Oh my oh my oh my!!! Kia out here giving the midsize sedan segment the ol triple threat!!! I love them all!!! Totally agree with you that fake exhausts and vents should just go. The Stinger has some fake vents too, but overall Kia/Hyundai/Genesis are out here keeping sedans alive!!! Chevy, Ford and others should take notice. Excellent review by you here Alex.
Gm & Ford U.S. are no longer the competition for sedans, in fact they hardly produce cars. More profitable to sell ladder chassis, rigid rear axles cargo bed and v8 .That's the progress...
Well done Alex. Very thorough and informative. It's crazy to think that you did this on a compressed schedule. You left no stone unturned and provided more than enough information to make an informed decision regarding this car and the competition.
@@joshua9073 they're all getting stale actually. BMW G20 generation looks worse than the F30. Nissans have always been ugly. Lexus LC500 looks really good. But Kia is making the most progress in their design out of any company.
I have witnessed Samsung and LG surpassed Sony and panasonic 15 years ago and today I am witnessing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are about to say "bye" to its Asian competitors, Nissan, Toyota, and Honda. Korean wave is on fire these days.
They've been improving and I wouldn't be surprised to c them make better powertrain than competition soon. I hope their new 2.5 and 3.5 don't disappoint. Gotta be glad they at least keep developing without copying every1 with CVTs too
Taelor Watson That’s a whole lie, there are thousands of people with high mileages Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models well into the 200,000 mile mark....that unreliable shit isn’t accurate today
@@byronnasem4110 For the past five or so years the prices has been right about on par with Honda and Toyota, however most folks that have owned a Kia or Hyundai in the past five say that the durability of the cars has actually gone down a bit...so these Korean cars feel tired after 100k and servicing isn't as easy as most Japanese products either. I will say that between 2008 and say 2012 or so the durability of the Koreans was almost right on par with the Japanese competition but not any more for the time being. They are cutting costs on the hard parts to focus on style and features....
Unless Kia and Hyundai out do Honda and Mazda in terms of driving dynamics, I don't want to hear shit. I'll be honest, I'm looking at the Kia K5 as a potential buy, but like Hyundai, it probably offers a boring ride. Probably less boring than Hyundai.
G - i don’t know about the defects but Japanese car are looking like Nokia these days its like they made a pause 15yrs ago. 20 yrs ago Hyundai cars had a bad reputation around the globe.. its just a cheap low quality Honda. Even the name is similar to Honda. With the inflation and as Japanese cars prices increasing overtime. Hyundai started to slightly improve its quality and focus more on marketing the brand - putting more investments and efforts to the designs and over the years they became better and better in designs without neglecting the quality as well. Now the reputation changed to: Hyundai: 1- Beautiful cars 2- competitive prices and a lot many choices to consumers 3- solid quality Nissan: 1- hideous designs. 2- competitive prices but not many choices and features. 3- same quality reputation. So, Korean cars = Innovations and change. Japanese cars = quality. If Japanese companies don’t change strategy and course they will lose lot of market share to korean and Chinese cars by 2030.
ali al jabr yeah no… you under estimate how brand loyal Honda/Toyota car owners are. They ain’t switching any time soon especially to Chinese made crap.
So I finally bought a Kia K5 GT line White. Got a very good deal at MSRP considering the market today all the other dealerships I talked to wanted three to five $5,000 markup. The styling of the car is what really set it apart I was going to buy a Honda Accord but I saw that Accord around so much I seen it in every parking lot I seen Corollas in every parking lot and figured why blend in get something that's just as nice just as good but looks way cooler and distinct. Oh and I enjoy the show Alex you're one of the best car reviewers on TH-cam
…this is a well narrated review with zero garbage statements, no dumb opinions and great detail presented by an impartial and knowledgeable presenter - worth my time 😊 thank you
Not a fan of faux exhausts myself but it's worth noting that manufacturers have increasingly followed the trend because consumers consider visible chrome exhaust tips to be a sign of "performance" but don't like dealing with the grime and soot that accumulate on the surface of those tips, a result of increasingly stringent emission standards. Automotive designers are sometimes confronted with conflicting objectives. Trying to satisfy them is often a challenge and this is one example.
@bren rob Exactly. It's clear that this is designed to be utilized as a liftback but most of the recent models from all the automakers have had less usable awkward trunks . Makes ZERO sense.
Very impressive. I too, wish an all wheel variant 2.0 was available .... my wife insist on having all wheel drive/4-WD in anything we drive. On your approach of comparing and showing more detail in how the vehicles are different is spot on! Seeing the differences makes a huge factor to understand them. A+ ! It helps determine which model fits a person more easily.
KIA is a brand I used to never consider and now after owning a Hyundai and a Kia I LOVE them! IMO they're the best brand out there right now for value. And have to give Hyundai and KIA huge props for not putting Auto Start/Stop in several of their new vehicles, most of the public doesn't want it, so thank you for listening to us!
@@maxweinbach3996 Some vehicle's like the new Equinoxes and Terrains do not allow you to turn it off. Many new vehicle's have it but you have to turn the feature off every time the vehicle is started. For me I have days where I start my car 25+ times and I certainly do NOT want to have to turn off a pointless feature that many times in 1 day. For something that causes extra stress on vehicle components and that negligibly improves fuel economy it isn't worth it.
@@maxweinbach3996 If they gave a way to permanently disable it then I'd buy a vehicle with it, but I definitely don't want to buy one where it has to be disabled every time. It wouldn't be difficult for them to offer a permanent disable option under the settings tab.
