Used 2021 Kia K5 for Sale nearColumbia, SC

Compare 2021 Kia K5 Trims in Columbia, SC

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

• Starting at $12,970
• 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 the most budget-friendly option in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $12,970 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 5 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 few more features without stepping up to the pricier trims. It offers a solid balance of value and amenities.

• Avg. market price: $14,999 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 76 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 higher price tag of the GT trim. It's the most popular trim in the lineup.

• Avg. market price: $20,155 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 248 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 without going fully loaded. It combines comfort and technology nicely.

• Avg. market price: $16,500 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 50 listings
• View EX FWD listings

GT-Line AWD — "Who It's For"

The GT-Line AWD is the pick for shoppers who want sporty performance and all-weather capability. It's a great choice for those needing versatility.

• Avg. market price: $17,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 7 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 maximum performance and features in a stylish package. It's fully loaded for those who desire the best.

• Avg. market price: $17,489 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 38 listings
• View GT FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — GT-Line FWD

With 248 active listings, the GT-Line FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse GT-Line FWD listings

Best Budget Option — LX FWD

At $12,970 avg market price — below the lineup median of $16,994 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LX 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 October 29, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia K5 cost?

Prices have softened 8.54% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,495 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 a good car?

Yes — you’re looking at a 4.7/5 model with an expert rating of 7.7/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Drivers consistently praise its smooth driving experience, stylish design, and value for money. The K5 also gets credit for its multiple powertrain options and its strong overall appeal as a modern, expressive sedan. On the flip side, some owners mention minor infotainment and feature-usability issues, and a few note hesitation when accelerating in certain situations.

That lines up with the broader use case here: you’re getting a sedan that aims to feel more upscale and distinctive than the norm, especially if you want style and a fun-to-drive character without moving up to a larger vehicle. 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 reliable?

Owners rate it 4.7/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

Drivers describe the K5 as smooth, and the user feedback points to a car that many owners feel good about living with over time. The expert review also emphasizes that the K5 is a high-quality sedan with plenty of space and a strong value proposition, which supports the case for dependable everyday use. Kia’s five-year/60,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance adds another ownership advantage.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure any specific car has been maintained well and that its infotainment and feature set work as expected.

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

At 71.8% 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 careful inspection of bodywork, panel alignment, and signs of prior repair. It’s also smart to focus on how the car’s features operate in real life, since owners mention some infotainment and usability concerns. If you’re comparing listings, pay close attention to trim content so you know which convenience and safety features are actually included.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the most basic version and misses folding rear seats and push-button start, while the LXS adds those essentials plus proximity entry, remote start, and Smart Trunk. The GT-Line adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, mirror turn signals, rear USB ports, a power driver’s seat, and auto up/down controls for the front passenger window. The Premium package adds a panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and triple LED projector headlights. The EX adds heated seats, ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and the 10-inch infotainment system. The GT adds paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips, and extra performance hardware.
• Powertrain: The standard engine is a 1.6-liter turbo-four with 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with an eight-speed automatic. The GT trim brings a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy is very good at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined on FWD models with the base engine.
• Safety package: Standard equipment includes forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, a driver attention monitor, rear side airbags, and a driver’s knee airbag. Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist is standard on LXS and above. Cyclist detection and Junction Turning are on the GT-Line Premium package, while rear emergency braking and parking sensors are on EX and above.
• Infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. The base LX uses an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EX gets a 10-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM and UVO link. The system also supports Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant on the upgraded setup.
• Fuel efficiency: The base FWD engine returns 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The AWD version drops to 26 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined.

Which 2021 Kia K5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia K5 is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT-Line Premium, EX, GT.

Here's the short version:

• LX: This is the cheapest way into the K5, but you give up folding rear seats and push-button start, so it’s best only if price matters most.
• LXS: This is the best-value trim because it adds the essentials you’ll want for daily use, including folding rear seats, push-button start, proximity entry, remote start, and Smart Trunk.
• GT-Line: This is the style-focused pick, adding 18-inch wheels, fog lights, mirror turn signals, rear USB ports, a power driver’s seat, and auto up/down controls for the front passenger window.
• GT-Line Premium: This is the trim to choose if you want more convenience and driver-assist tech, thanks to the panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and triple LED projector headlights.
• EX: This is the comfort upgrade, with heated seats, ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and the 10-inch infotainment system.
• GT: This is the performance-oriented choice, with the 2.5-liter turbo engine, paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips, and extra performance hardware.

Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist is standard on LXS and above, while rear emergency braking and parking sensors are reserved for EX and above.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,495 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.54% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.8% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $17,909, 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 $17,909 sits slightly below last year's $19,582.

That softer pricing suggests the K5 has become more accessible for used buyers, but it also means future sellers may face a more competitive market. If you’re planning to resell later, condition and trim content will matter more because buyers can compare a lot of similar listings. A well-kept example with desirable equipment should stand out better than a basic or heavily worn one.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.7/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 safe?

It earns an 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).

It comes with a strong standard safety package, including 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, while cyclist detection and Junction Turning are reserved for the GT-Line Premium package. Rear emergency braking and parking sensors are available starting on EX.

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:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.8% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.54% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.7/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 stands out as an all-new sedan that replaces the Optima with more style and speed.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,671, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $17,909 average.
• It adds redesigned emblems and more standard features on upper trims.

The bottom line: If you want the better value, the 2021 is the stronger starting point because prices are softer and inventory is healthy. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model with a few added features, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

How does the 2021 Kia K5 compare to the 2021 Hyundai Sonata?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Kia K5:

• Pros: Multiple powertrain options, Fun to drive, Stylish design.
• Cons: Drives less sporty than it looks, All-wheel drive not available.

2021 Hyundai Sonata:

• Pros: Stylish design, Multiple powertrain options, Impressive technology.
• Cons: All-wheel drive not available, Underwhelming base engine.

Our experts score the 2021 Kia K5 7.7/10 and the 2021 Hyundai Sonata 8.5/10. The K5 leans more toward style and driving enjoyment, while the Sonata gets the edge for technology and the higher expert score. Both skip all-wheel drive, so your choice comes down to whether you value the K5’s more expressive design or the Sonata’s stronger overall package.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 27, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.