Autoblog Reflects After Kia K5 Test Drive: “Cool, Comfy, and a Must-see”

 Autoblog Reflects After Kia K5 Test Drive: “Cool, Comfy, and a Must-see”

The sedan segment of the automotive market is one of the most fiercely contested, and the top engineers in the world are always making it difficult to stand out in the crowd. The 2021 Kia K5 that we have all shared so much anticipation for here at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis aims to do just that! After doing away with the long-standing Optima nameplate for the model's initial Korean market segment, the sedan then was treated with the most dramatic styling Kia has ever incorporated.  

The model is then graced with a high-quality interior, and driving experience that the Autoblog staff rendered as “exceedingly comfortable.” It shares the engine option with close relative Hyundai Sonata, the 1.6-Liter turbocharged 4-cylinder generating 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and fuel economy comes in at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. All-wheel drive will be an option with this engine, and coming later in the year the more powerful K5 GT will boast a 290-hp turbocharged 2-Liter engine. 

Kia is claiming that the 0-60 time will be just 5.8 seconds, which would be amazingly fast for a family sedan. When the Autoblog crew tested both the EX and GT-line models, they found the standard engine had plenty of torque to haul you around quickly, and the transmission provided smooth shifts during turns on winding roads. What was stressed here greatly was the comfort factor: the suspension allowed for easing along broken pavement without the sense of being disconnected, and the quiet cabin rendered it perfect for a long-distance cruiser. The upgrade to the GT line provides more aggressive grille mesh, a more distinct diffuser, quad exhaust tips and a spoiler.

Inside, each part of the dual-level dash is split by either some textured plastic or faux wood trim, and the air vents give off a modern aluminum vibe. The K5's seats offer very soft and thick cushions to provide extra comfort, and a generous amount of bolstering that results in more support for longer trips. An 8-inch infotainment screen is standard, with the opportunity available to upgrade to a 10.25-inch available. 

Some of the highlighted standard features included on the base K5 are 16-inch alloy wheels, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, driver inattention warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Delivering in areas that midsize buyers care about, possessing muscular good looks and a classy interior, and engaging and fun drive on the road are the attributes that will no doubt have many customers rushing in to experience a test drive of this awesome new sedan for themselves! 

Forbes Covers Kia Soul EV Makeover: Now Flaunts Double the Power

Peter Lyon of Forbes Magazine stated in his latest article that his first drive of the Kia Soul EV delivers “considerable punch and poise” for its price and that he was still heavily impressed after he sampled some of the latest and greatest. The Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model 3, and Porsche Taycan had already filled slots in his busy itinerary for the month, and one of his first sources of excitement was the fact that the new Soul EV now boasts twice the power output of the outgoing electric version, up from 109 hp to 201 hp while torque rises from 210 to 290 lb-ft.

The electric powertrain is taken from the inverter, motor, and batteries from the Niro EV, and placed into a more stylish and economical package. Now seeing its third generation a full decade after the original, It's more visually appealing with softened edges and a silhoutte that is a bit more gradual visually. A better sense of style is also accomplished with slim wraparound LED front lights providing 16 combinations of color and a sense that more close attention has been paid to design as the model is now increasing in importance and current relevance.

What all of us on sales and service staff at Jim Butler Kia of St Louis believe is that the largest highlight of the now improved Soul is its heightened range. The model is now slated to cover up to 280 miles on a single charge, and if you can find a 100kW quick charger, you can charge a battery around 40% in just 40 minutes. The key component to these extra miles is the newly fitted 64kWh liquid-cooled battery pack. These extras alone take the 0 – 60 mph times down from 9.7 to 7.2 seconds, and improve freeway driving stance drastically.

The Forbes testing team claims that the EV really excels on the road, with a firm and comfortable ride and “effortless” direction changing. Very responsive and grippy braking and an aggressive acceleration with Sport mode add a few extra layers of fun to the daily drive. Infotainment arrives through a 10.3-inch touchscreen which is very user-friendly, and the dash  provides a range indicator and other data such as outside temperature. When you finally get some downtime and are able to valiantly escape the cubicle with a few friends, we'd recommend the sound mood lighting system: the extra pulsing lights around the cabin really up the ante for a fun night out. We will keep you posted here on the blog as to what other publications and experts have to say about the Soul, and we fully endorse it as the perfect kilowatt-driven Christmas gift!