[Test Drive] "Sleek Design with Advanced Technology and Fuel Efficiency" Kia K5 Hybrid

Kia Motors 3rd Generation K5 (Photo by Kia Motors)

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] The rebellion of the perennial runner-up.

The Kia K5, which had long been stuck in second place behind its sibling, the Hyundai Sonata, has finally shaken off its woes. Riding on the popularity of the third-generation model introduced at the end of last year, it has dethroned the Sonata and succeeded in its rebellion. From the beginning of this year through May, K5 sales reached 36,679 units, surpassing Sonata sales (29,910 units) by more than 6,000 units during the same period. In particular, last month it recorded 8,136 units sold, significantly outpacing the Sonata’s 5,827 units.

We personally experienced the reasons behind the K5’s popularity, including its highly praised exterior design from the launch and the numerous advanced features that are too many to list. The test-driven model was the hybrid version, which has also received good reviews for fuel efficiency.

First, the exterior is considered K5’s greatest strength. The dynamic yet sleek design maximizes sophistication, earning praise from all age groups and genders. To complete a sporty sedan, the body proportions were adjusted. The width was increased by 25mm to 1,860mm, and the length was extended by 50mm to 4,905mm. Meanwhile, the height was lowered by 20mm to 1,445mm, creating a sleek fastback style.

3rd Generation K5 Interior (Photo by Kia Motors)

The interior presents a simple yet futuristic image. The 12.3-inch large dashboard cluster, three-dimensional display controls, and touch-type climate control system add to the sophistication. Numerous advanced technologies are well integrated into the system, giving a visually uncluttered impression inside. For improved driver convenience, the floor console is slightly angled toward the driver’s seat.

Space is also ample. The third-generation K5’s wheelbase is 2,850mm, 45mm longer than the previous model. While the rear seats may not be as spacious as those in mid-to-large class vehicles, they are sufficient for adult males. In the hybrid model equipped with solar panels, the vehicle’s roof protrudes about 3 to 4 cm, which could cause a feeling of confinement. However, unlike the Sonata hybrid model where the entire roof protrudes inward, only the rear seat area’s roof is affected by the panel in the K5 hybrid, reducing the sense of confinement.

The K5 hybrid is equipped with a Smartstream 2.0 gasoline hybrid engine, delivering a maximum output of 152 horsepower and a peak torque of 19.2 kgf·m. At low speeds, it switches to EV mode, enabling quiet and smooth driving. When speed increases, the gasoline engine kicks in, but the difference is not strongly felt. The electric motor assists during acceleration to improve efficiency. As a result, the K5 hybrid’s actual fuel economy after driving was around 19 km/l in urban areas and over 20 km/l on highways.

Rear view of K5 (Photo by Kia Motors)

Noise insulation is also excellent. Thanks to improved sound-absorbing and soundproofing materials, road noise is effectively blocked inside the cabin. The driving feel is lively and responsive, and in cornering sections, the car grips the road firmly, providing stable yet smooth cornering.

The Kia K5 incorporates a variety of advanced technologies comparable to IT devices, with particularly notable features being voice recognition vehicle control and the air purification system. Kia has emphasized that the system can recognize not only intuitive commands but also natural conversational phrases. In practice, the K5 smartly understood and executed commands like “Turn on the air conditioner.” However, there were still many instances where commands had to be repeated several times or the intent was not understood. The air purification system, first applied by Kia, monitors indoor air quality in real time, classifies it into four levels, and automatically purifies the air when it deteriorates. As an extension of this function, the system also automatically closes the windows when entering tunnels.

The price of the hybrid 2.0 model ranges from 27.49 million to 33.35 million KRW. The new Kia K5 is a vehicle that combines smart advanced technology and excellent ride comfort as much as its sophisticated appearance. The K5 hybrid has also secured quite impressive fuel efficiency among currently available hybrid models. It is expected to be a good choice not only as a sporty sedan for young people in their 20s and 30s but also as a family car for four-person households.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.