New Kia K5: Resetting the Standards

It’s been a decade since the 2011 Kia Optima revolutionized the industry’s standards for midsize sedans. That brings us to an ideal point in history for Kia to push things forward once again, and the introduction of the K5 mid-size sedan fulfills that vision.

Kia holds nothing back. K5’s Stinger design catches the eye immediately. Its all-new N3 safety and performance platform changes the game completely. It’s all-turbocharged engine lineup delivers the horsepower and torque to transform your driving experience. And its on-board technology elevates the driving experience to a new level, just as you’d expect an innovative Kia concept to do.

Let’s start with the way K5 introduces itself. It’s been described as “tiger face” with its wide and thin front grille, which extends into the headline and hood structure. The silhouette is low-slung and fast, with a chrome garnish that spans the rooftop and wraps around the rear glass. And if the front grille and dual chrome exhaust tip garnish make you think of shark skin, that’s probably not an accident.

Once you’re inside, get acquainted with the advanced N3 performance platform, which will be the signature platform of all Kia models in the foreseeable future. The N3 positions the K5 to sit longer, lower and wider than its predecessors. It delivers a deeper center of gravity that sets you up for a more exciting driving experience.

Among other benefits of the N3 platform, drivers can expect sportier handling, increased responsiveness and greater stability. Also, improved sound-deadening materials via the Active Sound Design results in a quieter ride in K5’s premium cabin.

But don’t confuse the quiet with a lack of power. K5’s 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produces 290 horsepower and 211 lb-ft of torque, while the available eight-speed “wet” dual-clutch transmission – developed in-house by Kia engineers – allows for fast and precise gearshifts.

Also available with a 1.6T engine is all-wheel drive, which provides all-weather capabilities. It’s an enhanced system that distributes torque between the front and rear wheels, and is able to recognize different road conditions and adjust the wheel distribution accordingly. It’s the first all-wheel drive on a Kia sedan that’s front-wheel drive based.

And don’t forget the in-cab technology, centered on high-resolution color touchscreens of either 8 or 10.25 inches. This is where you’ll control everything – from navigation to Bluetooth wireless connectivity — allowing two phones to connect simultaneously.

By the way, as if the ride wasn’t serene enough, you can indulge the “Sound of Nature” ambient system to complete the peaceful retreat experience of the K5. Or “heat the steering wheel” by voice command, using the natural language voice recognition software.

Once again, Kia has reset the standards for mid-size sedans with K5. Browse our selection of K5 vehicles at Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw today.