Used 2021 Kia K5 for Sale near Maryland

Compare 2021 Kia K5 Trims

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

• Starting at $15,266
• 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 at an affordable price without paying for extras.

• Avg. market price: $15,880 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 52 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-equipped sedan without stepping up to pricier trims.

• Avg. market price: $15,266 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 888 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 of the GT.

• Avg. market price: $19,231 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 2,914 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 balance of luxury and practicality without going fully loaded.

• Avg. market price: $18,823 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 539 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 in one package.

• Avg. market price: $18,983 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 63 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 fully loaded experience with powerful performance and advanced tech.

• Avg. market price: $21,934 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 314 listings
• View GT FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — GT-Line FWD

With 2,914 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 $15,266 avg market price — below the lineup median of $18,903 — 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.

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 7.78% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,490 listings available, which gives you a solid pool to compare prices and equipment.

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 expert review also highlights its fresh styling and the sense that it feels more modern and expressive than the norm. On the trade-off side, the ride is described as less sporty than it looks, and the performance-oriented trim does not fully deliver on the styling promise.

If you want a sedan that feels distinctive, well-equipped, and more upscale than many mainstream rivals, the K5 fits that brief well. It also shows 33.2% good or great deals in the market, which suggests there are worthwhile opportunities if you shop carefully.

Is the 2021 Kia K5 reliable?

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

The user feedback points to a dependable, trouble-free ownership experience overall, with drivers especially noting the car’s smoothness and value. The expert review also describes it as a high-quality sedan with plenty of space, and Kia’s five-year/60,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance adds another layer of confidence for used buyers.

The main long-term ownership risk is that some drivers mention minor infotainment and feature-usability issues, so you should verify that the electronics work properly before you buy.

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

At 72.1% 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 body panels, paint consistency, and any signs of prior repair. Because the K5 is a newer model with a lot of standard equipment, it’s also smart to test every convenience and safety feature during your drive. Focus on condition, not just mileage, since the market includes a meaningful number of cars with accident history.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the entry point and misses folding rear seats and push-button start, so the LXS is the better starting point if you want more everyday convenience. The GT-Line adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, mirror turn signals, rear USB ports, a power driver’s seat, and auto up/down front passenger window controls, while 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 1.6-liter turbo-four makes 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque and is paired with an eight-speed automatic that reacts quickly, though not always smoothly. 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 drops to 26/34/29.
• Safety package: Forward emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, and a driver attention monitor are standard. Rear side airbags and a driver’s knee airbag are also standard. Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist comes on LXS and above, while cyclist detection and Junction Turning are included on the GT-Line Premium package. Rear emergency braking and parking sensors are on EX and above trims.
• Infotainment: Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the system is easy to set up. The EX brings the 10-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM and UVO link, while the GT adds unique voice-command features and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
• Fuel efficiency: The base FWD model is rated at 27 mpg city, 37 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. The AWD version is rated at 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 it leaves out folding rear seats and push-button start, so it makes the most sense only if you’re chasing the lowest price.
• LXS: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the essentials the LX misses, plus proximity entry, remote start, Smart Trunk, and blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist.
• GT-Line: This is the style-focused choice, adding 18-inch wheels, fog lights, mirror turn signals, rear USB ports, a power driver’s seat, and a more upscale look and feel.
• GT-Line Premium: This is the best pick if you want the GT-Line’s appearance with more convenience and safety, thanks to the panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, triple LED projector headlights, cyclist detection, and Junction Turning.
• EX: This is the comfort-oriented trim, adding heated and ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and the 10-inch infotainment system with SiriusXM and UVO link.
• 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.

Blind-spot monitoring with Safe Exit Assist is standard on LXS and above, so that trim is the minimum I’d target for most used buyers.

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

The market looks moderate and selective, so you can shop with some leverage if you’re patient.

• Deal availability: 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,490 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.78% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 72.1% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,177, 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 $18,189 sits slightly below last year's $19,723.

That decline suggests the market has softened, which can help you buy at a better entry price today. For a future seller, it also means you should expect resale value to depend heavily on condition, mileage, and equipment rather than assuming the model will hold its price automatically. Well-kept examples with desirable trims and clean history should be easier to move than accident-affected or sparsely equipped cars.

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 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). Lots of safety features come standard, 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 included on the GT-Line Premium package. Rear emergency braking and parking sensors are on EX and above trims.

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:

• 33.2% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 72.1% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 7.78% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.73/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 introduces the K5 nameplate with fresh styling and multiple powertrain choices.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $19,849, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $18,189 average.
• It adds redesigned emblems and a new Premium package with upgraded headlights and Highway Driving Assist.

The bottom line: If you want the lower entry price and the strongest current value story, the 2021 is the better buy. If you’re willing to spend more for a newer model-year update and added convenience features, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path. For price-sensitive buyers, the 2021 remains the smarter starting point.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.