Kia K5 Generation 1 (2021–2024)

Kia K5 Generation 1 (2021–2024) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Kia K5 — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 2021–2024 —
Model-year brochures (4)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Generation 2 2025–present —
Model-year brochures (5)

Model-year reference; equipment varies by market and trim. This is not a VIN build sheet. Browse library

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Kia K5 fuel economy: every year & engine (EPA) →

Used Kia K5 prices by year →

About this generation

The fifth generation Optima is badged as the K5 worldwide. It was first unveiled in November 2019 and released in South Korea on 12 December 2019. Its overall design is similar to that of the Sonata, with a fastback-like profile. However, the styling is unique, featuring Z-shaped running lights, a textured grille and a chrome strip that runs along the window line and becomes more prominent at the C-pillar. The interior has been redesigned significantly as well, with an optional 12.3-inch digital cluster and 10.3-inch center screen, augmented by Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and an optional 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Under the hood, engines mostly mirror that of the Sonata, with the base 4-cylinder turbo 1.6-liter engine producing 180 hp and 195 lb⋅ft of torque and the GT receiving a high-performance 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder unit with 286 hp and 311 lb⋅ft of torque. All-wheel drive is newly available on some trim levels, distinguishing it from the Sonata. Depending on the market, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) include Forward Collision-avoidance Assist (FCA), Blind-spot View Monitor (BVM) with Surround View Monitor (SVM) and Blind-spot Collision-avoid Assist (BCA), Smart Cruise Control (SCC) or Navigation-based SCC (NSCC), Lane Following Assist (LFA), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), and Highway Driving Assist (HDA).

Kia has confirmed that the car is not to be available for the European markets or any right-hand-drive markets (such as Asia, Australasia and Africa) due to the shrinking traditional sedan market. The K5 facelift was revealed on 25 October 2023 in South Korea, and at the 2024 Chicago Auto Show for the 2025 model year in North America. Changes include redesigned headlights and taillights, new front bumper with larger faux vents, new exhaust pipes for non-sportier trim levels, new exterior colors, new alloy wheel designs, an updated interior with a pair of screens, the traditional gear lever replaced by a rotary selector, and new technological features.

The facelifted K5 also has a new base engine, dropping the 1.6-liter turbo in favor of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4 cylinder making 191 horsepower and 181 foot pounds of torque. In June 2020, Kia unveiled the US-market K5, renaming it from the Optima. Both the 1.6-liter turbocharged and 2.5-liter naturally aspirated Smartstream inline four-cylinder gasoline engines will be available with either front wheel drive or all wheel drive; the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine is available only in front wheel drive and is mated to an eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission.

Trim levels include LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT, with the GT-Line being the only trim to offer All-Wheel Drive (AWD) as an option for the 1.6L turbocharged engine. US specification models will be assembled at Kia's West Point, Georgia assembly plant (KMMG). The K5 is no longer available in Canada as of the 2025 model year. Production of the K5 in the United States ended in 2024 with the KMMG plant shifting its focus to the Telluride and Kia's EV lineup.

American models are now sourced from Korea.

Source: Wikipedia — Kia K5 — Fifth generation (DL3; 2019), CC BY-SA.

Market by model year

Year Units for sale Median price Vs newest Avg mileage
2021 837 $19,477 77% 69,164 mi
2022 776 $20,626 81% 58,619 mi
2023 1,163 $22,500 89% 45,542 mi
2024 678 $25,399 100% 31,994 mi

Inventory and price data refreshed daily; last updated .

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2021 6 167 Electrical System, Fuel/Propulsion System, Unknown Or Other
2022 5 129 Fuel/Propulsion System, Engine, Electrical System
2023 4 107 Fuel/Propulsion System, Unknown Or Other, Fuel System
2024 2 30 Engine, Unknown Or Other, Structure

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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