It's ugly. It has poor craftsmanship. It won't keep any resale value. And it screams "cheap" to the world..because it IS cheap. Those aren't "haters". Those are people who enjoy quality, craftsmanship and retained value. And aren't afraid to pay for it. But you probably think a Big Mac is just as good a dinner as a rib eye steak..so..whatever..lol.
Your statement tells me that you don't actually know anything about the Kia of today, while most of the rest of us are informed. My current car that's in my garage is a Lexus GS 350, so your characterization of me is not accurate. I like this car because I'm smart, and not a brand snob.
Damn ventilated charge pad. I thought of a cooled charging area like cup holders are cooled in luxury cars but ventilated ones are a very interesting decision and in a mainstream car at that!
@@OM_42 Guess they are making the sonata the more luxury one and the k5 more sporty one. From Asian Petrohead's video months ago I dont think Korean will get the 2.5T+AWD
@@afcgeo882 "The K5’s starting price is 24 million won ($20,400), and it goes up to 34 million won depending on options." So i guess 30k usd for the most expensive 1.6 turbo version.
Dr Nisu Unn So they sell for the same price, approximately. Now consider that most parts (engines, transmissions, etc.) have to be imported into the US (with shipping and tariff costs) and you will see why there would not be a profit without lowering costs somehow.
Thanks Alex I couldn't wait for your review on the K5!! The younger version in me really wants the GT model so I can't wait for your review on that. I absolutely love Kia as of late. I mean they have one hell of a line up, they have good vehicles for everyone. Their power train and driving dynamics seems to be improving dramatically and their design language stands out not always perfect, but sets itself apart. When I look at Kia now I don't think cheap budget, settle for, unreliable alternatives. I look at them now as bold, the go to, feature rich, fun, well balanced, valued, unique, smart and affordable choice. And let's not forget that all important warranty too boot. You gotta love Kia. Thanks again Alex see you soon with the GT model.
Your attention to detail is incredible. I love your reviews. I just bought this in wolf grey with the red seats and AWD. I can't wait until its delivered to the dealership I should have it by the end of the week. I drove the top of the line Camry and loved it but this was so good it made my decision easy.
Thanks for always amazing videos Alex! I live/work in Korea. A co worker of mine has a K5 here in Korea, there is an AMAZING feature here that I don’t think they’ve exported. For example, when he made a turn left, hit the turn signal, as soon as the turn signal is activated, the Tachometer on the dash is a LCD, and the tach disappeared and an external camera facing the left side blind spot activated. So not only did he have the blind spot monitoring (small red light on the side mirror) but also the very clear camera facing that side blind spot so you could really see what’s there without turning your head. Same would happen when turning right, only the dial speedometer would disappear. You’d still have your speed visible from the center of the dish display. I thought this was FANTASTIC!!! I’m wondering if it’s known: is korea simply holding this for their home market? Or is the feature not available in the US market due to regulation or something? Many thanks and love your channel! Cheers
I'm not really surprised that they decided not to bring the hybrid over. In my anecdotal experience talking with other Americans, they still mostly don't think twice about their environmental impact, and most people are still very unaware of the way hybrids work (namely, that most don't plug-in). It is a shame though; I bought a '20 Sonata Hybrid Blue a week and a half ago and am so far, over ~600 miles of driving, averaging around 55mpg; I couldn't be happier with my big beautiful efficient blue (...the color of the car) purchase.
I suspect the Sonata Hybrid is one reason they aren't bringing a K5 Hybrid. They do compete directly, and the parent company may feel there is only enough demand for one of the two. Given Kia's sportier image, it made sense to give If Hyundai the hybrid.
@@Columbus1152 Possibly, but public reluctance to adopt to even hybrid cars--which require absolutely no change in consumer behavior--says that it will be much, much longer until electrics substantially displace cars with ICEs.
@@aquaticko -The deterrents to electric was range and infrastructure, they are both being continuously improved. The problem with hybrid has always been the cost.
I like the new 3 camera viewing angles while you are driving; this makes your video stand out and be unique. I like that your reviews are comprehensive and you mention about baby car seats and trunk practicality.
I’m very impressed with this car; glad they haven’t left sedans behind like other manufacturers. Choosing between the Sonata and the K5 just became as difficult as choosing between the Palisade and the Telluride.
While very enticing, it's difficult to get the right packages with the K5. AWD is available only on 2 trims: LXS and GT-Line. The latter is much better equipped *because* you have to choose a $3700 package with AWD. It has some nice things but also things you may not want to pay for and you can get a Camry for less, without these extra things. Even with that expensive package, you still get the smaller screen and you need to add yet another $800 to fix that. The LXS has the 205 tires, below the competition, and cannot be had with the radar cruise control as well as other equipment from the GT-Line. With better package options, it would be an easier choice. Still, very appealing contender.
As an owner of 3 of the newest Optimas...I was surprised that the trunk lost the easy pull down feature inside the trunk lid! Also no cover for the trunk struts!! Even our 2011 LX looked complete with them. (sold) No mention if the red leather was Nappa or if they've found a new more affordable supplier. Thanks Alex great review!
Drove a K5 for over a week while my Honda Pilot was in the shop after someone hit me. I liked it immediately; it's a great looking car, pretty fun to drive. The Smart driving mode is pretty cool, but the Sport driving mode needs some work. In Sport mode the transmission tries to stay in the upper gears, but I mean they REALLY want to stay in the upper gears. There were times it just would not shift even though it needed to, the shifting profiles need some work. My other issue was after a week in this car, my back really hurt and I definitely think it was the seats; they just were not comfortable for me at all. Other than that, I really enjoyed this car.
@hiroshima thompson Don't forget the forthcoming KIA Sorento. Design cues from the Telluride. Packed with tech and offering (surprisingly accommodating) third row seating in a footprint that puts it in the midsize 2 row category.
