Engine Types

The 2021 Kia K5 narrowed it down to five trims: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. On all trims but the GT is a 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC I4 engine, optimized with gasoline direct injection and continuously variable valve duration (CVVD) for performance, and idle stop and go for fuel conservation. Want more? A turbocharged 2.5-liter DOHC I4 engine with GDI and CVVD is under the hood of the GT trim, able to generate 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque.

Engineering

There is a pattern here. An 8-speed automatic transmission comes paired up with every trim but the GT trim, equipped with an 8-speed dual clutch transmission and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Don’t worry, the LXS and GT-Line can be just as special, the only trims able to get an all-wheel drive (AWD) transfer case. Oddly enough, the LX trim has a fuel economy of 29 mpg on the city and 38 mpg on the highway, but the rest of the trims have an EDPA of 27/37 mpg city/highway (TBD for the GT). On AWD, the LXS and GT-Line have a highway fuel economy of 34 mpg.

Exterior Features

There are a number of standard features on the 2021 Kia K5, including heated exterior mirrors, solar control glass, a sound-absorbing front windshield, multi-reflector LED headlights, and automatic headlights. Mirrors with turn signals are available on the GT-Line and GT, optional on the EX trim, and a Smart Trunk can be found on all trims but the base. A panoramic sunroof with a power sunshade can also be found on the EX and GT trims, optional on the GT-Line.

Just like the many engine choices, 16-inch alloy wheels are the standard for the LX and LXS trims, but the GT-Line rides on 18-inch alloy wheels with a GT-Line sport black finish. The EX trim also rides on 18-inch wheels, but with a machine gray finish. The GT trim is the only one to come with 19-inch GT wheels.

Interior Features

There are different seating options on just about every trim with cloth upholstery on the LX and LXS, cloth and Syntex on the GT-Line, all-Syntex on the EX and GT trims (option on GT-Line, and sport bucket front seats on the GT trim. A 6-way adjustable driver’s seat comes on the LX and LXS trims, whereas the GT-Line, EX, and GT trims come with a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat (optional on the LXS); a 6-way adjustable passenger’s seat is on all trims, with a 10-way power-adjustable optional on the EX and GT trims.

Dual-zone automatic temperature control is standard on all trims. All trims but the LX come with a 60/40split-folding rear seat. The EX and GT trims come with heated front seats, but only the EX comes with ventilated front seats standard (optional on the GT), and a leather-wrapped steering wheel comes on all trims past and including the GT-Line (heated optional). A Sport steering wheel comes on the Gt-Line and GT trim.

Entertainment

With a focus on performance and an upscale cabin, entertainment takes a small back seat with an 8-inch touchscreen as the lineup standard. Google Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Bluetooth wireless technology and hands-free phone and audio streaming can be found on all trims. A six-speaker system with steering wheel-mounted audio, phone, and cruise control buttons is also the lineup standard.

A 12 speaker Bose premium audio system can be added onto the EX and GT trims. The GT-Line, EX, and GT can upgrade to a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and voice recognition, but only the EX trim comes standard with UVO link remote connectivity and SiriusXM radio (optional add-on for the GT-Line and GT trims). A wireless phone charger is standard on the EX and GT trims, optional for the GT-Line trim.

Safety Features and Warranty

All 2021 Kia K5 trims come with dual front advanced airbags, dual front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a rollover sensor, an anti-lock brake system, stability and traction control systems, a rear occupant alert system, and LATCH child-seat ready anchors. Matching performance with safety, every trim also comes with forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane keeping and following assist, lane departure warning, driver attention warning system, a rear view monitor with dynamic parking guidance, and a rear occupant alert system.

Blind-spot collision avoidance assist and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance is standard on all but the LX trim. A parking distance warning when in reverse is standard on the EX, optional on the GT. Forward collision avoidance-assist when in reverse is optional on the EX. Smart cruise control with stop and go, navigational-based smart cruise control, and forward collision avoidance with cyclist detection and junction turning are optional on the GT-Line, EX, and GT trims.

All Kia models are backed by an industry leading warranty. The Kia Soul is backed by a 10-year or 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a 5-year or 60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a 5-year or 100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty.