3rd Gen Kia K5

Kia's executive midsize saloon, the K5, has been on the block for almost a decade with two generations on the beat and for this third generation, the all-new K5 tries to survive the genre critically endangered by the crossovers that are selling like superheroes. Although not as super as it looks and feels, the all-new K5 prepares for a risky gamble with futuristic looks, interior, performance, and tech.

2020 Kia K5

Starting at 23,510,000 Korean Won (about US$20,200) MSRP, the third-generation Kia K5 is the Korean automaker's make-it-or-break attempt to restore the saloon genre by all means necessary with its new design, performance, and technology that will surely be the trending topic in the motoring public, whatever that means.

First and foremost, the styling, and while it claims to be the most futuristic-styled sedan to date, it's worth puzzling to observe, judging by its weird-looking headlamps that is not as weird as the Hyundai DN8 Sonata months ago where the DRLs stretched towards the body lines. On the back of it, it bears close resemblance from its big brother, the recently facelifted K7 Premier, and on the side, the Stinger-like curves are very streamlined indeed.

2020 Kia K5 interior

The inside is where the new K5 earns it because of the right blend of technology and comfort way beyond its premium status. The sat-nav, for instance, feels like it came from BMW. Then, there's rotary dial selector instead of a gear lever like you get in a Jaguar. And, finally, tons of luxury gimmicks such as the ambient light system, 8-inch HUD, 12-speaker BOSE sound system, voice commands, and the digital key feature where users can use a smartphone in place of a carkey to open a car. Very high-tech indeed and because it feels almost like a luxury car, it's not a bad car to get cozy with. Boot space's above average either.

2020 Kia K5 Hybrid

In addition to the 2.0L CVVL petrol engine, the new K5 is powered by a brand new Smartstream 1.6L turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 180PS of power and 27kgf-m of torque with fuel economy expected at 13.8km/L combined. The former is mated with a 6-speed AT while the latter is mated to an 8-speed AT. Interesting.

For those who are looking for some added range should go for the Hybrid variant with up to 20.1km/L of fuel economy combined, courtesy of its hybrid powertrain which consists of a 2.0L petrol engine, electric motor, and Li-ion battery, not to mention the 6-speed automatic gearbox mated to it.

To keep its sporty and luxury status, which is almost interesting for a Korean-made sedan like this, the new K5 features ventilated disc brakes, MacPherson Struts, and rear Multilink suspension, keeping the car's momentum in bay for the sake of refinement.

2020 Kia K5

As most cars going all in for technology, the third-generation Kia K5 comes with the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems as well as Rear View Monitor with Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-traffic Collision-avoidance Assist, and a new Remote Smart Parking Assist, which allows users to use the car key to remotely get the car in and out of the parking space. Sounds very secret agent-ish but flattering.

So, what's the word on the third-generation K5? Although the styling is west of weird, the value for money, the interior, the tech, and the performance really ticks the boxes rather well and although the new K5 lacks the charisma of the first one from the year 2010, which got everyone's attention in the beginning, it is worth a shot in the critically endangered sedan genre and looks like the new model is onto something for the whole world to see.

Photo: Kia Motors