Nice review but vloggers keep imitating each other by saying how these Asian automakers haven't gotten the message that Americans don't buy sedans anymore. That might be true but sedans are much more popular in Asia than SUVs and trucks (almost no one buys pickup trucks in Asia, even people who ned to haul--they buy lorries which are far more practical than pickups). Asian automakers are designing lots of cars for their own markets and send a small number of them to the US.
I wish that Kia would offer the GT-Line with an EX premium package to give it ventilated front seats, a 7" gauge cluster display, the 360° camera system, the 12 speaker Bose audio system, heated rear seats, rear manual side window shades, a wireless smartphone charging pad, & a Head-Up Display. Or at least offer those features on the EX trim with AWD & the LED foglights. I don't understand the logic of the some of the configuration options. You can only get heated front seats with the GT-Line which is frustrating because that's the only trim available with AWD
"For reasons that cannot be explained, Kia is doubling down on mid-sized sedans. " Pretty clear, it's because they are selling them, and someone must be buying them.. I am on my 4th KIA and love them.
This sedan looks very nice- I just purchased a 2020 Subaru Legacy Limited because I was able to make a good deal on it plus the 63 0% interest help seal the deal. I am still a fan of sedans. Our daughter will get our 2014 Mazda6 touring. She just needs to learn how to drive a 6 speed (just turned 16- just got permit).
My problem is the interior, which is no better than the current Optima The current Optima is better looking, with just as nice an interior The only K5 I'd be interested in is the 290 HP Turbo with AWD So this lacks the nice interior of the Sonata, or the powertrain it needs to stand out. It's a double swing and miss
Woke AF The Sonata and K5 share almost the same power trains, the Sonata uses the naturally aspirated 2.0 on base trims and the 1.6 on upper trims, so idk how it’s a swing and miss
It would be such a great car but for absolutely no reason they fcked it up and don't offer a lot of features, not even the digital dash, this is ridiculous, Kia has to listen and FIX THAT IMMEDIATELY! And fire the moron who is responsible! In other markets this car is already available with a ton of additional features not offered in the US at all, this is insane!
@Pauline Weinberger they dont need to look at other markets to see that they cant get many features on this model, i only brought up other markets to prove that the car is already being built with more equipment, it is just not offered in the US for no reason
The price is the issue. The US is extremely competitive when it comes to price. A Kia that sells for $28k in the US sells for $35k in Europe. That means they have to lower their costs to make some profit.
0:30 Alex says 2020 Gen5 Kia K5 is surprising because previous Gen4 was only on sale for 5 years... 2000-2005, Gen1 life cycle = 5 years 2005-2010, Gen2 life cycle = 5 years 2010-2015, Gen3 life cycle = 5 years 2015-2020, Gen4 life cycle = 5 years ??
I was waiting for my favorite reviewer to review the car I am most excited about! I just wish he compared it against the Sonata, since that is it's closest rival.
My impression of the designs is that they seem to reflect some of the same differences in priorities found in the Palisade vs the Telluride. The Sonata emits a more near luxury vibe and the K5 a sportier image. Despite the shared components in Hyundai and KIA vehicles, the design teams are rigidly separated. The result is that Hyundai and KIA manage to offer slightly different vehicles in the same market segment that broadens their combined appeal.
Im surprised that noone has designed any hatchback type sedans except for the stinger over recent years. I mean everyone is buying crossovers for their space but yet noone is making the sedan more practical. Some people do not want the worse handling suvs and rather have sedans/ hatches/ wagons. We are out there
Our thought too. If the K5 was a hatchback, with the AWD that would make it a true SUV alternative. We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one.
My lease on my Forte is almost up and I am seriously thinking about going for one of these K5s plus might get one for my wife too. I like white exterior and for her she likes red.
Thanks Alex. It’s good to know 235mm tires won’t ruin fuel economy. I’ll definitely replace those terrible 225mm Energy Saver on Accord hybrid with 235mm Touring tires...
You have no idea how many talked that took. I was trying to squeeze Soul in there too, but it didn’t work out. Something about fuel economy never really being their forte but they are working hard to change the soul of the company....
Great review again as always. I’m quite bummed on the decision to not pair AWD with the GT 2.5. I was actually going to possibly consider that pairing as an incentive to possibly shop it eventually. Instead I might just have to look at an off-lease Genesis G70 2.0t Sport AWD or a Stinger GT2 AWD. Maybe Kia will consider something like an N-line for the K5 that takes the GT specs to another level eventually?
I just bought a stinger gt and let me tell you man, the amount of attention the car gets is crazy. Also the performance is fantastic, you're gonna be faster then most every day cars on the road.
@hiroshima thompson Apples and oranges, I think. The Stinger is an American-ized version of a European GT sedan. The K5 is a sporty take on a traditional "family" sedan. KIA (and Hyundai) do an awesome job of slicing market segments into sub-segments that appeal to distinct sets of buyers.
We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one. Accord is still our favorite with a little more polish and quality but the K5 is more fun to drive.
Whenever a car manufacturer introduces a new generation of sedan, they always lower overall height. Someday there will no ground clearance. And also I hate shrinking headroom, especially 2nd row.
Why are you surprised no AWD on the bigger turbo. Its obvious there will be no reason to get the stinger. Same why every manufacturer will never do it if they have a luxury model or brand
@hiroshima thompson I don't want to choose between them, I want it all, which is what the old Optima allowed. Kia sees Hyundai as a competitor, this isn't a GMC/Chevy situation. Kia is rushing the new Cadenza because the Hyundai Grandeur is killing it in sales. Hopefully Alex will chime in if he knows anything. Either way, I'm crossing this off my list. I love my 2016 optima sxl, but there's too little too make me want to jump. I'll look at a Cadenza, stinger or G80.
