2021 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD Review: Sensible Fashions

Design | Consolation | Expertise | Efficiency | Security | Gas Financial system | Pricing

Kia is not any stranger to distinctive design. Ever for the reason that 2011 Optima, the automaker has instilled each one in all its autos with distinctive, aggressive visuals that set them aside from their competitors, together with mechanically associated Hyundai cousins. The brand new-for-2021 K5 might substitute the Optima in title, nevertheless it carries on its predecessor’s knack for sharp styling and competent mid-size sedan credentials.

That’s all of the extra true of the GT-Line trim, which incorporates a lot of the design aptitude of the sporty K5 GT, although with the bottom automobile’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder as a substitute of the new 2.5-liter mill of the flagship. With all the fantastic thing about its sibling however far much less athletic expertise, the K5 GT-Line is a reverse Q-ship that folks might imagine is quicker than it really is. However of us in search of sharp attractiveness, practicality, and an affordable value will nonetheless respect a lot in regards to the 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line, particularly if all-wheel drive is a precedence – it’s obtainable on the much less highly effective automobile solely.

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• Exterior Colour: Wolf Grey
• Inside Colour: GT-Line Pink
• Wheel Measurement: 18 Inches

The 2021 Kia K5 units itself aside from opponents just like the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima with a low-slung, fastback design, the roofline comprising one lengthy arc from the windshield to the decklid. One stunning aspect is a bit of gloss black plastic on the trunk that makes the rear glass look a lot bigger than it’s, though that simply makes me want Kia made the mid-size four-door a hatchback if that’s the look it was going for.

In any other case, it’s exhausting to fault the K5’s exterior, with Kia-signature amber daytime working lights up entrance rendered in a sharp design, a forward-leaning grille, and dotted-line LED taillights on my GT-Line tester (the decrease LX and LX-S trims get incandescent tails). The sporty package deal additionally contains gloss black accents on the aspect mirrors and rear spoiler, extra aggressive entrance and rear bumpers, and machined 18-inch wheels with black accents. Even on this instance’s Wolf Grey (wannabe-Nardo) paint, the Kia K5 stands out from the group.

I had no complaints in regards to the inside coloration Kia selected for this explicit K5 GT-Line. The pink Syn-Tex fake leather-based seat upholstery is a daring possibility within the mid-size sedan phase, and it seems and feels very good. If vegan supplies proceed to feel and appear this good, conventional leather-based most likely doesn’t have a lot of a future in automobile interiors. The remainder of the inside is respectably completed with only some exhausting plastics down low, and I like the bizarre “tailfins” on the door panel swap panels. Different funky styling decisions embrace a cylindrical deal with for the standard PRND gear selector and “GT-Line” embroidery on the seats.

• Seating Capability: 5
• Seating Configuration: 2 / 3
• Cargo Capability: 16.0 Cubic Ft

The 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line in all fairness comfy in most driving conditions. The small-displacement engine makes a number of thrashing noises on full throttle, and the broad tires produce a good quantity of roar over unhealthy pavement. However the experience is clean even on reasonably pockmarked roads, and whereas the sonic intrusions are noticeable, they’re not terribly annoying.

The entrance seats are well-shaped for long-distance driving, with 10-way energy changes for the driving force and 6-way energy for the passenger. The rear bench is equally supportive, although tall passengers might discover their scalps brushing the sloped roofline only a bit. And there’s a slight lack of rear knee room within the Kia K5 that Honda Accord refugees will certainly discover.

The K5 has 38.4 inches of headroom up entrance, about the identical because the Toyota Camry, although the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima provide extra at 39.4 and 39.3 inches respectively. In again, the K5 has 37.4 inches of headroom, up 0.5 inches on the Altima and 0.1-inch on the Accord and down 0.2 inches on the Camry. However whereas the 46.1 inches of entrance legroom is better of this bunch by a minimum of 2 inches, rear passengers should make do with simply 35.2 inches – down on the Accord by 5.2 ticks of the tape. A 16.0-foot trunk helps issues, because it’s among the many largest on this class.

• Heart Show: 10.3-inch Touchscreen
• Instrument Cluster Show: 4.2-inch
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay or Android Auto: No

The Kia K5 GT-Line is a reassuring mixture of expertise and old-school consumer friendliness, beginning with the gauge cluster. Whereas the performance-oriented K5 GT will get a totally digital sprint, the GT-Line’s quartet of analog gauges is straightforward to learn, with a 4.2-inch data show keeping track of lively security features, gas economic system, and car warnings. The pixel-addicted may want for the total digital show’s reconfigurable look, however functionally, you don’t miss a lot by going analog right here.

The ten.3-inch heart show is way more au courant, and it’s a cinch to navigate. Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis have a few of the finest infotainment software program within the business, and the K5’s system is straightforward to function whereas on the run. The wi-fi charging pad is cleverly positioned in a vertical slot close to the middle armrest, retaining gadgets out of the best way. Sadly, the mid-size four-door lacks wi-fi Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, requiring a USB-A wire for smartphone mirroring. In case you don’t have a type of (most new telephones include USB-C cords now), Kia’s first rate built-in navigation is an enough comfort prize.

