SPOT.
Photo of a Kia K5

Kia K5

From the Optima Hybrid’s 64.55-mpg Guinness record to the 290-hp K5 GT.12

Researched November 9, 2026 from 33 sources

At a glance

0150300
123–290 hpPower
0510
5.2–8.9 s0–60 mph
0125250
192–249 km/hTop speed
0250500
157–422 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,391–1,624 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.241415

Engine
1.6–2.7 L I4/V6; gasoline, diesel, LPG, hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions4710
Layout
Front-engine, FWD; K5 adds optional FWD-based AWD410
Gearbox
5/6-speed manuals, 4–8-speed automatics, CVT; Optima LX 1.6T 7DCT; K5 GT 8DCT4913
Built at
Optima TF: Hwaseong Plant, South Korea; KMMG, West Point, United States4

The story

Born in 2000 as Kia’s first midsize sedan after joining Hyundai Motor Group, the Optima shared a Hyundai platform and pursued its own look. Its 2010 TF redesign paired Peter Schreyer’s new profile with his tiger-nose grille.34

2000: MS Optima starts the post-merger era20002005: MG: Korean Lotze, export Magentis20052010: TF: K5 badges and Schreyer’s tiger nose20102011: 64.55 mpg across 48 states20112012: First Kia past 150,000 U.S. sales20122014: Optima Turbo wins the PWC GTS title20142016: Plug-in Optima and Sportswagon debut20162021: N3 overhaul brings the first AWD20212025: 191-hp 2.5 replaces the 1.6 turbo2025 Kia Credos / Clarus / Parktown: 1995–2001Kia Optima / Magentis (MS): 2000–2006; China to 2011MSKia Optima / Magentis / Lotze (MG): 2005–2010MGKia Optima / K5 (TF): 2010–2015TF 1995200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones3423
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1995–2001Kia Credos / Clarus / Parktown
2000–2006; China to 2011Kia Optima / Magentis (MS)
2005–2010Kia Optima / Magentis / Lotze (MG)
2010–2015Kia Optima / K5 (TF)
2000MS Optima starts the post-merger era
2005MG: Korean Lotze, export Magentis
2010TF: K5 badges and Schreyer’s tiger nose
201164.55 mpg across 48 states
2012First Kia past 150,000 U.S. sales
2014Optima Turbo wins the PWC GTS title
2016Plug-in Optima and Sportswagon debut
2021N3 overhaul brings the first AWD
2025191-hp 2.5 replaces the 1.6 turbo
  1. 2000

    MS Optima starts the post-merger era

    The Sonata-based Optima launches in 2000; the first generation gains the Magentis name in Europe and Canada in 2002.34

  2. 2005

    MG: Korean Lotze, export Magentis

    The second-generation Optima reaches South Korea in November as Lotze, while Magentis and Optima continue in export markets.4

  3. 2010

    TF: K5 badges and Schreyer’s tiger nose

    The redesigned Optima debuts in New York. South Korea and China get the K5 name; other markets use Optima as Magentis bows out.4

  4. 2011

    64.55 mpg across 48 states

    Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius take a factory-standard Optima Hybrid 7,899 miles in 14 days to set a Guinness fuel-economy record.1

  5. 2012

    First Kia past 150,000 U.S. sales

    The Optima becomes the first Kia to exceed 150,000 U.S. sales in a single year.5

  6. 2014

    Optima Turbo wins the PWC GTS title

    Kinetic’s Optima program secures Kia’s manufacturers’ crown. Mark Wilkins places third and Nic Jonsson seventh in the drivers’ standings.6

  7. 2016

    Plug-in Optima and Sportswagon debut

    Kia unveils the 2017 Optima, its first plug-in hybrid, in Chicago; the Sportswagon follows in Geneva as its first D-segment tourer.78

  8. 2021

    N3 overhaul brings the first AWD

    Optima becomes K5 in North America. The N3 sedan grows 2 inches longer and 1 inch wider, sits 0.8 inches lower, and adds the family’s first AWD.910

  9. 2025

    191-hp 2.5 replaces the 1.6 turbo

    The North American refresh replaces the 1.6T with a 191-hp 2.5-liter four; tested FWD/AWD 0–60 mph times are 7.6/8.3 seconds.1112

Every generation

  • Kia Credos / Clarus / Parktown
    Kia Credos / Clarus / Parktown1995–2001
  • Kia Optima / Magentis
    MS2000–2006; China to 2011
  • Kia Optima / Magentis / Lotze
    MG2005–2010
  • Kia Optima / K5
    TF2010–2015

Power over the years

From 170 hp to 290 hp in 20 years.

