Kia has a fantastic lineup ready for 2021, including a pair of extraordinary sedans. The 2021 K5 and the 2021 Stinger are powerful, comfortable, and loaded with options sure to impress owners and passengers alike. Go over the condensed version of what each model has to offer below, so you’ll know which 2021 Kia is right for your needs.
Two Sedans with all of the Trimmings
The 2021 Kia K5 is available in five trim levels, including the LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. The 2021 Stinger comes in four trim levels, including the GT-Line, GT, GT1, and GT2. The body styles of the two sedans are sleek and stylish, with the K5 bearing the fiercer look. Its exterior features include a wide black grated grille that folds seamlessly under the headlights, powered and heated folding side mirrors with turn signal indicators, and a rear lip spoiler. Chrome rear window moldings are standard at every trim level.
The 2021 Kia Stinger has relatively smooth and shallow body lines compared to the K5, giving it a more downtown look. The grille is higher up on the front of the Stinger, grated in a different manner, and in chrome rather than black. The Stinger’s headlights have a smooth shape, while the K5 sports sharper, angular versions. The 2021 Kia Stinger boasts a powered lift-gate, while the K5 is restricted to a standard trunk.
Engines, Transmissions, and Drivetrains
Two engines are available on each of these great Kia sedans. The first engine available on the 2021 Kia K5 is a 1.6-liter I-4 regular gas engine providing 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The K5’s second engine, available at higher trim levels, is a 2.5-liter I-4 regular gas engine with an intercooled turbo, capable of generating 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.
The 2021 Kia Stinger’s standard engine is a 2.0-liter I-4 premium gas engine with an intercooled turbo, granting 255 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The most potent engine option belongs to the Stinger, in the form of a 3.3-liter V-6 premium gas engine. It propels the Stinger forward with 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque.
These two Kias may be of the same class and year, but their drivetrains and transmission options are quite different. The 2021 K5 is available with either an eight-speed automated manual transmission or an eight-speed shiftable automatic transmission, while the 2021 Stinger comes with an eight-speed shiftable automatic regardless of trim level. The K5 is front-wheel-drive standard, while the Stinger is rear-wheel-drive standard, but both are available in all-wheel-drive.
Impressive Performance and Broad Customizability
The 2021 Kia K5 flies off of the line with a roar, capable of building easily to 5000 rotations per minute and reaching 60 from zero in seven seconds flat. The K5 broadcasts the vibe of a powerful sports car and is available with a broad range of upgrade options to brake sets, suspension systems, tires, and interior and exterior features.
The K5 features fully-independent four-wheel suspension, 16-inch wheels, and wheel locks standard, while the Stinger comes with 18-inch alloy wheels and independent multi-link suspension. The 2021 Kia K5 has 16 cubic feet of cargo area, while the 2021 Stinger boasts 23.3 square feet or 40.9 square feet with seat area included.
Interior Style: Sport vs. Luxury
The interiors of the K5 and the Stinger present very different atmospheres. The 2021 Stinger is built with the sleek but fierce look of a sports car. The Stinger’s red leather seating option is particularly eye-catching, as are its chrome-accented console sections. The K5 has a more relaxed interior feel, with soft leather seating, a practical digital instrument layout, and a large and easy to access infotainment center. The Stinger’s infotainment system is set high up on the dash compared to the one on the K5, and its digital display and console instrumentation have a wilder, speed-demon look.
Entertainment and Convenience Features
You’ll find that both the 2021 K5 and the 2021 Stinger sport an impressive array of interior features sure to entertain and relax you and everyone you bring along for the ride. The K5’s entertainment features include a 12-speaker sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio, smart device integration through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, voice-activated radio, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The Stinger features a larger 15-speaker sound system with a 720-watt amplifier. Both speaker sets can be upgraded to premium versions. A Bose system upgrade is available for the K5, and a Harman/Kardon system upgrade is available for the Stinger.
In terms of convenience, the Stinger is king, featuring an impressive list of 73 features to the K5’s 66. The two models are comparable in charging power. The K5 has 5 USB ports and one DC outlet, while the Stinger has two USB ports and three DC outlets. If you are running a large number of smaller devices, the K5 is the stronger choice, but if passenger laptops and netbooks are your cup of tea, go with the Stinger.
Critical Safety Features
Kia never skimps on its sedan’s safety features, so you’ll find similar setups on the 2021 K5 and the 2021 Stinger. The star of the show in both cases is Kia’s highly responsive forward collision avoidance assistance system. It allows your Kia to detect an incoming forward collision and apply pressure to the brakes as needed to prevent it, even when the driver is incapable of breaking. The air bags in the front seat area are occupant-sensing on both vehicles. The K5 has a set of nine air bags, while the Stinger has a smaller set of seven.
Both vehicles have rear child safety locks to protect your most valuable cargo, along with security systems, panic alarms, remote-activated perimeter approach lights, and GPS tracker systems. In the unlikely event of vehicle theft, these tracker systems can be activated with your permission so that authorities can return your Kia to you with ease. Electronic stability and traction controls are likewise standard on both vehicles, as are compact spare tires, daytime running lights, an engine immobilizer, and more.
The 2021 Kia K5 and Stinger clearly have a great deal to offer car-lovers nationwide. Take a closer look at the rest of what they have to offer at Huffines Kia in Corinth, Texas. Their experienced and professional staff will gladly guide you through their impressive inventory toward the K5 or Stinger of your dreams.
Image via Flickr by CapCase