The 2021 Kia K5 is an all-new mid-size sedan with a dose of style, performance, and even available all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction.
The K5 replaces the Optima, and it slots in below the Stinger in the Kia lineup. Available in LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT trim levels, the K5 competes against the related Hyundai Sonata plus the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. With its available AWD, it’s a rival for the Subaru Legacy, too.
All but the GT use a 180-horsepower 1.6-liter turbo-4 paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. The GT makes use of a 2.5-liter turbo-4 rated at 290 hp. AWD is optional on the LXS and the GT-Line, but unavailable on other trims.
Every K5 comes with a touchscreen head unit incorporating Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus standard automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, and a driver attention monitor.
2021 Kia K5 LX (Original starting price when new: $24,585)
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The 2021 Kia K5 LX started at $24,585.
The base version of the Kia K5 features 16-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights with automatic high beams. It’s not much dressier inside with its cloth seats with manual adjustment, and its rear seatback is fixed and does not fold down to expand the cargo area.
Well-equipped with tech, the LX includes dual-zone automatic climate control, cruise control, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, and crash-avoidance tech.
Who is this trim for? The base K5 competes mainly on its low price, at least by mid-size sedan standards.
2021 Kia K5 LX includes:
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility — A Bluetooth-connected smartphone can project select navigation, entertainment, and communication apps to the touchscreen.
Fixed rear seatback — Somewhat of an anomaly, these days, the K5 comes standard with a seatback that you can’t fold to expand the trunk.
LED headlights with automatic high beams — The LED lighting provides crisp nighttime visibility, and automatic high beams can dim when they detect an oncoming vehicle.
2021 Kia K5 LXS (Original starting price when new: $25,585)
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The 2021 Kia K5 LXS started at $25,585.
For just $1,000 more, the LXS includes a 60/40 split-folding rear seatback with an integrated armrest, the ability to connect to the automaker’s smartphone app for select vehicle diagnostics as well as remote unlocking and locking, blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alerts, and a few minor touches such as lighted exterior door handles.
The LXS comes in an AWD version adding heated front seats, too.
Who is this trim for? The LXS has a host of minor upgrades that add up to a worthwhile $1,000 bump for most shoppers, not to mention the all-season readiness of all-wheel-drive for drivers who might want that extra traction.
2021 Kia K5 LXS includes:
Smartphone app — Select vehicle functions such as remote locking and unlocking, fuel level information, and service diagnostics viewable on a smartphone app.
Blind-spot monitors and rear cross-traffic alerts — These driver-assistance features can potentially help avoid a costly collision.
Available all-wheel drive — Drivers who routinely find themselves in wintry or wet conditions may appreciate the added confidence of all-wheel drive.
2021 Kia K5 GT-Line (Original starting price when new: $26,485)
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The 2021 Kia K5 GT-Line started at $26,485.
The GT-Line has a racy look, but it shares the 180-hp turbo-4 with most other K5 models.
Outside, it gains 18-inch wheels and unique trim with revised bumpers and a special grille design, plus a black rear spoiler.
Its seats echo that look with cloth inserts surrounded by leatherette bolsters, and Kia throws in 10-way power adjustment for the driver. A flat-bottom steering wheel and a black headliner complete the look.
Feature-wise, the GT-Line is essentially on par with the LXS. However, the optional Premium Package (front-wheel-drive models only) adds adaptive cruise control, cyclist detection for the automatic emergency braking system, a panoramic sunroof, upgraded LED headlights, and a wireless charging pad.
All-wheel-drive models come with a similar package called “Special Edition,” including those same features plus a 10.3-inch touchscreen with built-in navigation and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist that keeps the vehicle centered in its lane with limited driver input at highway speeds.
Who is this trim for? The GT-Line has sporty looks to compete against the Toyota Camry SE and XSE, but its main draw might be its reasonably priced option packages that include a ton of tech for the money.
2021 Kia K5 GT-Line includes:
Sport-look interior and exterior trim — While the GT-Line isn’t a performance model, it does look the part for a lot less than the full-on GT.
Available adaptive cruise control — This system keeps the car a safe distance from the vehicle ahead at highway speeds to reduce fatigue and the risk of accidents.
Available Highway Driving Assist — Building on adaptive cruise control, this system keeps the vehicle centered in its lane, can operate in stop-and-go traffic and connects with the navigation system to adjust the speed automatically. It is not a hands-off system, but it is a significant upgrade over adaptive cruise control.
2021 Kia K5 EX (Original starting price when new: $29,085)
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The 2021 Kia K5 EX started at $29,085.
Available only with FWD, the K5 EX is based on the LXS but adds several more luxury-oriented features. Look for 18-inch alloy wheels and a standard panoramic moonroof outside. Kia dresses the cabin up with full leatherette upholstery, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, cooled front seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wireless charging pad, and rear parking sensors.
A single option package includes Highway Driving Assistant, a 10.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, a power-adjustable passenger’s seat, a heated steering wheel, and memory for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors.
Who is this trim for? The EX is pretty well-equipped for the money, though the step up to the GT isn’t that much higher.
2021 Kia K5 EX includes:
Leatherette upholstery — With the feel of leather, this synthetic trim is hard-wearing and low-maintenance.
Cooled front seats — Performated upholstery and tiny fans in the seats can help the front-seat occupants feel cool on a hot day.
Available Premium Package — The big draw here is Highway Driving Assist, but this package includes many niceties worth seeking out if your budget stretches.
2021 Kia K5 GT (Original starting price when new: $31,585)
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The 2021 Kia K5 GT started at $31,585.
The GT lives up to its name by swapping in a larger and more powerful turbo-4, which delivers stronger acceleration at the expense of fuel economy. Even though it’s the top model in the K5 lineup, the GT comes only with front-wheel drive.
The 2021 K5 GT primarily builds on the GT-Line, at least in style. It also adds 19-inch alloy wheels, and it comes standard with the panoramic moonroof.
Inside, the K5 GT features bolstered front seats wrapped in black leatherette, power adjustment for the driver’s seat, and the 8.0-inch touchscreen.
The available GT1 package includes everything Kia throws at the K5, including Highway Driving Assist, a Bose audio system, a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a heated steering wheel, 10-way power adjustment for the passenger’s seat, and memory for the driver’s seat and exterior mirrors.
Who is this trim for? With 290 hp on tap, the K5 GT is the enthusiast’s choice here.
2021 Kia K5 GT includes:
2.5-liter turbo-4 — This more powerful engine delivers a big upgrade in terms of acceleration. It comes paired with a quick-shifting dual-clutch automatic transmission rather than the conventional 8-speed automatic.
Bolstered front seats — These seats have more side bolstering than other models to help keep occupants in place under harder cornering.
Available GT1 package — This is the fanciest the K5 gets as it edges close to Stinger territory in terms of price, features, and even power.
