South Trail Kia
Posted on March 25, 2021
For many years, the Kia Optima was a leader in the midsize sedan class with a classic both inside and out. It offered quality and reliability but was missing an element of fun.
For 2021, Kia completely redesigned the Optima and renamed it K5. This new bolder sedan has a sportier look on the outside and a truly luxurious interior.
Many drivers sat up and took notice when Kia announced the new 2021 K5, and they were not the only ones.
MotorWeek is television's longest running automotive magazine show, which annually judges the best new cars and trucks of the year. Vehicles are judges on several factors, including value, reliability, trends, innovations, and more.
For 2021, MotorWeek bestowed its coveted Drivers' Choice Award on the 2021 Kia K5 sedan. The K5 was chosen as the Best Family Sedan for 2021 because of the elevated level of performance found in the vehicle. The K5 is not a standard midsize sedan anymore; it includes the full suite of personal and safety technology, turbocharged powertrains, optional all-wheel drive, affordability, and bold styling that seamlessly moves from the exterior to the interior of the vehicle.
MotorWeek noted that Kia took the heritage of the already-excellent Optima, which was a favourite of MotorWeek, and elevated its performance and technology in the K5.
The 2021 Kia K5 deserves all the praise it is receiving. It delivers a truly upscale experience in terms of both luxury and ride at an accessible price point.
Starting at $29,595, the 2021 Kia K5 is offered in Calgary and across Canada in four model versions: LX, EX, GT Line, and GT. The base model LX features a heated steering wheel, smart key with push button start, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity, blind spot collision avoidance assist, and lane keep assist.
The LX, EX, and GT Line models are built with a 1.6-litre Gamma-II turbocharged GDI engine that delivers 180 horsepower, 195 lb-ft of torque, and 8.1 L/100km combined fuel economy. The GT features even more power with a Theta 2.5-litre-III turbocharged GDI that offers 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.
To put into perspective how much power and performance comes in the 2021 Kia K5 sedan, it was tested against the 2021 BMW 330i. The most powerful Kia K5, the GT, outperformed the BMW in almost all areas. It was quicker in a straight line, and it also handled better during spirited driving. In an acceleration test from 0 to 60 miles per hour, the K5 GT hit 60 mph in 5.7 seconds while the 330i took 5.98 seconds. In addition, the Kia needed 47 fewer feet for highway merging (acceleration from 20 to 65 mph) than the BMW.
With the incredible number of standard features and powerful turbocharged engines, it is easy to see the capability that the 2021 Kia K5 brings to the table. When paired with its bold exterior styling and luxurious interior, it was an easy choice for MotorWeek's Drivers' Choice Award in the Best Family Sedan category.
Categories: New Vehicle, KIA K5