2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD in Wolf Grey (a $445 choice)
2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD
Class: Midsize Automobile
Miles pushed: 215
Gasoline used: 8.8 gallons
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B+ |
| Energy and Efficiency | B- |
| Match and End | B+ |
| Gasoline Financial system | B |
| Worth | A- |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and will not replicate Shopper Information’s impressions of your complete mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | A |
| Tall Man | B- |
| Massive & Tall consolation rankings are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” ranking primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” ranking primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 180-hp 1.6L |
| Engine Sort | Turbo 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | 8-speed automated |
| Drive Wheels | All-wheel drive |
Actual-world gasoline economic system: 24.4 mpg
Driving combine: 60% metropolis, 40% freeway
EPA-estimated gasoline economic system: 26/34/29 (mpg metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common gasoline
Base worth: $29,090 (not together with $965 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check car: Wolf Grey paint ($445); GT-Line AWD Particular Version ($800; consists of GT-Line purple SynTex upholstery, navigation system with 10.25-inch touchscreen and MapCare, Nav Sensible Cruise Management with Curve and Cease & Go functionality, Freeway Driving Help)
Value as examined: $31,300
Extra Kia K5 worth and availability data
Fast Hits
The good: Upscale inside supplies; clear, simple management structure; good greenback worth
The great: Distinctive styling; in depth checklist of accessible know-how options; inside room
The not so good: Journey generally is a bit stiff over sharp bumps
John Biel
Kia has put an finish to Optima-ism, however what is available in its wake ought to nonetheless attraction to automobile patrons who drink from a half-full glass.
The brand new tackle the model’s midsize sedan for 2021 is the K5 (which truly is what the Optima was known as again dwelling in South Korea and different worldwide markets). It’s barely larger than its predecessor with a pared-down however extra highly effective alternative of engines and the provision of all-wheel drive—one thing the Optima by no means had.
Kia’s mainstream midsize sedan is redesigned for 2021, dropping its Optima title in favor of the K5 nameplate that Kia makes use of on this automobile in different international markets. Placing new styling and the provision of all-wheel drive are highlights.
K5 fashions embody the front-wheel-drive LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, plus the all-wheel-drive LXS and GT-Line. Shopper Information examined a GT-Line with AWD, a sport-themed—even when not really sporty—automobile. As quite a few different automakers do with sure autos, Kia offers the GT-Line sure look options from its highest-performance mannequin however reserves the true go-faster {hardware} for the GT. With choices, a check automobile that began at $30,055 together with supply reached $31,300.
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The K5’s inside structure is sporty and dynamic, however not on the expense of ergonomics. All K5s get an “aircraft-style” shift lever, and AWD GT-Traces get a wi-fi charging pad, heated steering wheel, and heated entrance seats.
All-wheel drive comes at a $2100 worth premium for the LXS, but it surely provides $3700 to the GT-Line the place it’s accompanied by the Premium package deal that may be a $1600 stand-alone choice for the front-drive model. Package deal options embody a panoramic sunroof, LED projector headlights, wi-fi gadget charging, a forward-collision-avoidance system that may detect cyclists and obstacles at junctions, adaptive cruise management, LED overhead inside lighting, heated entrance seats and steering wheel, satellite tv for pc radio, and Kia’s UVO hyperlink distant connectivity. The AWD system has an electronically managed switch case and comes with a “Snow” mode for higher all-weather efficiency.
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The K5’s infotainment touchscreen is straightforward to make use of (kudos for the bodily quantity knob) and boasts some enjoyable “eye-candy” graphics–corresponding to radio-station readouts that mimic the look of classic vacuum tubes.
No matter driveline, the GT-Line emulates the GT in as far as it has the bumpers, grille, rear spoiler, and leather-wrapped flat-bottom sport steering wheel of the warmer mannequin. Different GT-Line requirements embody LED fog lights and taillights, 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45R18 Pirelli P-Zero all-season tires, SynTex leatherette-and-cloth upholstery, charcoal headliner, and a 10-way energy driver’s seat.