@@johnfranklin5277 No, you are wrong. Hyundai sees Kia as a competitor in their markets and vice-versa, and Kia *is* concerned about the Grandeur, which has been taking market share. The Hyundai/Kia relationship is not like Chevy/GMC. Hyundai owns a significant stake in Kia, but Kia makes it's own decisions with far more autonomy than GM's various business units.
Awesome looking car! Is going to give everyone a run for their money. GT-line isn’t worth it. Get the Ex fully loaded or wait for the full GT model coming soon. Needs digital dash
Hyundai and Kia is doing very well with new vehicles that they actually managed to make profit in times of Covid whereas most other manufacturers lost huge money.
Kia is on to something. This is a great start to their fresh and upcoming line up. Look for Kia products to implement these kinds of attributes from hear on.
The Stinger falls into the “large sedan” category according to IIHS and Consumer Reports, so considering this is longer and wider, it should slot into large sedan category. I own a Stinger GT and it’s long, so this is very large.
Kia isn't playing games. They are knocking it out of the park. It's beautiful.
Ur beautiful
I really like the new Sonata but, damnit, I just like the K5's looks so much better.
If you like this k5 review you'll love this
th-cam.com/video/d-WPLlcNXZc/w-d-xo.html
I just got mine yesterday!
K5 has a better looking exterior but the sonata has a better looking interior.
ashutosh gupta I agree with you Ashutosh!
@@johnlingenfelter9043 k5?
Kia and Hyundai have really been upping their game lately, I wouldn't consider their cars before but damn... I do now.
All of mine have been smooth efficient and flawless
@@joshua9073 Yep my 3 flawless 390000 miles between all three starting with an 11 Optima.
@@chasl3645
That’s awesome !
We currently also have a high milage Kia and my father said he won’t ever sell it
Now this is a sedan I would purchase
If you like this k5 review you'll love this
th-cam.com/video/d-WPLlcNXZc/w-d-xo.html
God I love that front end. Looks so sharp.
Yeah but the cousin 2021 Sonata interior looks much better.
Your both worried about looks to much. Lol
@@DS..69 Don't be so naive, good looks on a car, have sold millions of mediocre vehicles.
@@johnfranklin5277 Said only you. Lmao
@@DS..69 You only think good looks don't matter, because that's what your parents keep telling you.....
People can hate on Hyundai/Kia but no one can deny if the big boys don't start improving on some things the Koreans will become a top choice period
Oh my oh my oh my!!! Kia out here giving the midsize sedan segment the ol triple threat!!! I love them all!!! Totally agree with you that fake exhausts and vents should just go. The Stinger has some fake vents too, but overall Kia/Hyundai/Genesis are out here keeping sedans alive!!! Chevy, Ford and others should take notice. Excellent review by you here Alex.
Kia gotta give em the ole razzle dazzle
I wonder if you can buy extended tips similarly shaped and position them diagonally under the fake ones.. Kinda like ISF style.
Kia’s forte...I saw what you did there. Great review, as always, Alex.
Gm & Ford U.S. are no longer the competition for sedans, in fact they hardly produce cars. More profitable to sell ladder chassis, rigid rear axles cargo bed and v8 .That's the progress...
I agree with you Mario
However, Ford actually tried to make a luxury sedan that is Lincoln but no one bought it people aren’t buying sedans in the US
Well done Alex. Very thorough and informative. It's crazy to think that you did this on a compressed schedule. You left no stone unturned and provided more than enough information to make an informed decision regarding this car and the competition.
I don’t think he opened the glovebox or let us listen to the Audio but he always goes good
Kia has been on fire lately. They’re making the best looking cars out of any company.
Any company?
Omg that’s a bold statement lol. What about Mazda, Volvo, Audi, Mercedes & BMW, or Lexus and Nissan ?
Joshua Michael he’s wearing Kia glasses😂
@@joshua9073 they're all getting stale actually. BMW G20 generation looks worse than the F30. Nissans have always been ugly. Lexus LC500 looks really good. But Kia is making the most progress in their design out of any company.
Honda civic type r has something to say about your comment
I have witnessed Samsung and LG surpassed Sony and panasonic 15 years ago and today I am witnessing Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis are about to say "bye" to its Asian competitors, Nissan, Toyota, and Honda.
Korean wave is on fire these days.
Their engines & transmissions rarely last 100k miles
They've been improving and I wouldn't be surprised to c them make better powertrain than competition soon. I hope their new 2.5 and 3.5 don't disappoint. Gotta be glad they at least keep developing without copying every1 with CVTs too
Taelor Watson That’s a whole lie, there are thousands of people with high mileages Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models well into the 200,000 mile mark....that unreliable shit isn’t accurate today
@@byronnasem4110 For the past five or so years the prices has been right about on par with Honda and Toyota, however most folks that have owned a Kia or Hyundai in the past five say that the durability of the cars has actually gone down a bit...so these Korean cars feel tired after 100k and servicing isn't as easy as most Japanese products either. I will say that between 2008 and say 2012 or so the durability of the Koreans was almost right on par with the Japanese competition but not any more for the time being. They are cutting costs on the hard parts to focus on style and features....
Unless Kia and Hyundai out do Honda and Mazda in terms of driving dynamics, I don't want to hear shit. I'll be honest, I'm looking at the Kia K5 as a potential buy, but like Hyundai, it probably offers a boring ride. Probably less boring than Hyundai.
Hyundai and kia are thriving while Nissan is falling
Dont forget Mazda & Toyota. Toyota can't release a car without it being defective 🤣
Hyundai has a lot of money and lower product costs. Nissan hasn't had good management for at least 25 years
G - i don’t know about the defects but Japanese car are looking like Nokia these days its like they made a pause 15yrs ago.
