Bid farewell to the Kia Optima, a successful midsize sedan that enjoyed a shelf life of 19 years.
Despite the increased performance, the K5 isn’t considered sporty in terms of handling, although the GT model is really fun to drive.
The South Korean automaker not only renamed the Optima, the 2021 Kia K5 comes with a complete redesign that has lots of upside.
The Optima had a nice run for nearly two decades. After modest sales the first 11 years, it enjoyed a huge jump in 2012 when 152,399 were sold. Sales hit a high of 159,414 in 2015. However, after a seven-year run of 100,000 or more, sales dropped below six figures in 2019 and last year plummeted to 48,484.
While a bit surprised here that Kia dropped the Optima name, the company did an admirable job with the new replacement. The attractive K5 has a striking new exterior look, better performance, and offers upgraded technology, a combination that resulted in sales of 20,378 during the first quarter of 2021.
Curbside appeal is evident in a competitive class that typically lacks imagination among its leaders – Honda and Toyota. The K5 is 2 inches longer and 1 inch wider than its predecessor and resembles some luxury models with its fastback-like profile.
The sedan has some nice curves and lightly slopes from front to back. Up front is a textured grille that is surrounded by LED headlights. Its appeal is enhanced by a chrome strip running along the window line.
There’s a new look and a new name, yet one thing hasn’t changed – just like the Optima, the K5 is offered at an appealing price, starting at approximately $23,700. It has five trim levels (LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, GT).
AT A GLANCE – KIA K5
- Performance: turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder, 180 horsepower; turbo 2.5-liter, four-cylinder, 290 horsepower
- Mileage estimate: 29-38 mpg; 24-32 mpg
- Price estimate: $23,700 – $30,700
- Warranty: 5 years/36,000 miles; Drivetrain: 10 years/100,000 miles; Roadside assistance: 5 years/60,000; Corrosion: 5 years/100,000
Kia did a nice job of making the K5 alluring for anyone who values performance. There are two turbocharged engines that both give the front-wheel drive sedan some punch. All-wheel drive is a new option.
The standard engine is a turbo 1.6-liter, four-cylinder that generates 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It’s been clocked going 0-60 mph in 8.0 seconds and gets 29-38 mpg.
The more powerful engine is the optional turbo 2.5-liter, four-cylinder that produces 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The K5 GT goes 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds and fuel economy is considerably lower at 24-32 mpg.
Despite the increased performance, the K5 isn’t considered sporty in terms of handling, although the GT model is really fun to drive. All models offer a composed and relatively quiet ride, even at high freeway speeds.
Standard safety features for the K5 include lane keeping system, forward collision mitigation, rear occupant alert, driver attention warning, and automatic emergency braking.
Kia also did a fine job of recreating the interior by modernizing the cabin with more technology, increasing soft-touch surfaces, and making it more user-friendly overall. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard and the 8-inch touchscreen makes sense and is easy to master.
Both rows of seating provide good leg room for even taller passengers. However, due to the sloping roofline, head room is not as generous in the back seat for 6-footers. Cargo space measures 16 cubic feet, slightly better than average for the class.
By designing a well-rounded new sedan, the 2021 Kia K5 slips in as a good replacement for the Optima. It offers increased performance, more curb appeal, and the interior has been upgraded.
Weidel on Wheels is featured regularly on www.tahoeskiworld.com. Auto writer Jeffrey Weidel can be reached at skiweidel@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter at @jeffweidel.
