Compare the2023 BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Kia K5

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The K5 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has a standard PostCrash iBrake, 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.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the K5 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available all wheel drive.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s corrosion warranty is 7 years and unlimited miles longer than the K5’s (12/unlimited vs. 5/100,000).

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 2 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Kia doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the K5.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 2 Series Gran Coupe first among small premium cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The K5 was rated second in its category.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Kia vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 3 places higher in reliability than Kia.

The 228i Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 48 more horsepower (228 vs. 180) and 63 lbs.-ft. more torque (258 vs. 195) than the K5 1.6T’s standard 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder. The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder produces 11 more horsepower (301 vs. 290) and 20 lbs.-ft. more torque (331 vs. 311) than the K5 GT 2.5T’s standard 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder.

As tested in Consumer Reports the 228i Gran Coupe is faster than the K5 1.6T 1.6 turbo 4-cylinder:

As tested in Motor Trend the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is faster than the K5 GT 2.5T 2.5 turbo 4-cylinder:

On the EPA test cycle the 228i FWD gets better fuel mileage than the K5 GT (24 city/34 hwy vs. 24 city/32 hwy).

Regenerative brakes improve the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The K5 doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

Regardless of its engine, the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. Kia only offers an automatic engine start/stop system on the K5 LX.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The K5 doesn’t offer launch control.

For better stopping power the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s brake rotors are larger than those on the K5:

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the K5 are solid, not vented.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe stops much shorter than the K5:

For better traction, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard tires than the K5 (225/45R17 vs. 205/65R16).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’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 LXS’ standard 65 series tires. The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional tires have a lower 35 series profile than the K5 GT’s 40 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard 17-inch wheels. Smaller 16-inch wheels are standard on the K5 LXS.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 2 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The K5 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads. The K5’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe handles at .91 G’s, while the K5 EX pulls only .83 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.6 seconds quicker than the K5 EX (25.8 seconds @ .71 average G’s vs. 27.4 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 2.6 inches shorter than the K5, making the 2 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The K5 doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Kia. J.D. Power ranks BMW 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 32% lower rating, Kia is ranked 26th.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The K5 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’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 2 Series Gran Coupe the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the K5 can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’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.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the 2 Series Gran Coupe offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The K5 doesn’t offer cornering lights.

When the 2 Series Gran Coupe is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The K5’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The K5 offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and the K5 offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The K5 doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe’s optional Parking Assistant can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The K5 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe and the Kia K5, based on reliability, safety and performance.