20 yrs ago Hyundai cars had a bad reputation around the globe.. its just a cheap low quality Honda. Even the name is similar to Honda.
With the inflation and as Japanese cars prices increasing overtime. Hyundai started to slightly improve its quality and focus more on marketing the brand - putting more investments and efforts to the designs and over the years they became better and better in designs without neglecting the quality as well.
Now the reputation changed to:
Hyundai:
1- Beautiful cars
2- competitive prices and a lot many choices to consumers
3- solid quality
Nissan:
1- hideous designs.
2- competitive prices but not many choices and features.
3- same quality reputation.
So,
Korean cars = Innovations and change.
Japanese cars = quality.
If Japanese companies don’t change strategy and course they will lose lot of market share to korean and Chinese cars by 2030.
ali al jabr yeah no… you under estimate how brand loyal Honda/Toyota car owners are. They ain’t switching any time soon especially to Chinese made crap.
G - a Hyundai won’t last nearly as long as Toyota or Honda. They’re good for about 100k/150k till they start falling apart.
So I finally bought a Kia K5 GT line White. Got a very good deal at MSRP considering the market today all the other dealerships I talked to wanted three to five $5,000 markup. The styling of the car is what really set it apart I was going to buy a Honda Accord but I saw that Accord around so much I seen it in every parking lot I seen Corollas in every parking lot and figured why blend in get something that's just as nice just as good but looks way cooler and distinct. Oh and I enjoy the show Alex you're one of the best car reviewers on TH-cam
The new front reminds me of a modern take on the early 2000s Mitsubishi Galant. Overall I really like this new design.
You speak fast enough to keep me interested and slow enough where I take in what you're saying. Bravo
6:37 It is a law of nature that Alex must make that pun whenever he talks about Kia
That’s Alex’s Forte when discussing Kia
…this is a well narrated review with zero garbage statements, no dumb opinions and great detail presented by an impartial and knowledgeable presenter - worth my time 😊 thank you
Not a fan of faux exhausts myself but it's worth noting that manufacturers have increasingly followed the trend because consumers consider visible chrome exhaust tips to be a sign of "performance" but don't like dealing with the grime and soot that accumulate on the surface of those tips, a result of increasingly stringent emission standards. Automotive designers are sometimes confronted with conflicting objectives. Trying to satisfy them is often a challenge and this is one example.
Good looking car, it really should be a liftback. And where are the rear window sunshades!! They're on the KDM car!
They don't want to cut into stinger sales since it's a liftback.
tdam01 “sales” is a generous word
Every mid-size should be a lift back I think if they want that segment to survive CUV/SUV onslaught
@bren rob
Exactly. It's clear that this is designed to be utilized as a liftback but most of the recent models from all the automakers have had less usable awkward trunks . Makes ZERO sense.
No digital panel as well... sigh
Very impressive. I too, wish an all wheel variant 2.0 was available .... my wife insist on having all wheel drive/4-WD in anything we drive.
On your approach of comparing and showing more detail in how the vehicles are different is spot on! Seeing the differences makes a huge factor to understand them. A+ ! It helps determine which model fits a person more easily.
Kia is so different from what I remember. They are a force to be reckoned with. Love it
KIA is a brand I used to never consider and now after owning a Hyundai and a Kia I LOVE them! IMO they're the best brand out there right now for value. And have to give Hyundai and KIA huge props for not putting Auto Start/Stop in several of their new vehicles, most of the public doesn't want it, so thank you for listening to us!
Even if it has it, can't you just turn that feature off?
@@maxweinbach3996 Some vehicle's like the new Equinoxes and Terrains do not allow you to turn it off. Many new vehicle's have it but you have to turn the feature off every time the vehicle is started. For me I have days where I start my car 25+ times and I certainly do NOT want to have to turn off a pointless feature that many times in 1 day. For something that causes extra stress on vehicle components and that negligibly improves fuel economy it isn't worth it.
Zach L perhaps the better choice is for the manufacturers to allow you to disable and save that feature instead of removing it completely.
@@maxweinbach3996 If they gave a way to permanently disable it then I'd buy a vehicle with it, but I definitely don't want to buy one where it has to be disabled every time. It wouldn't be difficult for them to offer a permanent disable option under the settings tab.
Zach L agreed. Some manufacturers do
i watch a lot of car reviews and this is one of the best i have seen so far this year, well done!
Haters will be like “it’s still a kia” 😂
“Stupid haters”
It's ugly. It has poor craftsmanship. It won't keep any resale value. And it screams "cheap" to the world..because it IS cheap. Those aren't "haters". Those are people who enjoy quality, craftsmanship and retained value. And aren't afraid to pay for it. But you probably think a Big Mac is just as good a dinner as a rib eye steak..so..whatever..lol.
Nightbird Thanks for your opinion
@@ATH-camChannelwithNoName My pleasure.
Your statement tells me that you don't actually know anything about the Kia of today, while most of the rest of us are informed. My current car that's in my garage is a Lexus GS 350, so your characterization of me is not accurate. I like this car because I'm smart, and not a brand snob.
Damn ventilated charge pad. I thought of a cooled charging area like cup holders are cooled in luxury cars but ventilated ones are a very interesting decision and in a mainstream car at that!
I love that slick " while fuel economy hasnt always been Kia's Forte" line lol
Also, the korean one gets 360 cam and full digital screen instrumentpanel
Yes this is a downgrade from the Korean version of this car. They probably did it to keep costs down.
