2021 Kia K5
Starting at
$23,490
2020 Kia Optima
Starting at
$23,390
| 180-290 | Horsepower (hp) | 185-245 |
8-speed automatic or
8-Speed Quick Shift DCT Auto | Available Transmissions | 6-Speed automatic or
7-Speed Dual Clutch |
| 5 | Available Trims | 5 |
Big things are happening over at Kia Motors, and the beneficiary of all this activity is the car-buying public. Kia’s lineup of new vehicles has never been more exciting than it is today. Even in vehicle categories that are traditionally more conservative, like sedans, Kia is making waves. Take the all-new 2021 K5. This dynamic, sleek sedan is not only beautiful outside, but packed with performance and tech features that will turn heads on the road and delight drivers everywhere. The dramatic changes and evolution of the Kia brand are no more obvious than when comparing the 2021 Kia K5 vs 2020 Kia Optima.
The Optima is a popular sedan and for a good reason: it’s reliable, safe, and roomy, all things sedan owners want. Unfortunately, its styling has aged, and as a result, consumers may decide that they’re looking for a vehicle with a little more curb appeal. That’s where the 2021 K5 comes in. For 2021, Kia will replace the Optima with the new K5, but why now? And how do these two vehicles differ?
When an automaker discontinues a nameplate, it usually means that whatever replaces that vehicle is completely new from the ground up. By creating an entirely new car—and nameplate––the automaker is letting the public know that the two vehicles may have next to nothing in common. It might help to dive deeper into the differences between these two Kia models in order to demonstrate this in real life.
Let’s look at the differences between the 2020 Kia Optima and the all-new 2021 Kia K5. We’ll examine the exterior, interior, and some performance stats in order to better understand the direction Kia is taking its next-generation sedan. Kia’s commitment to investing in the sedan category is evident in the K5’s complete rehaul.
Exterior
Styling and Design
When comparing two vehicles, often, it’s hard to find differences at first glance. This is not the case with the 2021 K5 vs the 2020 Optima. Virtually everything is different, including the vehicle’s curb appeal and profile. The new K5 is wider, longer, and lower profile than the Optima, which gives it a much more performance-oriented appearance.
This low profile stance is especially aggressive on the K5’s front end. Sleek, narrow headlights, and a sport grille combine to create a very distinctive look. The rear is styled almost like a hatchback or fastback-type of line, but the K5 still has a traditional trunk. In contrast, the Optima offers more of a traditional sedan design feel.
In keeping with the total ground-up redesign, the new K5 sits on an entirely new platform that is more lightweight and stable. Called the N3 platform, it adds 1.8-inches of wheelbase––the space between the front and rear tires––putting the wheelbase dimension at 112.2-inches. This allows for better interior space layouts.
Performance
Drivetrain
The K5 comes standard with front-wheel drive, but all-wheel drive is available. All-wheel drive is not available on the Optima. The option of all-wheel drive turns the K5 into a formidable all-weather option, making an even stronger case for those choosing a sedan over an SUV, even in areas where bad weather happens. Having that extra measure of protection against the elements is one of the main reasons buyers choose an SUV, even if they don’t want the extra bulk. Kia eliminates the need to settle, giving the K5 just as much road-handling ability as its larger crossover and SUV counterparts.
The 2021 Kia K5
The 2021 K5 offers two engines, including a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, standard on all K5 models except the GT, that offers 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. That’s a sizable amount of horsepower that will give drivers impressive acceleration without sacrificing fuel economy. Fuel economy is impressive at 29 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. Kia also offers a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine on the top-end K5 GT. Pumping out a heart-thumping 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, this engine puts the K5 GT squarely in competition with other sports car models.
The 2020 Kia Optima
The Optima, by contrast, offers a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine standard on its LX and S trim lines. With only 178 lb-ft of torque, drivers will find this car a little more sluggish when accelerating. The top-of-the-line Optima comes with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that falls short of the K5 GT in performance specs, providing 245 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque. Overall, the K5 offers a more varied lineup of performance options within its model range, and if sportiness and aggressive performance are at the top of the list, the K5 GT is the way to go.
Interior Features
The differences between these two cars aren’t just dramatic on the exterior: the interior of these vehicles could not be any different. Kia has designed the latest tech and infotainment features into the new K5, as well as a large suite of driver assist programs and systems to keep drivers and passengers as safe as technology allows. While similar options may be available on the Optima, the K5 is more advanced technologically.
Entertainment and Convenience Features
Starting with the interior look and feel, the K5 puts infotainment front and center, with an available 10.25-inch fully customizable touchscreen. The only available touchscreen on the Optima is 8-inches. The extra-large display turns the K5’s dash into a veritable control center, giving drivers better control of navigation, entertainment, and more. An available head-up display is another great driver feature on the all-new K5.
Kia incorporated a premium Bose audio system into the new K5. This system includes 12 Bose speakers placed strategically throughout the cabin to provide unparalleled acoustics. The Optima comes standard with a 6-speaker audio system on all models, except the EX Premium and SX, which offer a Harman Kardon system with just 10 speakers. Kia’s thoughtful layout of speakers gives everyone the best seat in the house for enjoying music on the road in the K5.
The K5 offers an immersive driving experience, with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that is customizable. There is also available ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, air purifying system, available panoramic sunroof, wireless charging pad, multiple USB ports, and heated and ventilated front seats, as well as available heated rear seats. This all adds up to a very luxurious interior combined perfectly with a modern, updated digital array for the driver. Kia refers to its driver’s seat as a ‘cockpit’ and with good reason. It’s an immersive driving experience that puts the driver firmly in control.
The Optima attempts to create a similar luxurious feel with leather seating and its own touchscreen display, but the interior shows its age with a somewhat dated feel and fewer lighting and display features. In a nutshell, the differences between these two vehicles really boil down to one, the K5, feeling a little bit more modern and edgy throughout.
Interior Space and Pricing
Overall, there is more space in the K5 than the Optima. While individual differences seem slight, even an extra inch can make an enormous difference for driver and passenger comfort. The K5 offers 40.2-inches of headroom in the front vs the Optima, which is under 40-inches. Other measurements, such as hip room, legroom, and total passenger volume, are all higher on the K5.
One thing that hasn’t changed much––and it’s very good news––is the base price. The 2021 Kia K5 starts at a very reasonable $23,490. The Optima, though it is an older model and set to be discontinued, starts at an MSRP of $23,390. What does this tell us? Kia has engineered a vehicle in the K5 that respects the budgets of its buyers while efficiently maximizing every opportunity to include exciting features that today’s buyers demand. Buyers get all that updated technology for $100 more, which is amazing.
Overall, the exciting new 2021 Kia K5 stands out when compared with its predecessor, the 2020 Optima. While there is overlap with some features, including Kia’s suite of driver assist technology, Kia wraps its offerings in a beautiful new package with the K5. It’s a challenge for an automaker to pull buyers away from the wildly popular crossover category because these vehicles offer fuel economy and extra space, along with all-wheel drive. In the K5, Kia shows a commitment to giving sedan-style buyers no reason to compromise.
