Used 2021 Kia K5 for Sale nearRaleigh, NC

Compare 2021 Kia K5 Trims in Raleigh, NC

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

• Starting at $14,495
• 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

LXS FWD — "Who It's For"

The LXS FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a budget-friendly option without sacrificing essential features.

• Avg. market price: $14,495 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 62 listings
• View LXS FWD listings

GT-Line FWD — "Who It's For"

The GT-Line FWD is the pick for shoppers who want a stylish and feature-rich sedan without going for the top trim.

• Avg. market price: $20,750 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 227 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 technology without the highest price tag.

• Avg. market price: $21,693 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 27 city / 37 hwy
• Inventory: 34 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 capability without a significant price increase.

• Avg. market price: $17,639 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 26 city / 34 hwy
• Inventory: 9 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 sporty performance with luxury features at a competitive price.

• Avg. market price: $18,998 (updated weekly)
• MPG/MPGe: 24 city / 32 hwy
• Inventory: 32 listings
• View GT FWD listings

Trim Recommendations

Most Popular — GT-Line FWD

With 227 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 $14,495 avg market price — below the lineup median of $18,998 — it's the most accessible entry point.

Browse LXS FWD listings

Best for Fuel Economy — LXS FWD

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

Browse LXS FWD listings

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 17, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.

How much does the 2021 Kia K5 cost?

Prices have softened 8.16% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 1,467 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 sharp styling and the sense that it feels fresh rather than conventional. On the other hand, some owners mention minor infotainment usability issues, and the expert review notes that it drives less sporty than it looks and that all-wheel drive is not available.

If you want a midsize sedan that feels distinctive and well-equipped rather than anonymous, the K5 fits that brief well. It also shows broad market appeal, with 31.9% of listings 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 feedback points to a dependable-feeling ownership experience, with drivers describing the car as smooth, trouble-free, and a model they can count on for everyday use. The expert review also emphasizes that the K5 has little shortcomings when driven gently as a family sedan, and Kia’s five-year/60,000-mile warranty with roadside assistance adds peace of mind for used buyers.

If you’re shopping used, the main long-term risk is making sure the car’s electronics and feature usability are working properly, since some owners mention infotainment quirks.

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 body panels, paint match, and any signs of prior repair. It’s also smart to focus on how the infotainment and driver-assistance features operate in real use, since those are the kinds of systems that can be costly or annoying if they’re not working correctly. If you’re comparing multiple listings, put the cleanest-condition car ahead of the cheapest one.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The LX is the simplest version and skips folding rear seats and push-button start, while the LXS adds those essentials along with 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 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 brings 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. AWD is available on the lesser-powered LXS and GT-Line, but not on the GT.
• 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 included 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 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, and the car can work with adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist features.
• 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 26/34/29.

Which 2021 Kia K5 trim should I buy?

The 2021 Kia K5 is offered in 6 trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, GT-Line Premium, 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’s best only if you’re focused on the lowest possible price.
• LXS: This is the best-value trim for most shoppers because it adds the everyday conveniences the LX misses, including folding rear seats, push-button start, proximity entry, remote start, and Smart Trunk.
• GT-Line: This is the sweet spot if you want the K5’s style to feel more complete, since it adds 18-inch wheels, fog lights, mirror turn signals, rear USB ports, and a power driver’s seat.
• GT-Line Premium: Choose this if you want the most upscale GT-Line setup, especially the panoramic sunroof, adaptive cruise control, and triple LED projector headlights.
• EX: This is the comfort-focused choice, with heated seats, ventilated seats, rear air vents, a Bose stereo, and the 10-inch infotainment system.
• GT: Pick this if you want the strongest performance hardware, including the 2.5-liter turbo engine, paddle shifters, 19-inch wheels, and quad exhaust tips.

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, with enough inventory and enough price softness to make comparison shopping worthwhile.

• Deal availability: 31.9% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 1,467 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 8.16% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 71.2% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $18,327, 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 $18,327 sits slightly below last year's $19,956.

That price movement suggests the K5 has already absorbed a meaningful amount of depreciation, which can help future sellers if they buy at the right price today. Because the market has softened, your resale outcome will depend heavily on trim, condition, and whether the car has a clean history. Well-equipped versions in strong condition should be easier to move later than rougher examples with accident history or missing features.

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 the GT-Line Premium package adds cyclist detection and Junction Turning. Rear emergency braking and parking sensors are included 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:

• 31.9% 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 8.16% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.73/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• The 2021 K5 is an all-new sedan that replaces the Optima with more style and speed.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $20,108, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $18,327 average.
• It adds redesigned emblems and a new Premium package with upgraded headlights, a heated steering wheel, and Highway Driving Assist.

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 softer market price. If you’re willing to pay more for a newer model year with a few added features, the 2022 is the cleaner upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 22, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.