@@OM_42 Guess they are making the sonata the more luxury one and the k5 more sporty one. From Asian Petrohead's video months ago I dont think Korean will get the 2.5T+AWD
How much does the Korean one with those features cost?
@@afcgeo882 "The K5’s starting price is 24 million won ($20,400), and it goes up to 34 million won depending on options."
So i guess 30k usd for the most expensive 1.6 turbo version.
Dr Nisu Unn So they sell for the same price, approximately. Now consider that most parts (engines, transmissions, etc.) have to be imported into the US (with shipping and tariff costs) and you will see why there would not be a profit without lowering costs somehow.
Thanks Alex I couldn't wait for your review on the K5!! The younger version in me really wants the GT model so I can't wait for your review on that. I absolutely love Kia as of late. I mean they have one hell of a line up, they have good vehicles for everyone. Their power train and driving dynamics seems to be improving dramatically and their design language stands out not always perfect, but sets itself apart. When I look at Kia now I don't think cheap budget, settle for, unreliable alternatives. I look at them now as bold, the go to, feature rich, fun, well balanced, valued, unique, smart and affordable choice. And let's not forget that all important warranty too boot. You gotta love Kia. Thanks again Alex see you soon with the GT model.
Your attention to detail is incredible. I love your reviews. I just bought this in wolf grey with the red seats and AWD. I can't wait until its delivered to the dealership I should have it by the end of the week. I drove the top of the line Camry and loved it but this was so good it made my decision easy.
"Not Kia's Forte" HA! I see what you did there :)
Alex manages to insert that pun in a number of his KIA reviews. We forgive him. :)
Real exhaust tips and l.e.d rear turn signals and reverse lights. Its almost 2021! Cmon car companies!
I'm with you, Alex. Really not a fan of the fake exhaust, at all. Seems very unnecessary and I don't like the way the look.
235 tires get 34MPG, WOW!I I'm impressed. Korean cars were lagging on the fuel econemy scores. Looks like they have finally figure it out.
We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one.
Thanks for always amazing videos Alex!
I live/work in Korea. A co worker of mine has a K5 here in Korea, there is an AMAZING feature here that I don’t think they’ve exported. For example, when he made a turn left, hit the turn signal, as soon as the turn signal is activated, the Tachometer on the dash is a LCD, and the tach disappeared and an external camera facing the left side blind spot activated. So not only did he have the blind spot monitoring (small red light on the side mirror) but also the very clear camera facing that side blind spot so you could really see what’s there without turning your head. Same would happen when turning right, only the dial speedometer would disappear. You’d still have your speed visible from the center of the dish display.
I thought this was FANTASTIC!!! I’m wondering if it’s known: is korea simply holding this for their home market? Or is the feature not available in the US market due to regulation or something?
Many thanks and love your channel! Cheers
I like exhaust tips for the same reason I like fake intake grills upfront, they add symmetry an interest to a big empty area.
Wow, one of the best detailed yet entertaining video, well done job
Agreed. Alex is the best of the big timers.
I'm not really surprised that they decided not to bring the hybrid over. In my anecdotal experience talking with other Americans, they still mostly don't think twice about their environmental impact, and most people are still very unaware of the way hybrids work (namely, that most don't plug-in). It is a shame though; I bought a '20 Sonata Hybrid Blue a week and a half ago and am so far, over ~600 miles of driving, averaging around 55mpg; I couldn't be happier with my big beautiful efficient blue (...the color of the car) purchase.
I suspect the Sonata Hybrid is one reason they aren't bringing a K5 Hybrid. They do compete directly, and the parent company may feel there is only enough demand for one of the two. Given Kia's sportier image, it made sense to give If Hyundai the hybrid.
All electrics and improved battery technology are going to make hybrids obsolete within the next few years
@@Columbus1152 Possibly, but public reluctance to adopt to even hybrid cars--which require absolutely no change in consumer behavior--says that it will be much, much longer until electrics substantially displace cars with ICEs.
@@aquaticko -The deterrents to electric was range and infrastructure, they are both being continuously improved. The problem with hybrid has always been the cost.
@@Columbus1152 Electric cars are not going to take over the market for at least 7-10 years
I like the new 3 camera viewing angles while you are driving; this makes your video stand out and be unique. I like that your reviews are comprehensive and you mention about baby car seats and trunk practicality.
A++ on those puns, wonderfully executed.
Another home run from Kia. This K5 is really nice on all aspects. The GT probably is going to be amazing. Great Job Kia!
I’m very impressed with this car; glad they haven’t left sedans behind like other manufacturers. Choosing between the Sonata and the K5 just became as difficult as choosing between the Palisade and the Telluride.
While very enticing, it's difficult to get the right packages with the K5.
AWD is available only on 2 trims: LXS and GT-Line. The latter is much better equipped *because* you have to choose a $3700 package with AWD. It has some nice things but also things you may not want to pay for and you can get a Camry for less, without these extra things. Even with that expensive package, you still get the smaller screen and you need to add yet another $800 to fix that.
The LXS has the 205 tires, below the competition, and cannot be had with the radar cruise control as well as other equipment from the GT-Line.
With better package options, it would be an easier choice.
Still, very appealing contender.
Agreed. We found the options and trim packages odd. We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one.
As an owner of 3 of the newest Optimas...I was surprised that the trunk lost the easy pull down feature inside the trunk lid! Also no cover for the trunk struts!! Even our 2011 LX looked complete with them. (sold) No mention if the red leather was Nappa or if they've found a new more affordable supplier. Thanks Alex great review!
Oh my, Korean cars are becoming so good!
Kia is providing superb value, and reliability. Best warranty in the business. I've had four Kias ... the latest is a Stinger.
