Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to rent a 2021 Kia K5 LXS (second trim level) from Enterprise in San Francisco. I drove it for about 250 miles, combining highway and local routes, including a 20-mile stretch through winding roads on my way to a state park.
Here’s the TL;DR – For the price, it’s a solid performer. The 1.6T engine has good power, and if you keep the turbo engaged, it’s actually quite fun to drive. The tech package is pretty solid, though the interior features a lot of hard plastics.
I won’t dive too much into the exterior design since it seems to be a love-it-or-hate-it situation. Personally, I think it looks fine for the price range. It’s modern without being over the top.
The interior layout is something I really liked. The way the screen is integrated into the dash looks much more polished compared to the “tablet on a stick” style you see in some Mazdas and Toyotas. I’m also happy to see that Kia kept physical buttons for all the major functions, though I found the oversized audio buttons to look a bit cheap. The piano black plastic around the controls also gives off a low-end vibe that might not age well. HVAC controls are separate, and I was pleasantly surprised to see automatic climate control in this second-tier trim. However, the manual fan control only has low, medium, and high settings, which is less precise than what you get in most other cars. The seating was simple but comfortable, though the cabin had more hard plastics than I’m used to in my Subaru Outback. I also didn’t like that the armrest doesn’t move forward. And that odd “T” shaped shift knob? Definitely feels like a relic from 15 years ago.
On the tech front, Kia made some puzzling decisions. The trim includes Android Auto/CarPlay (which worked flawlessly with my Pixel 3a, both wired and wirelessly), radar-based blind-spot detection, emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist, but no adaptive cruise control. That’s an extra $1,600 on the GT-Line trim, and even on the highest trims (EX and GT), it’s part of a $3,400–$4,000 “Premium” package. To me, this doesn’t make much sense. I’d rather have adaptive cruise control as standard and save the advanced safety features for the premium packages.
Performance-wise, I was impressed. The 1.6T engine has plenty of power—more than my 2.5L Outback. I had a lot of fun launching from stoplights and downshifting to pass on the highway. Below 2,500 RPM, though, it feels sluggish. But if you keep the turbo spinning, the car is responsive and fun to drive. The 8-speed automatic transmission is smooth, much better than other automatics I’ve driven, with no jerky shifts. The car behaves almost like a CVT with fake shift points (similar to my Subaru). The shift times aren’t lightning fast, but for a family sedan, that’s not a dealbreaker. The stock tires, however, leave something to be desired. I had no trouble getting them to squeal on dry pavement, even with traction control engaged. The handling is good for a car this size—while not as agile as my Miata, it held its line well, even when I pushed it 10 mph over the speed limit on some curvy roads.
In terms of noise, the K5 is surprisingly quiet. At highway speeds of 75–80 mph, the cabin noise was much lower than expected, and the engine noise was minimal, even at higher RPMs, making for a comfortable driving experience.
Would I buy this car if I were in the market? That’s a tough question. With adaptive cruise control locked behind a premium package, the price would be around $27k, which puts it in the same price range as the Hyundai Sonata (which also limits ACC to higher trims). However, to get the turbo in the Sonata, you’re looking at a more expensive SEL Plus model at over $28k. The Toyota Camry is a no-go for me, as I find it unattractive inside and out, though it does offer ACC as standard. The Honda Accord has a nice 1.5T engine and a good look, but it comes with a CVT. The Subaru Legacy has a large LCD screen but lacks power with its 2.5L NA engine and also uses a CVT. I’d say the K5 is a solid contender. With better tires and the GT-Line package for a more premium interior, I could definitely see myself enjoying this car.