2021 Kia K5

The all-new 2021 K5 is offered by Kia in 5 different trims with an option of AWD drivetrain on most trims. The base K5 LX starts at $23,590 and the price range goes up to $30,590 for the sportiest K5 trim - GT (reviewed separately).  You can opt for AWD on the LXS and GT-Line trims starting from $24,590 and $25,490 respectively. The GT-Line gets exclusive styling inside out, but its faster look does not translate into sportier performance. 

Which trim should you buy?

Although many features are available right from the base LX trim, most of the creature comforts that we would want from our daily driven car are available only from the GT-Line trim, hence it is the most sensible choice as it also doesn’t cost a huge sum of money over the base model. 

The standard four-cylinder engine powering the 2021 K5 FWD with engine stop-start is pretty frugal, offering about 32 mpg of combined city and highway driving. Opting for the AWD with the 1.6-liter drops the EPA fuel economy ratings to 29 mpg, However, a sizable 14.8-gallon fuel tank ensures a decent driving range of over 400 miles easily with either of the drivetrains, on a single tank of gas.

The GT models with the 2.5-liter engine return 24/32 mpg city/highway. 

There is no need for an introduction to the frugality of the Accord but the K5 isn’t too far behind as well in this regard. Both the Hyundai Sonata and Toyota Camry have similar rated fuel economy figures as that of the K5. Except for the Camry which employs a larger gas tank, all the three have identical fuel tank capacity and hence offer similar driving ranges.

Kia has been known for making some bold and stylish cabin designs and the K5’s cabin reminds us of some premium European cars. Obviously, the quality of the materials isn’t similar to the German Audis and BMWs, but it overshadows every other cabin in its segment. The large touchscreen and the center console are slightly tilted towards the driver for ease of usage, but the lack of a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter below GT-Line trim is a shame. 

In terms of cabin space, the K5 offers acres of space up front while keeping the rear seat passengers rather comfortable as well. That being said, the middle rear passenger won’t be very happy as with other sedans, and the low sloping roofline does affect ingress and egress, although cabin headroom is pretty decent. The 16 cu-ft of the trunk is pretty usable, so are the various storage pockets and cubby holes all around the cabin. 

Being based on the same platform and sharing most of its parts, both the Kia K5 and the Hyundai Sonata offer an identical cabin and trunk space. The Honda Accord isn’t as spacious at the front but the rear seat offers enough legroom to sit even the taller passengers rather comfortably. Add to that the class-leading trunk capacity, the Toyota Camry falls further behind in both the rear seat and cargo space section. 

• 8-way power-adjustable driver seat w/2-way lumbar support
• Heated Front Bucket Seats
• 60-40 Folding Bench Rear Seat
• Cloth and Leatherette Seat Trim
• Tilt/Telescoping Sport Heated Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Chrome and Metal-Look Interior Accents

What’s there to keep you entertained?

The Korean carmaker has led the market in terms of technology and infotainment features in the past and it continues to do so even with the 2021 K5. The large touchscreen infotainment system has crisp graphics, intuitive layout, and quick responses and comes standard with wireless smartphone integration. 

The optional 10.25-inch touchscreen is only available as an option on the higher trim but oddly foregoes the wireless smartphone integration capability. The standard audio system is fine but the optional 12-speaker Bose system is the one to go for to thoroughly enjoy your music. The improved UVO telematics enhances the experience even further. 

• 8.0-inch touchscreen TFT infotainment display
• 6-speaker audio system
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
• HD Radio and SiriusXM
• Bluetooth wireless technology and Mobile Hotspot Internet Access
• Turn-By-Turn Navigation Directions
• Voice Activation

The midsize sedans mostly consisting of mundane daily driven cars don't really get much attention, but the newly launched Kia K5 will. As compared to the older Optima, it is longer and also has a lower sportier stance. The wide and slim tiger grille together with the dramatic LED DRLs and headlights provide a mean front-end look to the car. The LED lights that run across the rear of the car also look slick along with the lip spoiler, rear diffuser, and dual exhausts.

The large and spacious cabin and cargo space offered by the Accord is due to the longer dimension of the car. It also offers a higher ground clearance which is identical to the Camry, that aids it in gliding over curbs and broken roads with scraping its belly. Both the Sonata and K5 are similar in terms of dimensions but use a radically different design language. 

• Automatic Aero-Composite LED Daytime Running Auto High-Beam Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Lip Spoiler
• Power Heated Side Mirrors
• Chrome Side Windows Trim and Rear Window Trim
• Express Open/Close Sliding And Tilting Glass Panoramic Sunroof w/Power Sunshade
• 18-inch Graphite Machined Finish Alloy Wheels

With Optima doing so well in this regard, there should have been no surprises that the 2021 K5 gets a perfect 5-star overall safety rating in the NHTSA crash tests. From IIHS, the Kia gets the “Top Safety Pick+” designation for the 2021 model year. Many of the safety features are standard with the base model. Key highlights of the safety and driver assistance features have been mentioned below.

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance-Assist
• Blind-Spot Collision Warning
• Lane Departure Warning System w/Lane Keeping Assist
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Rear View Monitor with Parking Guidance Back-Up Camera

Kia K5 vs Honda Accord 

The car to beat in this segment, the Honda Accord is considered as the king of the segment and that is for a reason. It offers strong acceleration and braking performance, agile handling, and a frugal engine that is complemented by low maintenance costs. That being said, Kia offers a much longer and more exhaustive warranty package and a more premium cabin. It’s an even match but the spacious cabin and trunk together with a strong resale value for the Accord make it our winner here.

Kia K5 vs Hyundai Sonata

Corporate sisters to each other, both the K5 and Sonata share a lot of mechanicals and other parts and are also priced very close to each other. The larger and naturally aspirated engine of the Hyundai Sonata is marginally quicker and offers better performance while also returning similar fuel efficiency figures. With that being the only major difference between the two, we would recommend the Sonata for its stronger performance.

Kia K5 vs Toyota Camry 

Another stalwart of the segment, the Toyota Camry is one of the most popular midsize sedans in the market and hence carries a lot of value as well. The acceleration and braking performance is pretty strong, while the larger gas tank offers the longest driving range in the segment. Although it offers a spacious rear seat, the K5 offers a larger trunk and more space at the front. Kia also has a more striking exterior and cabin and more premium features at a lower cost as compared to Toyota, and hence would be our winner between the two. 

The all-new Kia Optima replacement has not just changed its name but intends to change the game as well. It has a decent powertrain with a fuel economy on par with the segment. The cabin and ride quality is plush while the exterior design is appealing. The latest safety and technology on offer together with the long and exhaustive warranty program does make for a strong offering in this segment.