Drove a K5 for over a week while my Honda Pilot was in the shop after someone hit me. I liked it immediately; it's a great looking car, pretty fun to drive. The Smart driving mode is pretty cool, but the Sport driving mode needs some work. In Sport mode the transmission tries to stay in the upper gears, but I mean they REALLY want to stay in the upper gears. There were times it just would not shift even though it needed to, the shifting profiles need some work. My other issue was after a week in this car, my back really hurt and I definitely think it was the seats; they just were not comfortable for me at all. Other than that, I really enjoyed this car.
We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one.
Just saw one being test driven. Looks sooo nice😍 kia telluride and k5 are real head turners. Gj kia!! 👍
@hiroshima thompson haha. So true ☝
@hiroshima thompson Don't forget the forthcoming KIA Sorento. Design cues from the Telluride. Packed with tech and offering (surprisingly accommodating) third row seating in a footprint that puts it in the midsize 2 row category.
G70 wagon. Nuff said.
Mazda can do full LED lights and real exhaust tips.
The K5 update is very nice. I would go the 2.5L turbo. And yeah, the 10yr/100k mile warranty. And no CVT!!
Thank you Alex this was very helpful & informative! I like the K5 and I’m thankful for Kia bringing us sedans
the kia badge is getting more and more attractive. their cars are outstanding
Nice review but vloggers keep imitating each other by saying how these Asian automakers haven't gotten the message that Americans don't buy sedans anymore. That might be true but sedans are much more popular in Asia than SUVs and trucks (almost no one buys pickup trucks in Asia, even people who ned to haul--they buy lorries which are far more practical than pickups). Asian automakers are designing lots of cars for their own markets and send a small number of them to the US.
I love how Alex teleports himself around the screen... That's a super neat trick!
I wish that Kia would offer the GT-Line with an EX premium package to give it ventilated front seats, a 7" gauge cluster display, the 360° camera system, the 12 speaker Bose audio system, heated rear seats, rear manual side window shades, a wireless smartphone charging pad, & a Head-Up Display. Or at least offer those features on the EX trim with AWD & the LED foglights. I don't understand the logic of the some of the configuration options. You can only get heated front seats with the GT-Line which is frustrating because that's the only trim available with AWD
"For reasons that cannot be explained, Kia is doubling down on mid-sized sedans. " Pretty clear, it's because they are selling them, and someone must be buying them.. I am on my 4th KIA and love them.
I like that Kia gives you a choice of midsize sedans. K5 looks would be my pick.
I like their design for the wireless charging!
I prefer the one with fog light on the front, design wise!
This sedan looks very nice- I just purchased a 2020 Subaru Legacy Limited because I was able to make a good deal on it plus the 63 0% interest help seal the deal. I am still a fan of sedans. Our daughter will get our 2014 Mazda6 touring. She just needs to learn how to drive a 6 speed (just turned 16- just got permit).
My problem is the interior, which is no better than the current Optima
The current Optima is better looking, with just as nice an interior
The only K5 I'd be interested in is the 290 HP Turbo with AWD
So this lacks the nice interior of the Sonata, or the powertrain it needs to stand out. It's a double swing and miss
I agree.
Woke AF The Sonata and K5 share almost the same power trains, the Sonata uses the naturally aspirated 2.0 on base trims and the 1.6 on upper trims, so idk how it’s a swing and miss
It would be such a great car but for absolutely no reason they fcked it up and don't offer a lot of features, not even the digital dash, this is ridiculous, Kia has to listen and FIX THAT IMMEDIATELY! And fire the moron who is responsible! In other markets this car is already available with a ton of additional features not offered in the US at all, this is insane!
Plus the shifter knob looks horrible, it’s really makes the interior look cheap.
@Pauline Weinberger they dont need to look at other markets to see that they cant get many features on this model, i only brought up other markets to prove that the car is already being built with more equipment, it is just not offered in the US for no reason
@Pauline Weinberger for example the digital dashboard with blind spot camera view offered in Sonata, Telluride, etc.
The price is the issue. The US is extremely competitive when it comes to price. A Kia that sells for $28k in the US sells for $35k in Europe. That means they have to lower their costs to make some profit.
Nice, clear analysis and demonstration of these Kias. Well done and very informative! Thanks!
The front end looks nice. REALLY nice compared to the silly gaping maws that you see on Lexus and other cars these days.
0:30 Alex says 2020 Gen5 Kia K5 is surprising because previous Gen4 was only on sale for 5 years...
2000-2005, Gen1 life cycle = 5 years
2005-2010, Gen2 life cycle = 5 years
2010-2015, Gen3 life cycle = 5 years
2015-2020, Gen4 life cycle = 5 years
??
The 9th gen accord was 5 years. Sometimes he just doesn’t know what he’s talking about and it’s very hard to watch.
For Kia the life-cycle is consistent, but for much of the competition the usual cycle is 6 years with a refresh at year 3.
@@theyadmire511 Alex is the man, dont even try it
Hey Alex... big fan love the in depth reviews. Can you do a review on a 2022 Kia stinger Gt-line.
I was waiting for my favorite reviewer to review the car I am most excited about! I just wish he compared it against the Sonata, since that is it's closest rival.
My impression of the designs is that they seem to reflect some of the same differences in priorities found in the Palisade vs the Telluride. The Sonata emits a more near luxury vibe and the K5 a sportier image. Despite the shared components in Hyundai and KIA vehicles, the design teams are rigidly separated. The result is that Hyundai and KIA manage to offer slightly different vehicles in the same market segment that broadens their combined appeal.
