This is the Kia K5.
Now, what is it?
It's bang for your buck on four wheels, wrapped in style.
So let's unwrap it and see what the K5 is all about.
Hey, what's up, everybody?
I'm Desola from Edmunds.
And we painstakingly test and review hundreds of cars
every single year while CarMax expertly
appraises, buys, and sells thousands and thousands
of them.
So we decided to combine forces to help you find your next car.
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The K5 is a midsize sedan that debuted in 2021, replacing
the Optima in Kia's lineup.
It competes with the gold standard
of the class, the Honda Accord, as well
as the comfortable Toyota Camry and the sporty Mazda6.
Here's the full rundown of the K5 trims.
First, there's the base LX, the LXS, the cool-looking GT-Line
that has extra styling that really makes it stand out,
and then there's the EX, which is
what we have right here today.
And finally, there's the turbocharged GT,
which is the fastest K5 that you can buy.
So today, we're going to take a look at the EX.
Now, this is a sharp-looking car.
In fact, we'd say that it's the best looking car in the class.
CarMax sells 2021 K5s for an average
of $31,734, which is higher than most of its closest
competition.
But is it worth it?
Well, let's take a closer look and find out.
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The interior design scores big points in our Edmunds testing.
There's lots of great-looking materials
and plenty of soft-touch surfaces in the right spots.
Now, of course there are some cheap plastics here and there.
And I got to say, some of these bits do look fake up close.
But it's not a shocker for the price point.
Our editors think that the Honda Accord offers better materials.
But then again, the K5 really does strike a good balance
between style and comfort.
Front passengers have plenty of space
and the seats offer good adjustability,
but both are average for the class.
Now, the sloping roofline means that rear passengers
have to duck when getting in.
But once you're seated, there's tons of room.
Now, this is a family sedan, after all.
And the K5 is equipped with two sets
of latch points for car seats.
Another benefit of the sloping roof
line, besides its good looks, of course,
is that the trunk is tall.
It's also pretty wide and the load floor is low.
Trunk space is above average for the class.
And it stacks up pretty well against the closest
competition.
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So an 8-inch touchscreen is standard on the K5
and it comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
And get this, both of which are wireless, standard!
I love that.
Now, if you're somebody who wants a larger screen,
there is a 10.25-inch screen available on the GT line,
the EX, and the GT.
Now, some other highlights include up to five USB ports,
depending on the level of K5 you go with.
Plus, there is an optional wireless charger
like we have right here.
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There are two engines available for the K5 in 2021.
The GT gets a fantastic turbocharged 2.5-liter,
4-cylinder that has near top-of-the-class power numbers.
Now, every other K5 gets a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder,
which we have in this car.
Now, its numbers aren't impressive,
but the good thing about it is that it
doesn't feel underpowered.
And combined with the silky 8-speed automatic transmission,
it feels nice and smooth.
Now, it's a similar story when it
comes to steering and handling.
It doesn't really take much effort to steer
and it feels capable in the corners.
But it doesn't rise to the level of a sports sedan
like the Mazda CX.
Our editors found the suspension to be excellent.
It smooths out bumps and it quickly returns you
to a pleasant drive.
This car is all about driving ease and comfort but also
confidence.
And in this class, that's a rare combination.
So thumbs up to you, Kia.
Every K5 comes standard with forward-collision mitigation
and lane-keep assist.
But if you want additional features
like blind-spot monitoring and adaptive cruise control,
you'll have to opt for a higher trim level than the base model.
At its heart, the K5 is a sensible and comfortable family
sedan.
But then there are the small conveniences, helpful features,
and cool little accents sprinkled all around.
That's why in our minds, the K5 is just
as practical as competitors like the Accord and the Camry.
But it's a step above in personality and style.
So what do you like about the K5?
Let us know in the comments down below.
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Plus, if you want to read an in-depth article about the K5,
click the link in the description.
Thank you again for watching and we'll see you next time.