Kia's newest midsize car, the 2021 K5, will start at $24,455 and range up to nearly $36,000, a new order guide reveals. At the entry-level, that will make it just $100 more expensive than the outgoing Kia Optima ($24,355) and offer only a slight edge in price next to some of its main competitors in the segment.
With an MSRP of $24,455 after a destination fee of $965, the K5 LX will undercut the 2020 Hyundai Sonata SE ($24,575) by only $120 and offer a $520 advantage compared to a 2020 Honda Accord LX ($24,975). To put that into perspective, a 2020 Toyota Camry SE starts at $25,380, $925 more than the new K5.
Compared to the Optima, the K5 could come off as a relative bargain given that it's an all-new vehicle promising a new level of sportiness and looks inspired by the Stinger. Having said that, higher-performance configurations like the K5 GT with GT1 Package will approach nearly $36,000 with optional equipment.
In base form, the GT will start at $31,455 and will be the only way to get a new 2.5-liter turbo rated at 290 hp with 311 lb-ft of torque. Other styles (LX, LXS, GT-Line, and EX) will all come with a 1.6-liter turbo making 180 hp and 195 lb-ft. At that price, the GT will be $1,700 cheaper than an Optima SX Turbo ($33,155).
That said, stepping up to the GT1 Package adds $4,000, bringing the price to $35,455. Doing so adds a slew of extra tech like a more advanced driver assistance system with a navigation-based cruise control system, and features like 12-speaker Bose audio, ventilated front seats, LED headlights, memory seats, and more.
So will the GT be the K5 to get? In base form, it'll command a $2,500 premium over the EX ($27,990) but will be considerably more affordable than a Honda Accord 2.0T Sport ($32,315) and Toyota Camry TRD V6 ($32,125). Unfortunately, the new all-wheel-drive option will be limited to the LXS ($27,555) and GT-Line ($30,055)
However, this quirk in packaging isn't limited to just the K5. For reference, the Toyota Camry offers it starting with the 4-cylinder LE trim but doesn't offer it with the more powerful 301-hp V6. The Nissan Altima goes a similar route by offering all-wheel-drive with most trims except for the range-topping 248-hp 4-cylinder turbo.
When it arrives this summer, it appears the K5 will offer a competitively-priced option amidst a dwindling field of midsize cars. Having said that, our analysis finds that incentives on the outgoing Kia Optima remain extremely aggressive with up to $5,000 in savings, one of the largest discounts right now in the segment.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that all-wheel-drive will be limited to the GT-Line. It will in fact be available on the LXS as well.
Update: We've also learned that the K5 will debut with incentives for buying & leasing. Read our full analysis for details.
2021 Kia K5 Will Debut With Up To $2k Discount
Kia's New K5 Midsize Car Will Be Sportier Than Ever
2023 Kia K5 Dropping LX Trim, Limiting AWD Availability
Kia K5 vs. Hyundai Sonata
2021 Kia K5 Can Be Cheaper To Lease Than A Rio