Im surprised that noone has designed any hatchback type sedans except for the stinger over recent years. I mean everyone is buying crossovers for their space but yet noone is making the sedan more practical. Some people do not want the worse handling suvs and rather have sedans/ hatches/ wagons. We are out there
Our thought too. If the K5 was a hatchback, with the AWD that would make it a true SUV alternative. We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one.
"...fuel economy hasn't exactly been Kia's forte..."
Ayyy! :P
My lease on my Forte is almost up and I am seriously thinking about going for one of these K5s plus might get one for my wife too. I like white exterior and for her she likes red.
Tbh, I'd buy the Sonata limited for the digital cluster with the lane change cameras
And you'll pay more for it. Kia is more about value, perceived value for the dollars you spend.
Thanks Alex. It’s good to know 235mm tires won’t ruin fuel economy. I’ll definitely replace those terrible 225mm Energy Saver on Accord hybrid with 235mm Touring tires...
6:34 I come here for the dad jokes and Alex never lets me down.
You have no idea how many talked that took. I was trying to squeeze Soul in there too, but it didn’t work out. Something about fuel economy never really being their forte but they are working hard to change the soul of the company....
everything looks great, but the shifter!
looks are fantastic. That hoodline is a real achievement
It has a spare tire? My 2019 only has a can of fix-a-flat
Always guaranteed to get my fill of tire news from Alex! Not getting everything, but I feel smarter.
Great review again as always. I’m quite bummed on the decision to not pair AWD with the GT 2.5. I was actually going to possibly consider that pairing as an incentive to possibly shop it eventually. Instead I might just have to look at an off-lease Genesis G70 2.0t Sport AWD or a Stinger GT2 AWD. Maybe Kia will consider something like an N-line for the K5 that takes the GT specs to another level eventually?
Your getting better at these videos by the minute, Alex..👍
Just bought this car in Ebony Black GT-Line! Awesome car!
Great review as always Alex. Does the new Kia K5 come driver memory seat?
Dam KIA knows how to make a really nice looking car. Their designers are on fire right now.
Man, it's gonna be hard to determine if I want the new K5 for the average car or the Stinger for performance. Time will tell🙂
I just bought a stinger gt and let me tell you man, the amount of attention the car gets is crazy. Also the performance is fantastic, you're gonna be faster then most every day cars on the road.
@hiroshima thompson Apples and oranges, I think. The Stinger is an American-ized version of a European GT sedan. The K5 is a sporty take on a traditional "family" sedan. KIA (and Hyundai) do an awesome job of slicing market segments into sub-segments that appeal to distinct sets of buyers.
Absolutely loved that piano outro !!
I’m a long time Accord fan but comparing this Kia with the comparable Accord... I’m going with the Kia.
We spent a week in a K5 and was so impressed we kicked off our channel with a POV review of one. Accord is still our favorite with a little more polish and quality but the K5 is more fun to drive.
Great overview as always - I really appreciate all of the detail!
Whenever a car manufacturer introduces a new generation of sedan, they always lower overall height. Someday there will no ground clearance. And also I hate shrinking headroom, especially 2nd row.
Just wondering why does the K5 gets a A- for 71db cabin noise when the Camry V6 got a B- for the same level and same class.
Why are you surprised no AWD on the bigger turbo. Its obvious there will be no reason to get the stinger. Same why every manufacturer will never do it if they have a luxury model or brand
Screw crossovers.
Alex, why did Kia cut the digital gauge cluster, rotary shifter and the 360 camera from the US market K5?
Ikr! I was super excited when I saw the review with that interior 😍
@hiroshima thompson I don't want to choose between them, I want it all, which is what the old Optima allowed. Kia sees Hyundai as a competitor, this isn't a GMC/Chevy situation. Kia is rushing the new Cadenza because the Hyundai Grandeur is killing it in sales. Hopefully Alex will chime in if he knows anything. Either way, I'm crossing this off my list. I love my 2016 optima sxl, but there's too little too make me want to jump. I'll look at a Cadenza, stinger or G80.
@@Mercer1012 your wrong. Kia and Hyundai are the same company. When kia makes money, so does Hyundai.
@@johnfranklin5277 No, you are wrong. Hyundai sees Kia as a competitor in their markets and vice-versa, and Kia *is* concerned about the Grandeur, which has been taking market share. The Hyundai/Kia relationship is not like Chevy/GMC. Hyundai owns a significant stake in Kia, but Kia makes it's own decisions with far more autonomy than GM's various business units.
This is so much nicer than the Stinger. They need to update the stinger to something like this, make it a true shooting brake and updated interior.
Great video as always. Greetings from Berlin! Oh btw, we do hate those fake exhaust tips over here as well. :)
Awesome looking car! Is going to give everyone a run for their money. GT-line isn’t worth it. Get the Ex fully loaded or wait for the full GT model coming soon. Needs digital dash
Hyundai and Kia is doing very well with new vehicles that they actually managed to make profit in times of Covid whereas most other manufacturers lost huge money.
Yes! We want real exhaust tips.
You know, they just get DIRTY, SOOTED UP, and look bad if you don't work to keep them clean. And few people will.
Kia is on to something. This is a great start to their fresh and upcoming line up. Look for Kia products to implement these kinds of attributes from hear on.
Thank you Professor Alex,another great class.
Love it!!!!
Alex always has funny song names/band names as easter egg!
I'm hoping to see you get the 2021 Kia Sorento. It looks really nice.
Great job Alex. BTW...You remind me of a grown up Brick Heck from The Middle
Is that good or bad? Hmm.
Alex on Autos It’s good. You give the most thorough car reviews out of all the competition. Keep up the good work.
The Stinger falls into the “large sedan” category according to IIHS and Consumer Reports, so considering this is longer and wider, it should slot into large sedan category. I own a Stinger GT and it’s long, so this is very large.