2020 Kia Optima (5th Generation)

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The all new Kia Optima/K5./

Kia K5 reveal hints at upcoming Optima

Next-gen Optima likely to follow Korean-market saloon, growing in size and gaining a new design

Kia has previewed the new Korean-market K5 fastback saloon, which hints at the design of the upcoming fifth-generation Optima, ahead of its release in December.

The pictures show several stylistic changes for the new car, which are likely to be adopted by the next generation of its European sister model. The Optima is expected to be unveiled within the next year.

The new car’s profile is now more muscular, due in part to the body being narrowed between its wheel arches and the greater swage lines adding heavier creases along its side panels. The windows receive chrome detailing and are frameless for the first time, with chrome touches extending to the rear bumper.


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K5 fastback shows off Kia's new design direction

Kia has released the first actual images of its new K5 sports sedan, which will also likely be sold as the new Optima in certain global markets.

Sadly, Kia South Africa has confirmed to us that the K5 is currently not under consideration for our market, although it is interesting to note that the newcomer showcases Kia’s new design direction, so other products that are on our horizon will no doubt have some of the styling flavour that you see here.

Measuring 4905mm in length and 1860mm in width, the new K5 is longer and wider than its predecessor, while a fastback silhouette, prominent creases and frameless windows lend it a more sporting presence.

At the front end we see what Kia calls the ‘Tiger Nose Evolution’, which takes the form of a wide 3D design that “integrates the grille and headlamps more organically than previous iterations”, Kia says. The grille is made with a matrix of interlocking details, and its texture is inspired by shark skin, while the swoopy daytime running light shape emulates a heartbeat monitor.

 
Holy Crap The New 2021 Kia Optima Looks Really Damn Good

In general, the Kia Optima (K5 in Korea) isn’t one of those cars you generally think about too much unless you’re looking down at the rental car keychain to remember what they gave you. But that’s not really a fair assessment: the Optima has been steadily and stealthily getting better and better looking over the years since its introduction in 2000. The latest 2021 version actually seems like a car you can’t ignore anymore. Kia just released the first official images of the South Korean-market K5, and it looks great.

While these images are technically the K5, the Optima version is almost certainly going to be effectively the same car.

 
Kia K5

Nearly a decade after the 2011 Kia Optima paved the way for one of the auto industry's most significant growth and achievement stories, Kia Motors America (KMA) is resetting expectations once again with the reveal of the all-new Kia K5 mid-size sedan. Representing one of the biggest leaps forward between generations in recent automotive history, the K5 celebrates this bold new chapter in Kia's story with an equally bold name to emphasize the mid-size sedan's revolutionary design, all-new safety and performance enhanced "N3" platform, turbocharged engines, available all-wheel drive, and high-impact technology. In other words, Kia's "Give It Everything" philosophy in the U.S. is evident and "alive" in this new machine.

But why try to reimagine the sedan, especially during a time when the market continues to shift towards crossovers and SUVs? Fueled by an unstoppable spirit to push harder and work smarter, Kia was determined to give it everything instead of giving up; completely rethinking the traditional sedan.

Going on sale in summer 2020, the Kia K5 will be available in four trim levels (LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX), with the adrenaline-fueled Kia K5 GT to follow in the fall 2020.


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Kia K5 GT


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A Kia Dealer Wants Nearly $50,000 For A K5

Would you pay BMW money for a midsize sedan that starts just over $30,000?

When Kia debuted the K5 GT a year or so ago, the brand had the gall to put it up against the BMW 330i with an AMCI independent test. The K5 won, beating the BMW in every metric from handling to acceleration tests. While that’s impressive, I don’t think the brand wanted to compete on performance and price. Unsurprisingly, one Kia dealer in Oregon thinks the K5 GT is worth nearly $50,000 as they’re marking one up accordingly.

I stumbled across this K5 as I’m car shopping myself. I’ve been intrigued by the Hyundai Sonata N-Line/Kia K5 GT. While they are the same car mechanically, I personally think the K5 looks better. But the chip shortage has appeared to hit Kia harder than other automakers. While I can find an ok (for what’s going on right now) number of Sonata N-Lines, this K5 GT at Power Kia in Salem, OR is one of just three in the entire country right now.

The MSRP of a K5 GT is just over $31,000. With the options, this particular GT has (mainly a $4,200 GT1 package) its price should be about $37,850.

This dealer said nope and slapped on a $10,000 markup to what should be a bargain-priced family “sport” sedan. Power Kia is asking $47,850. They want actual sport sedan money for this thing. Do you know what you can get for that price?

 
Kia Announces Pricing, Minor Changes for 2023 K5 Sedan

The K5 rules, and it looks like it’ll continue to be one of the best affordable mid-size sedans in 2023

Kia’s K5 has a dumb name, but it’s low-key one of the best affordable mid-size sedans that you can buy, and thanks to an announcement made by Kia on Tuesday, we know it’s getting just a little better for 2023.

The biggest changes to the 2023 K5 are the deletion of the previous base model LX trim and the removal of an all-wheel drive option from the now-base LXS trim. Simplified product stacks are generally a good thing, and four trim levels seem like plenty.

Also new is the option of a panoramic glass roof on the GT-line trim, which also includes LED interior lighting and blacked-out trim. Is it earth-shattering? Nope, but will it add some nice atmosphere to an already pleasant cabin? In the words of the late, great Robert Evans: “You bet your ass it will.”

Pricing for the 2023 Kia K5 LXS starts at an eminently reasonable $26,185, including a $1,095 destination fee, while the top-tier 2.5-liter turbocharged GT will run you just $32,585. That 2.5 turbo engine is a spicy one, too, with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The smaller 1.6-liter motor isn’t bad either, with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft.

 
Kia K5

Kia America chose the concrete corridors of the Chicago to pull the wraps off the refreshed 2025 K5 midsize sedan at the opening of the 2024 Chicago Auto Show. The show played host to the sporty sedan's North American debut, which features a new-for-K5 2.5-liter normally aspirated engine, updated design cues inside and out, drivetrain refinements and numerous tech upgrades across five trim levels: LXS, EX, GT-Line (in front or all-wheel drive) and the hot-blooded turbocharged GT.

"The K5 can be almost anything to anyone looking for a five-passenger midsize sedan," commented Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America. "With a lineup of variants, including available all-wheel drive for places just like Chicago in the wintertime, the new 2025 K5 continues to offer a unique and striking alternative in an otherwise stalwart segment. The updates for 2025 position the K5 in the sweet spot for those needing room for five but prefer to make a bold statement when it comes to their vehicle."

For the 2025 model year, subtle refinements highlight more standard features across the lineup with a focus on the popular EX trim. Standard items for the EX include a Bose Premium Audio System with Active Sound Design, a 10-way powered driver's seat includes two-way lumbar support. Digital Key 2.02, heated steering wheel, and power folding mirrors with integrated LED turn signals are all standard.

Designed to Stand Out

Already a standout in the midsize sedan segment, the 2025 Kia K5's design enhancements better align with Kia's Opposites United typography. Most notable are the new standard Star Map LED front DRLs. The standard amber positioning lights cut a striking eyebrow over the standard LED headlights and accentuate the leading edge of the front fender. Below these reside a new front fascia. While lower trims gain a darkened lower air intake opening, the GT nets dramatically flared satin-metal-look fins that angle upward, further defining the new honeycomb lower grille.


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