Let’s just get this out in the open, we like the new 2021 Kia K5. The styling, performance, technology and long list of standard features give the consumer a lot to appreciate. Competitive pricing, strong fuel economy and an incredibly long warranty make Kia’s mid-size sedan a value leader too.
Exterior Styling that Roars (roll with me here)
Kia calls the wide and thin front grille that extends into the headlights and hood a “tiger face.” Whatever name you affix to it, we like the look. The K5 is aggressive and sporty. Touches of chrome and the sedan’s flowing lines are accented with touches of gloss black. The stock 16-inch alloy wheels can be swapped for 18 or 19-inch versions wrapped with Pirelli P-Zero tires. Dual chrome exhaust tips on the GT-Line and GT models add to the overall sporty appeal.
The fastback-style C-pillar helps the K5 pop in the shopping center parking lot, but the same feature helps Kia’s moderately-priced sedan blend in with much more expensive premium sedans.
An Interior that Purrs (I couldn’t help myself)
It is almost hard to believe that Kia can pack this much luxury into a car for the price. The seating is roomy and comfortable. Dual-zone climate control is standard. Higher trim models sport high quality simulated leather seating material and real wood accents.
We spent our week in a GT-Line model which included a 10-way power driver’s Seat with 2-way power lumbar support and a 6-way power adjustable front passenger’s seat. Thanks to the wide range of movements and the standard tilt and telescopic steering wheel, finding a comfortable driving position is easy.
Rear seat passengers will find the K5 has plenty of room for two adults or three children. Yes, three adults will fit, but we wouldn’t recommend too many sedans built in 2020 for a five adult cross-country adventure. The 16 cubic feet of cargo space is average for the segment and a tiny bit bigger than the room found in the outgoing Kia Optima. Much like the seating, the trunk works well for four adults on a long weekend trip.
Turbocharged Performance
The new K5 is powered by one of two different turbocharged engines depending on options and trim. The base engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine is attached to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission on LX, LXS, GT-Line and EX trims. The new engine includes “Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD)” technology which results in a boost in performance and efficiency.
Kia’s new “all-weather-drive” system (that means front-wheel-drive based all-wheel-drive) is available as an option on K5 models powered by the 1.6-liter engine.
A second, larger and more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine is also available. Producing 290 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft. of torque and paired with a new 8-speed “wet” Dual Clutch Transmission, with this engine the K5 becomes a decent performer. Foot down to the floor, the GT model takes 5.8 seconds to reach sixty miles per hour. The “wet” DCT is a rare find in a mid-size family sedan, setting the K5 apart from the model’s predecessors and segment competition. We’ve been a fan of the Optima, which the K5 replaces, for a while but the new transmission helps bolster our recommendation in a crowded segment.
Fuel economy is rated up to 29 city and 38 highway in front-wheel drive models with the 1.6-liter. The larger 2.5-turbo is rated at 24 city and 32 highway mpg.
Technology
Truth be told, Kia’s infotainment is among the best in the industry. Most people want lots of features but everyone needs an infotainment system that works. Kia offers 8 and 10.25-inch touchscreen systems that are feature heavy AND work well. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth and USB connectivity are all standard.
Our GT-Line featured the larger 10.25-inch system which included a navigation system with real-time traffic data, satellite radio and a very handy wireless phone charger. The unit also features multi-connection Bluetooth wireless that lets two phones connect at the same time.
The base six-speaker audio works well, delivering clear and loud entertainment. An optional 12-speaker BOSE system adds another layer of realism to the audio reproduction.
Noteworthy: Kia’s 10.25-inch touchscreen coupled with the optional BOSE audio package is one of our favorite infotainment systems currently on the market at any price level.
Our GT-Line review vehicle came with a long list of active safety features. Highlights include forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane following assist, automatic high beams, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and a rear view monitor with dynamic parking guidance. Other driver helps include smart navigation-based cruise control with stop and go and highway driving assist.
We found the driver attention warning with leading vehicle departure alert a little bit much. Our local roadways tend to have lines that work more as suggestions than hard and fast rules thanks to a dozen repaints and “fixes” over the years. The line of traffic rarely follows the paint, which seems to irritate the Kia’s feelings. Also, we like to take a second and look both ways before entering busy Jacksonville, Florida intersections, which is fine unless you’re second in line. The K5 likes to let you know that you’ve missed a beat. Both are minor irritations of course and frankly the car is right. But we still like to be the conductor, even if we aren’t always playing the score note for note.
Pricing
The 2021 Kia K5 starts at $23,490 plus fees. Our GT-Line reviewer starts at $25,390 or $29,090 with “all-weather-drive.” Even loaded up, the K5 is a value leader. Did we already say that we like this sedan? Because we do.