0100200300 200020052010201520202025 hp 2001 · 170 hp · Optima 2.5 Delta V6 (North America)2002 · 170 hp · Optima 2.7 Delta V6 (North America)2009 · 194 hp · Optima 2.7 Mu V62011 · 200 hp · Optima 2.4 GDI (200-hp tune)2011 · 274 hp · TF Optima 2.0 Theta II Turbo2015 · 241 hp · Optima GT 2.0 turbo (Australia)2021 · 180 hp · K5 1.6T CVVD / 8AT2021 · 290 hp · K5 GT 2.5T2025 · 191 hp · K5 LXS / EX / GT-Line 2.5 290 hp K5 GT 2.5T 170 hp Optima 2.5 Delta V6 (North Ameri…
491011151617
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2001170Optima 2.5 Delta V6 (North America)
2002170Optima 2.7 Delta V6 (North America)
2009194Optima 2.7 Mu V6
2011200Optima 2.4 GDI (200-hp tune)
2011274TF Optima 2.0 Theta II Turbo
2015241Optima GT 2.0 turbo (Australia)
2021180K5 1.6T CVVD / 8AT
2021290K5 GT 2.5T
2025191K5 LXS / EX / GT-Line 2.5

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Optima LX / EX / EX Turbo / SX

    Standard

    Optima LX / EX / EX Turbo / SX

    2011

  • Standard

    Optima LX / LX 1.6T / EX / SX / SXL

    2016

  • K5 LX / LXS / GT-Line / EX

    Standard

    K5 LX / LXS / GT-Line / EX

    2021

    180 hp
  • K5 LXS / EX / GT-Line

    Standard

    K5 LXS / EX / GT-Line

    2025

    191 hp
  • Optima Hybrid

    Standard

    Optima Hybrid

    2011

  • Standard

    Optima Plug-in Hybrid EX

    2017

  • Optima Sportswagon / GT / PHEV

    Standard

    Optima Sportswagon / GT / PHEV

    2016–2020

  • Optima Regal

    Special

    Optima Regal

    2002–2005

  • Special

    Lotze World Special

    2006

  • Special

    Optima SX Launch Edition

    2016

How to spot one

Look for

  • 2011–2015 Optima: a high beltline beneath a broad chrome arch over the side windows.1721
  • 2011 Optima: decorative side vents punctuate the flanks.22
  • 2021 K5: a wide, thin grille flows into the headlights.10
  • 2021 K5: roofline chrome wraps around the rear glass, emphasizing the fastback-like shape.10
  • 2021 K5: available dashed LED taillights stretch across the trunk lid.10

Year by year

  1. 2004–2005 (U.S.)

    The 2004 grille gained a Kia badge; the 2005 model received restyled headlights.4

  2. 2009

    Optima gained new front-end styling and taillights.4

  3. 2014 (Australia: 2013)

    Optima facelift: revised grille, headlights with LED daytime running lights and subtle interior changes.421

  4. 2021 (U.S.)

    Optima becomes K5, with a low fastback-style silhouette and chrome wrapping around the rear glass.910

  5. 2025 (U.S.)

    New amber Star Map DRLs and downward-hooked rear lamps; a 12.3-inch touchscreen is standard and a curved display available.11

Against its rivals

Prices

Price when new
$0$10K$20K$30K$40K 2010201520202025 2011 · $18,995 · US LX manual; excl. $695 dest.2011 · $25,995 · US SX; excl. $695 dest.2016 · $21,840 · US LX base; excludes destination2016 · $35,790 · US SXL base; excludes destination2021 · $24,455 · US LX base2021 · $31,585 · US GT base2021 · $35,835 · US GT + $4,000 GT1, as tested2025 · $30,745 · US GT-Line AWD base2025 · $35,645 · US EX FWD base2026 · $27,390 · US LXS FWD; excl. $1,175 dest.
2912131632
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2011Price when new$18,995US LX manual; excl. $695 dest.
2011Price when new$25,995US SX; excl. $695 dest.
2016Price when new$21,840US LX base; excludes destination
2016Price when new$35,790US SXL base; excludes destination
2021Price when new$24,455US LX base
2021Price when new$31,585US GT base
2021Price when new$35,835US GT + $4,000 GT1, as tested
2025Price when new$30,745US GT-Line AWD base
2025Price when new$35,645US EX FWD base
2026Price when new$27,390US LXS FWD; excl. $1,175 dest.

