Used 2021 Kia K5 for Sale nearKnoxville, TN

Compare 2021 Kia K5 Trims in Knoxville, TN

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

• Starting at $19,649
• 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 great entry-level option.

• Avg. market price: $19,832 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 8 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 a significant price jump. It offers a solid balance of value.

• Avg. market price: $19,832 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 85 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 going for the top trim. It's the most popular choice.

• Avg. market price: $19,649 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 263 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 more premium experience with added features. It balances luxury and practicality.

• Avg. market price: $20,290 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 62 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 tag. It's a great option for varied weather conditions.

• Avg. market price: $19,832 (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 a sportier drive with more power. It's fully loaded with features for a premium experience.

• Avg. market price: $19,832 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 38 listings
• View GT FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — GT-Line FWD

With 263 active listings, the GT-Line FWD is the clear volume leader in the lineup.

Browse GT-Line FWD listings

Best Budget Option — GT-Line FWD

At $19,649 avg market price — below the lineup median of $19,832 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse GT-Line 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 8, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia K5 cost?

Prices have softened 8.20% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,508 listings available, which gives you a solid pool of options to compare.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Kia K5 earns a 4.73/5 user rating and a 7.67/10 expert rating. 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 reinforced by its modern, expressive design.

The trade-offs are that some owners mention minor infotainment and feature-usability issues, and the expert review says it drives less sporty than it looks. That makes it a better fit if you want a stylish, comfortable sedan with personality rather than a sharp-edged sport sedan.

The K5 is aimed at buyers who want a mainstream sedan that feels more modern and distinctive than the norm, and the market shows 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 reliable?

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

The user review summary points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with drivers highlighting smooth operation and value over time. The expert review also describes the car as a high-quality sedan with little shortcomings when driven gently as a family car.

Kia’s five-year/60,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance adds another ownership advantage, especially if you’re planning to keep the car for several years. For used buyers, the main long-term risk is making sure the car’s electronics and feature usability are working properly before you commit.

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

At 71.2% 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 any signs of prior repair. Because the car is still relatively new, condition differences between listings can matter a lot, especially if you’re comparing similarly priced examples.

Focus on the equipment level you actually want, since the K5’s trims vary meaningfully in comfort and convenience features. It’s also worth checking that the infotainment, driver-assistance features, and seat functions all operate correctly during your test drive.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the entry point 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, and 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, while 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 uses 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 base-engine models, while the AWD version is rated at 26/34/29.
• 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, while cyclist detection and Junction Turning are on the GT-Line Premium package. Rear emergency braking and parking sensors are on EX and above.
• Infotainment: The standard setup includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the LX uses an 8-inch touchscreen. The EX upgrades to a 10-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM and UVO link, and the system also adds Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility. Some owners note occasional restart glitches with wireless CarPlay.
• Fuel efficiency: The base FWD model is rated at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined, while the AWD version is rated at 26/34/29. The GT has not yet been rated.

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 makes the most sense only if price is your top priority.
• 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 mid-level choice and a strong pick if you want the best balance of style and equipment, including 18-inch wheels, fog lights, rear USB ports, and a power driver’s seat.
• GT-Line Premium: Choose this if you want the GT-Line’s look with more convenience and safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, a panoramic sunroof, and triple LED projector headlights.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused choice, adding heated and ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and the 10-inch infotainment system.
• GT: Pick this if you want the most performance-oriented version, 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 on EX and above.

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 listings.

• Deal availability: 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,508 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.20% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,174, 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 $18,193 sits slightly below last year's $19,819.

That price movement suggests the K5 has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help if you buy now and later resell into a more stable market. The current range also shows that well-priced examples are still moving within a fairly tight band, which is useful if you want to avoid overpaying.

For a future seller, the key is to buy a clean, well-equipped example and keep it in strong condition. Cars with broad shopper appeal and strong satisfaction tend to hold demand better, especially when they’re priced competitively.

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?

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 earns an 8/10 safety score from our experts.

Standard safety 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, and rear emergency braking plus parking sensors are included on EX and above.

A notable trim-level gap is that some of the more advanced driver-assistance features are reserved for higher trims or packages, so you should verify the exact equipment on any used listing before you buy.

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:

• 32.8% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 71.2% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.20% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.73/5 — 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 $19,913, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $18,193 average.
• Upper trims add standard features and a new Premium package for the GT-Line AWD.

The bottom line: If you want the better value play, the 2021 is the stronger starting point because prices have already softened and the market offers a decent number of deals. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model year with added standard features on upper trims, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path. For most used-car shoppers, the 2021 makes the most sense unless you specifically want the later-year equipment changes.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 6, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.