.

Cargo Capacity

The Passat’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The K5 LX doesn’t offer folding rear seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the Passat. The K5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Ergonomics

The Passat’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The K5’s standard passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Passat the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can also lower the windows the same way. The driver of the K5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Passat’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The K5’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Heated windshield washer nozzles are standard on the Passat to prevent washer fluid and nozzles from freezing and help continue to keep the windshield clear in sub-freezing temperatures. The K5 doesn’t offer heated windshield washer nozzles.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the Passat R-Line/Limited has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The K5 doesn’t offer cornering lights. The Passat R-Line/Limited also has standard adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

The Passat has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the K5 GT-Line AWD/EX/GT. The Passat Limited also has standard heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the K5.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Volkswagen Passat and the Kia K5, based on reliability, safety and performance.