Used 2021 Kia K5

The current-generation Optima has been with us for nearly 10 years, and it has helped drive an impressive period of growth for Kia in the U.S. Along the way, this midsize sedan has won awards, most recently being named to KBB’s list of Best Midsize Cars for 2020. And if you wanted an Optima Hybrid or an Optima plug-in hybrid, well, they were available too.

Kia says the new K5, which replaces the Optima, represents “one of the biggest leaps forward between generations in recent automotive history.” While we at KBB hope to verify that bold claim soon, Kia says the K5 name was chosen to emphasize the revolutionary nature of this new fastback sedan, a front-wheel-drive offering that will be available with all-wheel drive.

But why a new sedan in this era of explosive growth for SUVs? Kia believes the market is still too big to ignore, and the K5 represents “a complete rethinking” of the traditional sedan.

There are also plenty of sedans that are Kia K5 competitors. They include the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, plus others like the Hyundai Sonata, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, Chevrolet Malibu, Subaru Legacy, and Volkswagen Passat.

The all-new 2021 Kia K5 is sold in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT.

KBB recently spent some time behind the wheel of a 2021 Kia K5 EX 1.6T, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that sends 180 horsepower to the front wheels via a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission.

Our quick take? This is a refined sedan, and even though a 1.6-liter engine seems small for the job at hand, its excellent turbocharged low-end torque makes the K5 feel adequately powered and relaxed in everyday duty. While the new Kia K5 isn’t overpowering, it’s acceptably quick, with an automatic transmission tuned to upshift rapidly for improved fuel economy. The base K5 is rated by the EPA at an impressive 38 mpg highway.

In the Normal driving mode, the K5’s transmission can feel a bit hesitant to react. But when we put the K5 into Sport mode (using a switch on the center console), it downshifted quickly any time we wanted a quick squirt of acceleration.

At 60 mph on the highway, the 1.6 runs at a relaxed 1,700 rpm. The overall driving experience is quiet and dignified, with minimal wind noise and excellent ride quality. What’s more, the electric-assist power steering has a good feel.

The supportive air-conditioned seats are welcome on hot days, and we appreciate not just the simplicity of the analog gauges but also the traditional knobs and buttons of the K5’s air-conditioning system. On the other hand, the big screen on the top of the center console, while easy to read, lacks a station-adjusting knob. Making matters worse, the touch arrow needed to switch stations is tiny and quite a long reach for the driver, which means more time with eyes away from the road. Please bring back a knob, Kia.

On the plus side, the new Kia K5 sedan seats four adults comfortably, and even though the panoramic sunroof cuts into the headroom a bit, contours in the rear headliner create a bit more headroom below that fastback roofline.

The 5-seat K5 cabin has an open layout and new infotainment display that seamlessly stretches into the instrument panel to create a futuristic three-dimensional layout. Other interior highlights on the EX model that KBB sampled include an aircraft-style shift knob on the center console, plus a panoramic sunroof and metallic vents (front and rear) that have an appealing industrial look. In back, the climate-control vents are appreciated, as are the two USB ports and the contoured headliner, which ensures adequate rear headroom.

Depending on the model chosen, the 2020 Kia K5 can be equipped with a sporty or a premium interior. Notable materials include red leatherette seating and trim that has a satin-metallic or pseudo wood finish. The K5 GT has a flat-bottom steering wheel.

The K5 has what Kia calls a “powerful and angular” design language, and we like what we see. The nose of the car has a modern version of Kia’s “tiger face,” and the fastback silhouette looks particularly racy. A chrome garnish that spans the K5’s roofline and wraps around the rear glass catches the eye.

Other notable details: The mesh design on the K5’s grille and dual chrome exhaust outlets is inspired by shark skin, and a gloss-black applique on the rear glass helps give the K5 that swoopy roofline without compromising rear-seat headroom. Alloy wheels, in 16-, 18-, or 19-inch sizes, are used on the various K5 models.

10.25-INCH TOUCHSCREEN
With either the 8-inch or 10.25-inch touchscreen, the K5 has a split-screen functionality, a voice-command system, and available satellite radio. When you order the larger screen, the available server-based navigation system provides real-time traffic data. It also allows two phones to connect simultaneously with Bluetooth.

ADJUSTABLE DRIVE MODES
The new Kia K5 has Normal, Smart, Sport, and Custom driving modes, each of which tailor the engine, transmission, and steering for the desired driving characteristics. When the K5 GT model arrives later this fall, it will have an additional Sport+ mode. All-wheel-drive models will get a Snow mode.  

The base model, the LX 1.6T, is just that, basic, with a cloth interior and a non-folding rear bench seat. The LXS 1.6T has much more standard equipment, highlighted by a split-folding rear bench seat, UVO infotainment, a blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic assist.  The GT-Line 1.6T ups the sporting quotient with black 18-inch alloy wheels, different bumpers, and an optional red leatherette interior.

A panoramic sunroof joins the K5 lineup at the EX 1.6T level, accompanied by heated front seats, wireless smartphone charging, Sirius satellite radio, and an optional Bose sound system with 12 speakers. At the top of the lineup is the GT 2.5 T model, the one K5 powered by the turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. As the sportiest K5, it has firm suspension, paddle shifters, 19-inch alloy wheels, a flat-bottom steering wheel, and dual quad-tip mufflers.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and automatic emergency braking (with pedestrian and cyclist protection), are standard across the 2021 Kia K5 lineup, as are a driver-attention warning and lane-keep assist. We wish rear-cross-traffic alert (with automatic braking) was standard on all new K5s.

Key options include a red leatherette interior on the GT-Line 1.6T, a 12-speaker Bose sound system on the EX 1.6T, and all-wheel drive, which is available on all K5 models except the base LX 1.6T.

Additionally, the 2021 Kia K5 is available with Highway Driving Assistant. This system uses information from the navigation to automatically adjust speeds to the posted limits. The available smart cruise control also leverages map data to see curves in the road and slow the K5 if necessary. The K5 also is available with a system that will automatically apply the brakes if it senses you are turning across oncoming traffic at a dangerous time.

A GT-Line AWD Special Edition K5 also is available. This Wolf Gray K5 has gloss-black B-pillar trim and LED projector headlights, plus a red leatherette interior and a panoramic sunroof with LED lighting. Of note, the Special Edition K5’s has Highway Driving Assist, a system in which the adaptive cruise control communicates with the navigation system to slow the vehicle an appropriate amount for upcoming curves on the highway.

Two engines are available in the 2021 Kia K5. The primary powerplant is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Continuously variable valve duration (an industry first, says Kia) is said to improve its performance and efficiency. This engine mates to a conventional new 8-speed automatic transmission.

The other engine, available only in the K5 2.5 GT model, is a turbocharged and direct-injected 2.5-liter 4-cylinder that puts out 290 horsepower and a healthy 311 lb-ft of torque. Mated to Kia’s own 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, this direct-injected engine powers the K5 2.5 GT to 60 mph in a fleet 5.8 seconds.

All-wheel-drive K5 models are equipped with an electro-hydraulic center coupling that quickly distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, as needed.

Note: The LX model gets the best EPA fuel economy because it’s the only new K5 model with a fuel-saving automatic stop/start function.

1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4
180 horsepower
195 lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 29/38 mpg (LX), 27/37 mpg (LXS, GT-Line, EX), 26/34 mpg (AWD LXS and AWD GT-Line)

2.5-liter turbocharged inline-4
290 horsepower
311 lb-ft of torque @ 1,600-4,300 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 24/32 mpg