• Engine: Turbocharged 1.6-Liter Inline-4
• Output: 180 Horsepower / 195 Pound-Ft
• Transmission: Eight-Velocity Computerized

As talked about earlier than, the GT-Line takes a few of its design inspiration from the quicker, sportier GT, nevertheless it retains the bottom K5’s powertrain to maintain costs (and pulses) low. Kia will get full snaps for making a puny 1.6-liter really feel as stout as this engine does, with greater than sufficient energy down low for unprotected left turns and fast freeway merges. And the sedan gives all-wheel drive, one thing that may’t be stated of the Honda Accord or Hyundai Sonata. In any other case, nothing in regards to the K5 GT-Line encourages apex-clipping or trail-braking.

The dampers do an enough job of controlling physique motions and there’s a secure margin of grip for most traditional driving duties. The brakes can rein issues in properly, too. However the steering is aloof, the tires start to howl too early for covert ops, and the direct-injected clatter underhood received’t encourage any efficiency epiphanies. The K5 GT-Line is a reliable mid-size sedan dressed up in a sporty wrapper – no extra, no much less.

• Driver Help Stage: SAE Stage 2 (Palms-On)
• NHTSA Score: 5 Stars
• IIHS Score: Prime Security Decide+

With normal LED headlights with computerized excessive beams, computerized emergency braking, and lane-departure prevention, even the bottom the Kia K5 has many of the big-ticket lively security options constructed proper in. The GT-Line additionally will get blind spot monitoring, rear cross visitors help, and secure exit warning. Nevertheless, adaptive cruise management requires the GT-Line AWD Premium Bundle, a $1,900 bundle that additionally contains projector-style headlights, a panoramic moonroof, a heated steering wheel, and navigation-linked Freeway Driving Help (HDA).

Though it’s a bummer to must spend extra to get that function – the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have adaptive cruise normal – I defeintely assume it’s well worth the added price after spending a number of days on the freeway in my K5. Kia’s adaptive cruise management and HDA are among the many finest Stage 2 driver-assistance techniques available on the market, with clean braking and acceleration inputs and spectacular lane centering to maintain the K5 an enough distance away from surrounding visitors.

If the worst occurs, the Kia K5 is well-suited to guard its occupants, with a Good rating on each IIHS crash take a look at and a five-star score from the federal authorities.

• Metropolis: 25 MPG
• Freeway: 32 MPG
• Mixed: 28 MPG

The all-wheel-drive Kia K5 GT-Line will get an EPA score of 25 miles per gallon within the metropolis, 32 freeway, and 28 mixed. That’s down so much from the front-drive mannequin’s 27 metropolis, 37 freeway, and 31 mixed, nevertheless it compares properly to different all-wheel-drive opponents. The Toyota Camry XSE AWD achieves 28 mpg mixed, whereas the Nissan Altima SR AWD is a shade higher at 29 mixed. The front-drive-only Honda Accord Sport 1.5T pegs 29 metropolis, 35 freeway, and 32 mixed mpg in EPA testing. All the above take common gas. In my week of combined driving, I noticed an indicated 27 mpg – not unhealthy for traffic-clogged Los Angeles.

• Base Worth: $23,790
• Trim Base Worth: $27,690
• As-Examined Worth: $31,280

Gone are the times when a Kia was assured to be the most affordable car in its class. Nonetheless, the Kia K5 GT-Line AWD is an efficient worth. With a beginning value of $28,685 (together with $995 vacation spot), my tester included that $445 Wolf Grey paint, the aforementioned premium package deal, a cargo mat, and carpeted ground mats for a complete value of $31,280. That’s a good quantity of sedan for the cash. My splendid K5 GT-Line would most likely put on the no-cost Sapphire Blue paint, dropping the value to $30,835.

Outfitted with an optionally available heated steering wheel and panoramic sunroof, a Toyota Camry XSE AWD calls for $34,955 – although it does embrace real leather-based upholstery. Optioned equally to my K5, a Subaru Legacy Sport is a $30,265 proposition, whereas the Nissan Altima SR AWD is $30,520.

After all, none of these options have I-wanna-be-a-Stinger styling or Kia’s impressively built-in driver-assist expertise. And whereas I might personally discover it within the price range to get the extra highly effective, extra involving K5 GT and its attendant 291 horses, of us who both want extra all-weather functionality or higher gas economic system can nonetheless look the a part of the game sedan whereas having fun with the nice worth of the K5 GT-Line.

What Is The Kia K5?

The Kia K5 is the brand new technology of Kia’s midsize sedan, changing the Optima. Though it has related four-door, fastback styling as its predecessor, the K5 is an all-new car that makes use of the corporate’s international title for its mid-size sedan.

Is The Kia K5 A Good Worth?

Beginning at $23,790 plus $995 vacation spot, the Kia K5 is likely one of the least costly entries within the mid-size sedan phase. We drove the K5 GT-Line, which incorporates sporty styling parts like a bolder physique package, gloss black accents, and bigger alloy wheels.

Can You Get All-Wheel Drive On The Kia K5?

Sure. Though the base-model K5 LX is front-wheel-drive solely, all-wheel drive is an $1,800 possibility the mid-level LXS and a $1,600 possibility the fashionable GT-Line. Curiously, the luxurious K5 EX and flagship K5 GT are front-drive solely.

How Quick Is The Kia K5 GT-Line?

With a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four beneath the hood, the Kia K5 GT-Line has 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It’s not almost as sporty as the two.5-liter K5 GT, however the GT-Line remains to be fast sufficient to maintain up with trendy visitors. Its eight-speed computerized transmission is sportier and extra responsive than the CVT present in some opponents.