2021 KIA K5 EX Effectively Shakes Up the Crossover Market And Here is Why!

Most Americans in the market drool over SUVs and crossovers; after all, it’s all the rage these days. However, the 2021 KIA K5 EX sort of sneaks in through the backdoor to shake up our automotive world. As many automotive brands ramp up their SUV production, Kia, which sells around 6 SUVs here, has been working hard at reimagining the sedan; the result is the stunningly efficient 2021 KIA K5 EX. 

Why Is The 2021 KIA K5 EX Worth Considering? 

We’ll start by answering this question with the fact that the EX represents the high-end out of the 4 trims offered. The other lower-end ones include the GT, LXS and LX. The GT is an entirely different beast as we saw past winter, and for the sake of simplicity, we’ll focus on the EX, which we received for this review.

Starting at under $30k it offers excellent value. The exterior is surprisingly beautiful, with clean, bold lines, which never fails to turn heads. The wide and low build offers a rooted power racetrack feeling, a contemporary grill and a slick headlight design, which adds irresistible charm to the vehicle. It’s almost as though the K5 is making a fashion statement on your behalf. 

Performance and Efficiency 

The EX comes equipped with the standard 1.6L 4-cylinder turbo engine, delivering 180 hp, with 195 lb-ft of torque. On paper, we agree that the 2021 KIA K5 EX does not sound as powerful as it appears, but it performed surprisingly better. Acceleration and overall top speed are impressive, especially when compared to others in this segment. 

However, if you were to buy the 2021 KIA K5 EX as a daily driver, speed isn’t everything. While it does offer decent acceleration, it also boasts great control and handling. The N3 platform is wider, longer and lower than all previous models, giving it a rooted gravity centre. Plus, there is also an AWD feature for better traction when you need it. 

Excellent Interior 

While the exterior is admittedly impressive, KIA has worked just as hard on the interior. The finely made interior feels premium and nothing like any of the other sub $30k cars we’ve tested, for starters. The leather is of higher quality, the finishing is smoother, and the additional woodgrain gives it that much-needed touch of old-world charm. 

The 10-way adjustable seats for the driver and the 8-way adjustable for the passenger are also heated and ventilated. Rounding off an impressive interior is a 10.25″ touchscreen infotainment system, which supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Also, part of the package is a panoramic sunroof, which is standard with the EX and adds a new dynamic to the already premium interior.  

Final Verdict 

If you are looking for a killer-looking sedan with a decent amount of power under the hood, excellent driving dynamics and a premium interior, you can’t go wrong with the 2021 KIA K5 EX. In our opinion, it is a sedan that competes head-on with SUVs and Crossovers that cost more but offer less. If anything, the 2021 KIA K5 EX is value for money, punching above its weight in more ways than one, regardless of how you look at it.