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2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300

2021 Kia K5 vs 2021 Mercedes-Benz C 300

In a car market increasingly dominated by SUVs, there are still a few high-end sedans which offer traditional driving appeal mixed with genuine comfort. The Kia K5 is one such standout vehicle, making its Canadian debut in 2021 and winning plenty of praise for its combination of features and performance. Will the new Kia K5 earn a place at the head of the sedan table? To find out, we've put it up against one of its most established competitors, the Mercedes-Benz C 300, and here's the result.

 

Under the Hood

 

At the base level, the K5 is equipped with a 1.6L turbo engine making a healthy 180 horsepower and 195lb-ft of torque, passed through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either front-wheel or all-wheel drive. This configuration is ideal for daily urban driving, offering a combination of zippy responsiveness and lean fuel consumption.

 

The Mercedes has a much more powerful engine as standard, with a 2.0L turbo making 255 horsepower and 273lb-ft of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. However, if you need raw power for your sedan, the K5 is available in an option to beat the Mercedes, with an upgraded 2.5L turbo mill pushing out 290 hp and 311lb-ft.

 

Both cars offer great performance, but the K5's choice of two engines makes it the more flexible and versatile model, able to slot into city driving duties or highway cruising with equal ease.

 

Fuel Economy

 

The Kia has a strong advantage when it comes to fuel economy, with the standard model earning great figures of 8.1L / 100km for urban driving and a miserly 6.1L / 100km on the highway. In contrast, the Mercedes-Benz C 300's ratings of 9.8L / 100km in the city and 7.1L / 100km on the highway mean you'll be paying plenty more at the filling station as well as at the dealership lot.

 

Infotainment

 

As standard, the K5 is fitted with an 8" infotainment touchscreen, compared to the 7" model fitted to the Mercedes C 300. However, upgrade options mean that both the K5 and the C 300 can benefit from a 10.25" screen, although crucially the Kia comes in at a much lower price even with the upgrade. Additionally, the K5 boasts a customisable 12.3" digital gauge cluster to top off the high-end interior feel.

 

Cargo Capacity

 

For a sedan, the Kia K5 has a surprisingly generous amount of cargo capacity, with 453L available in the spacious trunk. In comparison, the C 300 offers a much less roomy 357L of stowage in the rear.

 

Safety Systems

 

As standard, the 2021 Kia K5 is equipped with a suite of active safety systems to rival any car on the market, with a strong highlight being the forward collision warning system that also scans intersections for sideways traffic. What's more, the K5 includes lane departure warnings and keep assist as standard, which are only available as a paid upgrade on the Mercedes.

 

Test Drive the 2021 Kia K5 in Calgary

 

Ready for more? Visit our Kia dealership in Calgary to test drive the 2021 Kia K5, and see just how exciting and luxurious the best of today's sedans can be.

Categories: Kia K5, Mid-sized sedans, Mercedes-Benz C 300