Used 2021 Kia K5 for Sale nearChicago, IL

Compare 2021 Kia K5 Trims in Chicago, IL

The 2021 Kia K5 offers a range of trims from budget-friendly options to feature-rich models, all with impressive fuel efficiency.

• Starting at $15,188
• Best MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Most Popular: GT-Line FWD

Trim Overview

Prices updated weekly from CarGurus listings.

Quick Compare Table

Listing prices sourced from CarGurus — updated weekly. OEM specs from manufacturer data.

Missing data displayed as "—".

Trim Deep Dives

LX FWD — "Who It's For"

The LX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want essential features without paying for extras. It's a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers.

• Avg. market price: $18,381 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 7 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View LX FWD listings

LXS FWD — "Who It's For"

The LXS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a well-rounded set of features without breaking the bank. It offers great value with added tech.

• Avg. market price: $15,188 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 72 listings
• View LXS FWD listings

GT-Line FWD — "Who It's For"

The GT-Line FWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty styling and features without the highest price tag. It's the most popular trim for a reason.

• Avg. market price: $19,336 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 241 listings — widest selection in the lineup
• View GT-Line FWD listings

EX FWD — "Who It's For"

The EX FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a touch of luxury with their sedan. It includes premium features for a more comfortable ride.

• Avg. market price: $20,868 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 40 listings
• View EX FWD listings

GT-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The GT-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want all-wheel drive without a hefty price increase. It balances performance and practicality.

• Avg. market price: $18,381 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 15 listings — lower availability; may limit negotiating room
• View GT-Line AWD listings

GT FWD — "Who It's For"

The GT FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a performance-oriented sedan with more power. It's fully loaded with features for a premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $18,381 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 28 listings
• View GT FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — GT-Line FWD

With 241 active listings, the GT-Line FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse GT-Line FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LXS FWD

At $15,188 avg market price — below the lineup median of $18,381 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LXS FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LX FWD

The LX FWD offers the best fuel economy in the lineup with 27/37 MPG/MPGe.

Browse LX FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 2, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia K5 cost?

Prices have softened 8.10% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,509 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

If you find a listing below $18,510.39, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia K5 earns a 4.73/5 user rating, and its expert rating is 7.67/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its smooth driving experience, stylish design, and value for money. The review summary also points to the 1.6L turbo engine as a highlight, and the car’s overall appeal is tied to its modern look and broad usefulness.

The trade-offs are worth keeping in mind: some owners mention minor infotainment and feature-usability issues, and the car’s performance can hesitate in certain acceleration situations. In practical terms, the K5 fits you well if you want a midsize sedan that feels more expressive than average and still makes sense as a daily driver.

Good and great deals account for 29.8% of listings, so you have a meaningful number of attractive options to choose from.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.73/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

The owner feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience overall, with drivers especially appreciating the car’s value and smooth day-to-day behavior. The expert review also describes the K5 as a high-quality sedan with plenty of space, and Kia’s five-year/60,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance adds a useful ownership cushion.

The K5’s standard maintenance coverage is a practical plus for used buyers, since it helps reduce early ownership costs. For a used purchase, your main long-term risk is less about the platform itself and more about how well the specific car has been maintained and used.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Kia K5?

At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a pre-purchase inspection, especially if the car has had bodywork or shows uneven panel gaps, tire wear, or interior wear that doesn’t match the mileage. Focus on how the car drives, how the electronics behave, and whether the features you care about work consistently.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the most basic version, and it misses folding rear seats and push-button start, so you may want to move up if those matter to you. The LXS adds those essentials, plus proximity entry, remote start, and Smart Trunk.
• Powertrain: The standard 1.6-liter turbo-four makes 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, while the GT uses a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The base engine is efficient and easy to live with, while the GT is the performance-oriented choice.
• Safety package: Forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor are standard. Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist is standard on LXS and above, while cyclist detection and Junction Turning are tied to the GT-Line Premium package.
• Infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The LX uses the smaller 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX gets the 10-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM and UVO link.
• Fuel efficiency: FWD models with the base engine are rated at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The AWD version drops to 26/34/29.

Which 2021 Kia K5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia K5 is offered in 5 trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, GT.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the entry point, but it leaves out folding rear seats and push-button start, so it makes sense mainly if you want the lowest price and can live with the basics.
• LXS: This is the best-value trim for many shoppers because it adds the essentials the LX misses, plus proximity entry, remote start, and Smart Trunk.
• GT-Line: This is the style-focused choice, adding 18-inch wheels, fog lights, mirror turn signals, rear USB ports, and a power driver’s seat. It’s a strong pick if you want the most visual appeal without jumping to the top trims.
• EX: This trim is the comfort upgrade, bringing heated seats, ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and the 10-inch infotainment system.
• GT: This is the performance trim, with the 2.5-liter turbo engine, paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips, and extra performance hardware.

The safety package is broad, but blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist starts on LXS and above, so that trim is the minimum if you want a more complete safety setup.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Kia K5?

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile deals.

• Deal availability: 29.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,509 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.10% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,510.39, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Kia K5's resale value?

The current average of $18,505 sits slightly below last year's $20,137.

That price movement suggests the K5 has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help you if you buy now and hold the car for a while. If you later sell, the fact that the market has softened may limit upside in the near term, but it also means you’re entering at a more favorable point than a year ago.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.73/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 safe?

It earns a 8/10 safety score from our experts.

The K5 is too new to be rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), so there are no crash-test results to cite yet. Even so, it comes with a strong standard safety suite: rear side airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor.

Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist is standard on LXS and above, which is a useful step up if you want more confidence in traffic and parking situations. Cyclist detection and Junction Turning are reserved for the GT-Line Premium package, and rear emergency braking plus parking sensors are on EX and above.

Should I buy a 2021 Kia K5 or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 29.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.10% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.73/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It’s an all-new sedan with strong style, multiple powertrain options, and a surprisingly good driving feel.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $20,360, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $18,505 average.
• Kia adds redesigned emblems and more standard features.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the smarter buy because it already offers strong style, good equipment, and a lower average price. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model year with added standard features, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 4, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.