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “48 states at 3.64 L/100 km”
    • “5 wins secured the 2014 GTS title”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 33 sources
  1. Kia Optima Hybrid sets new Guinness World Record for fuel economy - 뉴스와이어 newswire.co.kr
  2. Tested: 2021 Kia K5 GT Has Unfinished Business caranddriver.com
  3. Optima | Kia's First Midsize Sedan After the Merger, 2000 | Kia Heritage Archive worldwide.kia.com
  4. Kia K5 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  5. 2016 Kia Optima Review motortrend.com
  6. Kia Racing Wins 2014 Pirelli World Challenge Championships prnewswire.com
  7. All-New 2017 Kia Optima Plug-in Hybrid Makes Global Debut At Chicago Auto Show prnewswire.com
  8. Optima Sportswagon prod2-press.kia.com
  9. 2021 Kia K5 | Consumer Guide Auto consumerguide.com
  10. All-New 2021 Kia K5 Set To Disrupt And Inspire The Mid-Size Sedan Market prnewswire.com
  11. NEW 2025 KIA K5 MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT CHICAGO AUTO SHOW prnewswire.com
  12. 2025 Kia K5 First Test Review: How FWD vs. AWD Performance Compares motortrend.com
  13. Kia Motors America Announces Pricing Of All-New 2016 Optima prnewswire.com
  14. 기아 옵티마 - 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 ko.wikipedia.org
  15. 2021 Kia K5 GT Review: Kia's 3 Series Is Better than BMW's—and $10,000 Less thedrive.com
  16. Kia Motors America Announces Pricing and Record Residual Value Increase for All-New 2011 Optima prnewswire.com
  17. Used Kia Optima review: 2011-2015 | CarsGuide carsguide.com.au
  18. Used Kia Optima review | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  19. 기아, 더 뉴 K5 사전계약 개시 | 뉴스 | 현대자동차그룹 hyundaimotorgroup.com
  20. 기아 로체 - 위키백과, 우리 모두의 백과사전 ko.wikipedia.org
  21. Used Kia Optima review - ReDriven redriven.com
  22. Kia styling chief Schreyer is fluent in Koreapean autoweek.com
  23. Kia Credos - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  24. 2025 Toyota Camry vs. Kia K5 vs. Hyundai Sonata vs. Honda Accord: Family Sedan Comparison Test! motortrend.com
  25. Griffin: NBA forced me to dunk over Kia Optima | theScore thescore.com
  26. Batman Comic Books Inspire Tricked Out Kia Optima Making World Debut In New York's Time Warner Center This Week prnewswire.com
  27. First Drives: Kia Optima GTS Race Car roadandtrack.com
  28. 기아차, 드라마 '아테나' 쇼케이스에 차량전시 news.sbs.co.kr
  29. The Decade-long Odyssey of Blake Griffin’s Dunk-Contest Kia - The Ringer theringer.com
  30. Kia K5 Resale Value and Depreciation - iSeeCars.com iseecars.com
  31. Transport Canada Recall - 2022580 - KIA - Canada.ca recalls-rappels.canada.ca
  32. KIA ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR 2026 KIA K5 prnewswire.com
  33. Biddergy - Worldwide Online Auction and Liquidation Services - (2010) Kia Optima biddergy.com
  • newswire.co.kr
  • caranddriver.com
  • worldwide.kia.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motortrend.com
  • prnewswire.com
  • prod2-press.kia.com
  • consumerguide.com
  • ko.wikipedia.org
  • thedrive.com
  • carsguide.com.au
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • hyundaimotorgroup.com
  • redriven.com

Photo credits

Other car files