Kia K5 vs Mazda MAZDA3

Although prices can rise sharply, the Mazda3 justifies its price tag with excellent driving dynamics and a design that has aged with grace.

Verdict: The 2024 Mazda3 delivers luxurious levels of styling and performance despite coming from an automaker that is often cross-shopped against mass-market rivals. Consider this car an entry-level Audi rather than a Toyota competitor.

If you can overlook the real-world fuel economy and unimpressive crash-test ratings, then a 2024 Kia K5 is a steal of an automobile. (Don’t worry, it has an engine immobilizer system to prevent theft.) In Canada, it comes in LX, EX, GT-Line, and GT trim levels. Turbocharging is standard, and all-wheel drive is standard in Canada on every trim except the performance-oriented GT. The latter is a rare offering in this segment, and south of luxury brands it’s one matched only by the Nissan Altima.

Verdict: It’s a shame Kia doesn’t offer the K5 with a hybrid powertrain, and its performance in new, tougher-to-pass crash tests is worrisome. But there is no doubt the 2024 Kia K5 is a stylish, comfortable, enjoyable, and technologically advanced midsize car. And the price is undeniably nice.