[Twiggy]

I'm curious to know how many people on here have owned Kias before and how many people are going to be first time owners with the K5.

I've owned a couple of Kias before (Forte & Soul) but they pale in comparison to the K5. After you answer the poll let us know what Kias or other cars you've owned.

 

[meubin10]

I had a 2015 Forte LX, bought new in May of 2015. That was my first Kia. I'd always like the Optima's style, but couldn't afford it at the time. Then, in November 2017, I traded the Forte for a new 2017 Optima LX and loved it. I traded that Optima for the '21 K5 EX at the beginning of August, and I love it.

 

[Twiggy]

I had a 2015 Forte LX, bought new in May of 2015. That was my first Kia. I'd always like the Optima's style, but couldn't afford it at the time. Then, in November 2017, I traded the Forte for a new 2017 Optima LX and loved it. I traded that Optima for the '21 K5 EX at the beginning of August, and I love it.

Since you've owned an Optima, how do you think the K5 compares to it?

 

[LarryFL]

I had the most expensive Optima of 2016, an SX-L with almost every option they make. I liked that car, but it was a lackluster ownership experience. It did everything as advertised and I picked up an unsold 2016 in 2017 for almost 1/3 off MSRP. Loaded up optima's in the mid $30K's didn't sell, so I took advantage. However, it didn't wow me.

My new K5 is all that, without the leather and the 250hp, but I so far enjoy this car more. My 16 year old son gets it in year, and then I will be getting the K5 GT, and if KIA is smart, it will be offered in AWD.

 

[meubin10]

Since you've owned an Optima, how do you think the K5 compares to it?

Overall, I feel like it handles a lot like my Optima did. The new K5 does feel a bit more comfortable in terms of how it handles bumps and such. K5 also has more "getup" than the Optima did.

 

[BlueAngelK5]

Yep, traded my 2015 Kia Soul , she was a good car. Saw the K5, and that was it....😁

 

[meubin10]

This is my '17 Optima LX that I traded for the new K5.

 

[nickhennessy21]

I owned a 2001 Kia Sportage, bets vehicle i ever owned. 3" lift with 33's. that truck went everywhere. It tackled a mud hole one time and blew the transfer case apart, towed it in covered in mu with the lift and tires and Kia still fixed it all under warranty. oh and when i got rid of it years ago, it was still running strong with 300k milles on it

 

[BruceBlingsteen]

My last was a 2016 ex premium. I worked at a kia dealership and I just fell in love with them. Traded in my 07 Audi A4. I'm bummed that more ex options didn't transfer over. Out with the old, in with the new!

 

[zrockk5]

I'm curious to know how many people on here have owned Kias before and how many people are going to be first time owners with the K5.

I've owned a couple of Kias before (Forte & Soul) but they pale in comparison to the K5. After you answer the poll let us know what Kias or other cars you've owned.

My last Kia was a 2017 Optima FE but I have also owned several others including an Optima Hybrid pictured here, a couple of Sorentos, a 2019 Forte LXS,

a 2011 and 2012 Optima EX Now the Happy owner of the K5 GT line in Glacier White with premium package.

 

[Muttley06]

Last car was a 15 camry that got totaled in a accident.

 

[Capsaintkiss]

I'm curious to know how many people on here have owned Kias before and how many people are going to be first time owners with the K5.

I've owned a couple of Kias before (Forte & Soul) but they pale in comparison to the K5. After you answer the poll let us know what Kias or other cars you've owned.

I have the 2012 Forte Koup SX.. engine blew at 64000 miles.. known issue. Waiting for the new recall release late January to see if its covered.. might have 2 cars haha.

 

[Luv2SkiCO]

I am waiting on the K5 GT to become available in Colorado so no driving comparisons yet. We currently have a 2011 Optima SX with the 2.0 turbo (274HP, 269 lb-ft torque). It's the only car I've ever owned that consistently beats its EPA fuel efficiency ratings. Per Car & Driver, its 0-60 time is 6.4 seconds which has been fast enough for us. We do a lot of traveling in this car and I've become spoiled for life on having a turbo. Passing a semi going 65 on a country 2-lane is effortless. It's amazing the acceleration I get between 60 and 100 MPH. Driving in the mountains is also a joy. We've taken this vehicle up Mt. Evans a dozen times to the 14,264 ft. summit without any issues.

I expect the K5 GT will become another "decade car" for us. I too would be willing to wait a year for an AWD version but I suspect Kia is purposely withholding this option (it's available in Korea). I surmise they did this to avoid cannibalizing their costlier Stinger GT-Line offering which does have an AWD option and currently is available only with the 2.0T power plant (it should pick up the 2.5T starting with the 2022 MY). It's already bad enough that the lighter K5 GT has more HP & torque than the 2021 Stinger GT-Line and probably better 0-60 times to boot. Why would they further induce Stinger GT-Line buyers down-market to a better looking (IMO) AWD K5 GT?

 

[Kickstand]

My family had a 99 Kia Sophia my parents bought new and I had a 16 Forte5 SX. Both manual transmission. My in-laws liked my Forte so much so on my advice they now have a 2020 Forte and my oldest son just bought a Soul. I just traded in my Forte in on my new 2021 K5 GT Line.

 

[KurtMan66]

I've owned several Kias in the past, (and have 2 Kias now). Previous Sedona and Sportage both had more then 165K miles. Great reliability.

 

[1321k5fan]

I'm curious to know how many people on here have owned Kias before and how many people are going to be first time owners with the K5.

I've owned a couple of Kias before (Forte & Soul) but they pale in comparison to the K5. After you answer the poll let us know what Kias or other cars you've owned.

Had a 13 Optima sxl 24m/10k $355m
15 optima sxl 24m/12k $365m
19 optima sx prl white red int 24m/12k $395m
21 k5 EX passion red 24m/12k $405m

 

[N0da_lexus]

Had a 2012 Optima SX before my new K5.

 

[1st K5]

Kia owner since 2013. First was optima hybrid ex premium, then a 2015 sxt and now K5GT. K5... By far the best car I've had.

 

[1321k5fan]

Kia owner since 2013. First was optima hybrid ex premium, then a 2015 sxt and now K5GT. K5... By far the best car I've had.

Its comparable with my ex 2019 but do wish the ex premium came with turning headlights

 

[OHRickK5]

I bought my first KIA, a 2011 Optima EX with the tech and premium package in dark cherry, shortly after the new design launch. I loved the car and would still have it but for catching the "new car bug" after seeing the '21 K5. It's amazing how many advances have been made in comfort, safety and technology in 10 yrs. I bought my black on black K5 EX with premium pkg in early Feb. I'm still learning how to use all the features! Aside from missing some of the features I had on the Optima (dual SS-tip exhaust, inside trunk lid pull !!, ambient lighting, phone display button, etc.) I am really enjoying the new car.

BTW, got several $K more by selling my Optima to Carvana than what was offered for trade.