First Look: 2021 Kia K5
There’s good house for adults in each the entrance and rear seats, although the elective panoramic sunroof’s housing can lower into headroom a bit for extra-tall occupants. The GT-Line Crimson SynTex (artificial leather-based) upholstery provides pizzazz.
The GT-Line engine is the K5’s base 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder paired with an 8-speed automated transmission. The engine makes 180 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque at 1500 rpm. With the early arriving torque; a fast-acting turbo; and easy, efficient transmission the automobile is an lively driver, significantly round city. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 26 mpg within the metropolis, 34 mpg on the freeway, and 29 mpg mixed, however with 80-percent city-type driving in a 72-mile check, this driver topped the mixed quantity at 29.6 mpg.
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There’s 16.0 cubic ft of house within the K5’s trunk… that’s on par with one of the best within the mainstream midsize-sedan class.
K5s are constructed on an all-new “N3” platform that Kia says is stronger and quieter than the structure of the earlier Optima. Beneath is a completely impartial suspension with MacPherson struts in entrance and a number of hyperlinks in again. This setup offers respectable experience high quality more often than not, the exceptions approaching exhausting impacts, the place damping appears a bit overmatched. Although steering really feel is a bit skinny, response to inputs is alert, and dealing with consists and assured total.
All K5s include the “Drivewise” suite of security and driver-assistance applied sciences that features forward-collision alert with pedestrian detection, autonomous emergency braking, driver-attention monitor, “Protected Exit Help” (for rear passengers), headlight high-beam help, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep and lane-following assists, and “Main Automobile Departure Alert.” Different built-in tech options are USB media and charging ports, keyless entry and beginning, and automated dual-zone local weather management. The check automobile was enhanced with the GT-Line AWD Particular Version choice group with purple full-SynTex seats and armrests, navigation, a bigger 10.25-inch touchscreen, “Freeway Driving Help” (for near-autonomous management of steering and acceleration/deceleration), and curve-sensing cruise management that can decrease velocity when the navigation system detects an upcoming bend within the highway.
The check automobile displayed an upscale feel and look inside, with a pleasant degree of soft-touch supplies all through. The seats, with “GT-Line” embroidering and black accents, had been comfy and supportive. Driving controls are massive and legible, and the touchscreen makes for straightforward audio inputs that may be summoned by thumb buttons on the steering wheel. Word, although, that nav-equipped K5s, don’t have the Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone compatibility that these with the bottom infotainment system do. The local weather system has two useful dials for temperature settings above a brief financial institution of buttons for different features.
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The K5’s normal engine is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes 181 horsepower. The road-topping GT mannequin will get a 290-hp 2.5-liter turbo 4. GT-Line fashions include 18-inch alloy wheels rather than the bottom fashions’ 16s.
Entrance-seat passengers gained’t ever really feel crowded, and drivers get pleasure from good imaginative and prescient to simply about any course. They’ll stash private gadgets in an ample glove field, a smaller console field, modest door pockets, and uncovered cup holders within the console. In again, there’s massive legroom and sufficient headroom for folk as much as about 6 ft. It could possibly be doable to get three adults throughout in a pinch. Occupants will discover cup holders within the pull-down heart armrest, smallish rear door pockets, and pouches on the backs of the entrance seats.
A very good-sized trunk holds 16 cubic ft of cargo. Rear seats retract in a 60/40 break up, however they don’t relaxation precisely flat they usually sit a bit larger than the extent of the trunk flooring. Nonetheless, there’s a panel to easy the transition between the 2 areas.
Options, driving demeanor, and worth make the Kia K5 a worthy competitor for the affections of midsize-sedan customers. It’s a automobile for optimists and Optima-ists alike.
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By any title, Kia’s redesigned midsize sedan is a compelling new car. The K5 will get modern fastback-esque styling with numerous distinctive design thrives in and out, plus a powerful checklist of up-to-the-minute out there options. If the GT-Line’s efficiency isn’t spicy sufficient to match its sporty appears for you, the 290-hp GT is an choice.
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2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD Gallery
(Click on under for enlarged photographs)
