2021 Kia K5 GT: A Street Machine for the Family

The Tale of the Tape

The Kia K5 GT is the top-tier trim of the K5 (formerly Optima) lineup. Base MSRP is $30,490, total sticker was $35,705 as-tested during the week it was with me.

Draped in Sapphire Blue, the K5 GT includes among its options the GT1 Package ($4,000 per this model\’s sticker). The package offers full LED projector headlights, 12-speaker Bose sound system, highway driving assist, navigation-based cruise control (which I definitely made use of on my trip to and from the 2021 NSRA Street Rod Nationals), and so on. And that\’s on top of what the GT offers on its own, including quad-tip dual exhaust, trim-specific styling, and paddle shifters.

Under the hood is what makes the K5 GT stand above the rest of the family: a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 290 hrsprs and 311 lb-ft of torque, all of which goes through an eight-speed dual-clutch to the 19-inch alloys wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero all-seasons. The rest of the K5 lineup makes due with a 1.6-liter turbo-four, good for 180 horses and 195 lb-ft of torque to either the front or, in the case of the LXS and GT-Line trims, all corners.

Inside, black SynTex sport seats up front come with heating and (especially important in late August) cooling for maximum comfort. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both available for use with the 10.25-inch touchscreen, along with a three-month trial of Sirius XM; alas, that trial had been used up by the time I reviewed the GT. Should the infotainment not entertain, though, the panoramic sunroof will allow the passengers to see every bit of blue sky along the way.