Kia All New K5 (JF)

2016 Kia K5

That, ladies and gentlemen, is the all new Kia K5, better known to the world market as the fourth-generation Kia Optima, and while it looks nearly the same as the previous model, it's an entirely new model that is ready to have everyone interested on having one of these more than its Japanese and European rivals.

2016 Kia K5

For this new model, there are two designs to choose from; the MX model for those who are looking for something civilized and the SX model for those who want to live out a sporty lifestyle after office hours. Most models do come with 2.0L petrol, 1.7L diesel, and a 2.0L LPi but exclusively for the SX model; two turbocharged direct-injection engines are available such as a 1.6 T-GDi and a 2.0 T-GDi. What bothers me the most that the 2.0L T-GDi engine is now designed from the ground up and it produces 245PS of power, which is 26PS less than the previous model's 2.0L turbo engine. That's quite of shame for power-loving car enthusiasts. The 1.6L T-GDi engine, which is new to us, produces 180PS of power and that's not bad for a small engine of that size.

For 2.0L variants, a 6-speed automatic gearbox is standard, but on models equipped with smaller engines from a 1.6L T-GDi to a 1.7L diesel, they're equipped with a new 7-speed double clutch gearbox, a first for a Kia.

2016 Kia K5

Because the latest-generation K5 (codenamed JF) uses the same underpinnings as its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata (LF), it has multilink suspension setup which allows this saloon to handle like a European car, as a theory. For safety reasons, the new K5 has a brand new Auto Emergency Braking system which detects incoming objects on its twelves and triggers and automatic braking in an event of a pre-collision. It also comes with an Advanced Smart Cruise control which detects the distance to the car in front of the separate acceleration/braking distance while driving. Useful for highway driving.

2016 Kia K5 interior

Like the previous model, the interior comforts aren't so bad and it's very tech-savvy as well thanks to its convenient features such as an available JBL surround sound system, rear-view camera, available sat-nav with a touch-screen, and the UVO telematics sytem which allows your smartphone act as a carkey for your K5.

The new K5 begins at a reasonably 22,450,000 KRW which is surprisingly cheap than its cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, but you'll gonna need more moolah if you want to spec it out to your liking. Still, you can afford one than any other European midsize saloons, making it a great value for your buck. If there are doubts, you'd better be off with models with a 7-speed DCT, even the one with the smaller 1.6L T-GDi engine, because while the new dual-clutch gearbox is questionable, that small engine feels nippy and it's easy to live with.

Available colors: Snow White Pearl, Silky Silver, Platinum Graphite, Pluto Brown, Gravity Blue, and Aurora Black Pearl.

Photo: Kia Motors