Hollis said:
@Bali
What’s the peak torque level?
195 lb-ft.
Hmm, that’s strange that it feels weak at such low RPMs with that torque coming from a 1.6 engine.
@Bali
That’s interesting since my Civic has a 1.5L turbo and never feels sluggish at legal speeds, whether in stop-and-go or on the highway. If I need it to speed up, it does without hesitation. It reaches full torque under 2k RPM and usually doesn’t exceed 2.3k in everyday driving.
…yeah, their website shows full torque at 1,500 RPM. 195 lb-ft aligns with the segment averages. Is it possible something was wrong with your rental? Or maybe there’s a gearing issue.
@Tatum
It’s possible that the electronic throttle response is set to be less aggressive unless there’s a significant change when the pedal is pressed, which would necessitate a downshift. I didn’t really try the manual mode.
@Bali
It’s interesting to hear your experiences. While I haven’t tried the Kia, my Veloster has the same engine. I typically keep it in sport mode because it feels so much better. Without the turbo, it doesn’t have a lot of power, but in Sport, it kicks in easily and I get torque around 1800 RPM, making it feel way more responsive.
@Bali
I can relate to your experience. Even in smart mode, it takes a few moments to shift into Sport when I need it to.
@Winter
To me, the K5 shows what Kia and Hyundai are doing right with their cars. The bold new designs are a step in the right direction. Most new cars from these brands are taking different approaches to really stand out, and I think it’s positively impacting their image.
I wish Honda and Toyota would take similar risks with their popular models. Why not create cars that are reliable yet also visually appealing? As OP pointed out, cars like the Camry aren’t exactly exciting to look at. Just think about what would happen if Toyota decided to shake things up. Maybe it’s time for these automakers to learn from brands that have once lagged behind.
@Fitz
I agree with you. Looking back, Hondas and Toyotas have been pretty bland ever since the Optima redesign. Even back in 2011, the Optima was miles ahead of the Accord or Camry in terms of exterior style.
@Winter
A friend just got a K5 GT. I’m really impressed and a bit jealous of how nice that car looks. It’s gray with red interior, and it really stands out. Kia has done an amazing job with this one.
@Winter
I think they’re keeping ACC features limited because they don’t consider it a major safety feature, while LKA and BLIS are seen as more essential.
It’s a shame that the DCT is going away, but I bet the automatic is much smoother, though likely slower.
@Winter
What holds me back from buying Hyundai or Kia is how their cars age and their resale values. But I will admit, some of them look pretty good.
@Winter
ACC or Smart Cruise Control, as Kia labels it, should be available if the car already features Lane Assist and Forward Collision Prevention. I have a Telluride LX that uses SCC, and it basically drives on its own on the highway. You can feel the steering assist take over. It’s said to use the front-facing camera located at the windshield’s top. I think Kia wants to offer basic safety tech like collision avoidance and lane keeping, but they want you to pay extra to get it on the K5. The Telluride LX didn’t come with any upgrade packages, just basic floor mats and Pearl White premium paint.
@Marlowe
All safety features come as standard on all Telluride trims. SCC is offered in the GT-Line with the premium package and the EX trims for the K5. Those features use the camera near your rearview mirror, while SCC relies on a sensor mounted on the bumper.
@Winter
I prefer to keep my hands off the steering when I have Lane Keeping Assist working well, but that’s just me.
Wylie said:
@Winter
I prefer to keep my hands off the steering when I have Lane Keeping Assist working well, but that’s just me.
LKA isn’t fully reliable enough for hands-free driving. It can easily be confused by poor lane markings or construction cones or even glares from the sun.
In the 18 months that I’ve owned my Outback, I use ACC for about 75% of my drives. It’s fantastic not having to constantly adjust for traffic.
@Bali
LKA worked well for me on SoCal and LA roads, even with curves.
Honestly, if I don’t want to brake or accelerate, I’d rather use public transportation; it’s almost like autonomous driving.