The 2021 Kia K5 replaces the long-running Kia Optima because the model’s midsize household sedan, and it brings with it daring, aggressive exterior styling and a significantly snug driving expertise. Not solely that, it’s a very good worth in comparison with the competitors. And whereas it does sacrifice some sportiness for its consolation, Kia will introduce a high-performance GT mannequin by the tip of the yr that ought to rectify the shortage of driving pleasure. There are some sedans in the marketplace with a barely higher mix of sportiness and luxury, similar to certainly one of our favorites, the Honda Accord, in addition to the gracefully growing old Mazda6, however the Kia’s robust factors are sufficient to make it a must-see for midsize automobile customers.
What’s new for 2020?
The Kia K5 is a brand new mannequin launched this yr, nevertheless it may definitely be thought-about the next-generation Optima with a reputation change.
What is the K5’s inside and in-car know-how like?
Whereas the K5’s exterior is daring and aggressive, the inside is much less in-your-face. That’s to not say it isn’t nonetheless trendy, although. The dashboard has a singular design with separate ranges that offers it some visible curiosity. On most fashions, you get aluminum-look trim on the sprint and doorways, however the EX options pretty convincing matte-finish fake wooden trim. The plastics are all high-quality with a welcome variety of delicate contact surfaces and attention-grabbing, enticing patterns.
The devices and infotainment display occupy a big monolith in entrance of the driving force and the middle of the sprint. The gauges are analog with a show nestled between them. The usual infotainment touchscreen is an 8-inch unit (within the images above) flanked by bodily shortcut buttons and knobs. It is the identical system that Kia has used for a number of years, which is straightforward to make use of however a bit dated in look. Accessible as an possibility on the GT-Line and EX is a ten.25-inch display (pictured under). It’s bigger and options up to date graphics which can be nicer to take a look at, nevertheless it capabilities equally. That’s not a foul factor. As a substitute of regular shortcut buttons, this technique additionally picks up touch-sensitive shortcut controls quite than bodily buttons. Fairly merely, they do not perform as nicely and we’re glad the local weather management sticks with conventional buttons and knobs no matter infotainment system.
Additionally price noting is that seating lodging are fairly snug. The entrance seats particularly are thickly cushioned with mild bolstering. The seats have a number of adjustment so a cushty place is straightforward to search out. The rear seats aren’t as good, however are removed from offensive. House is affordable as nicely, and we go into higher element with that within the subsequent part.
How large is the K5?
The K5 measures in at 193.1 inches lengthy, 73.2 inches huge and 56.9 inches tall. It additionally has a wheelbase of 112.2 inches lengthy. In comparison with the Optima it replaces, it’s about 2 inches longer in each total size and wheelbase. It’s about the identical width and about an inch shorter than the Optima. Subsequent to phase benchmarks such because the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, the K5 is inside an inch both manner of each sedans.
Inside, the K5 gives loads of legroom and shoulder room for each entrance and rear passengers. Nevertheless, head room is a contact tight in each rows regardless of the specs displaying that the K5 has extra headroom than the Optima, Accord and Camry. On paper, shoulder room is sort of equivalent to the Honda and Toyota. Legroom specs fluctuate significantly amongst these automobiles, however having sat within the again, there’s loads of legroom behind the K5 for adults to be snug for lengthy durations of time.
Cargo area for the Kia K5 is 16 cubic ft. That falls between the Accord and Camry. The Accord has 0.7 cubic foot more room and the Camry has 0.9 cubic foot much less. It is roughly much like the Hyundai Sonata.
What is the K5’s efficiency and gas financial system?
Each Kia K5 aside from the GT will get the identical turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automated transmission. It makes 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. LX, LXS, GT-Line and EX trims get front-wheel drive as customary, and all-wheel drive is an possibility on the LXS and GT-Line. Gas financial system with front-wheel drive is 27 mpg within the metropolis, 37 on the freeway and 31 mixed. The bottom LX trim is the one trim to get auto start-stop, and its gas financial system is barely increased with scores of 29/38/32 mpg. The all-wheel-drive K5s see a dip in gas financial system to 26/34/29 mpg.
The GT trim stage is the one one to get a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that makes 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. It comes with an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission and front-wheel drive solely. Gas financial system numbers weren’t obtainable on the time of this writing.
What is the K5 wish to drive?
The place the Kia K5 excels is in consolation. The suspension is tuned delicate, however with glorious physique management so that you’ve a easy, luxurious trip. The cabin may be very quiet, as is the engine and transmission. Throw in supportive seats and seating place, and the K5 is definitely some of the snug household sedans.
However if you wish to drive with some vigor, the K5 falls quick. The steering is properly weighted with some suggestions, however isn’t fairly pretty much as good as that of the Honda Accord or Mazda6. The delicate suspension reveals a good bit of physique roll in corners. The chassis doesn’t reply shortly to inputs, both, and there’s little or no grip. Plus, the transmission is gradual to shift, so it’s arduous to benefit from the 1.6-liter engine.
We count on the Kia K5 GT will remedy a few of our dynamic disappointments with the common K5. It has a sport-tuned suspension that ought to, in idea, enhance the dealing with. It should even have way more horsepower, and its dual-clutch automated must be a quick shifter. Although we hadn’t pushed it on the time of this writing, we’ve pushed a prototype of the closely-related Hyundai Sonata N Line, and it was promising.
What extra can I learn concerning the Kia K5?
2021 Kia K5 First Drive | Comfortable, cool, however not fairly king
In our first drive of the K5, we give detailed driving impressions and the way the K5 fares towards the aggressive midsize sedan phase.
2021 Kia K5 Inside Driveway Check | Filled with aptitude
We dive deep into the Kia K5’s inside with the sporty GT-Line mannequin to see the way it stacks up.
2021 Kia K5 Baggage Gallery
Flip by our set of images the place we learn how a lot baggage matches contained in the K5’s trunk.
What options can be found and what is the K5’s value?
The bottom Kia K5 LX begins at $24,455, together with the vacation spot cost of $965. This base mannequin options 16-inch alloy wheels, automated LED headlights, heated mirrors, fabric seats with six-way guide adjustment on the driving force and passenger seats, dual-zone automated local weather management, 8-inch infotainment display and wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Security options embody rear occupant alert, ahead collision warning and emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep help and automated high-beam headlights. A few of the extra notable options obtainable on increased trims both as choices or customary tools embody leatherette upholstery, heated seats, heated steering wheel, navigation, a ten.25-inch infotainment display and wi-fi telephone charging.
All costs under embody the $965 vacation spot cost. Yow will discover extra data on every of the under trim stage’s added function content material plus specs and native pricing right here at Autoblog.
- LX: $24,455
- LXS: $25,455
- GT-Line: $26,355
- EX: $28,955
- LXS AWD: $27,555
- GT-Line AWD: $30,055
- GT 2.5T: $31,455
What are K5’s security tools and crash scores?
The bottom K5 consists of customary ahead collision warning with automated emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping help and a rear occupant warning system. Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning techniques are added on the LXS, GT-Line, EX and GT trim ranges. EX additionally provides rear parking sensors as customary. GT-Line and EX get a number of security function choices not obtainable on LX and LXS. GT-Line choices embody adaptive cruise management with or with out navigation-based curve velocity help and freeway steering help. The EX solely has the navigation-based adaptive cruise management as an possibility, and it additionally has elective rear emergency braking. The GT has the identical choices listing, however rear parking sensors are additionally an possibility.
The K5 earned a five-star total security ranking from the NHTSA. Its facet crash check ranking was 5 stars, whereas the entrance and rollover ranking have been each 4 stars. The IIHS has not but examined the K5.
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