What was worrying?
Frankly, I was afraid to drive Kia K5 in winter.
First, a five-foot sedan with a clearance of just 165mm (by our measurements) didn’t look like a fighter with unclean yards and country trails. Looking ahead: I only suspected that there would be problems with the snow removal.
Second, K5 seems to be prepared for frost, but the implementation of some options was embarrassing. For example, in some places the heating wires from the windshield do not reach the roof pillar 15 cm, and remote starting from the remote control does not turn on electric heating – only the “stove”.
What’s the deal?
It turned out that the windshield is generally well heated by wires.
I was more infuriated with the heating automatically turning off every 5-10 minutes because without it the wiper blades often freeze. Which, by the way, had to be replaced long before the first MOT: they smeared the reagent slurry on the glass. At first I just wanted to replace the rubber bands, but it turned out that the right and left wipers have different widths and profiles, so it’s not that easy to pick up a cheap non-original one.
The 2.0 naturally aspirated engine quickly heats the interior and even heats the windscreen without the help of electricians.
remote start justified by the fact that the engine warms up quickly with it: a cycle of 10 minutes is enough to defrost the windshield with hot air at -10 . The electronic control of the motor thermostats certainly helps with this – only there are more and more complaints about the malfunctions on the internet. We are still working.
Getting into a car with clean windows, but freezing cold seats remains unpleasant. And even after turning on the heating, leather seats don’t heat up as quickly.
How does it drive on snow and ice?
As for cross-country capability, the K5 is clearly aided by a flat bottom tucked into shields. Never got stuck. Although before the virgin lands, it is better to disable the traction control system that works too diligently – luckily this is done by a physical button that is easy to find by touch.
And I praise the human (admittedly old-fashioned) selector of the automatic transmission: in “borderline” situations it was always possible to roll out, which is hardly possible with buttons or a switch ring.
But tires 235/45 R18 are clearly too wide for winter driving: they pop up early in the slush and noticeably “hold” the car in deep snow. Where the basic 16- or 17-inch wheels with a tire profile width of 215 mm would be better suited.
And handling it on slippery surfaces is somehow… disingenuous. It feels like you’re driving on a dry autobahn: when you turn the steering wheel, the return force increases considerably. The electric booster doesn’t have much of an effect, so you can feel with your fingertips when ice appears under the wheels instead of asphalt. And he also became the only reason to suspect a breakdown: in the cold at 20 degrees on an unheated car, he growled unhealthy a few times. But as it got warmer, it disappeared.
What confused?
Probably the biggest mystery of the Kia K5 is why it was made a sedan and not a liftback. The shape of the body clearly refers to a fully opening hole in the trunk. But no – only a small lid goes up, while the snow that has not been removed from it falls on the glass and from there into the trunk.
The black glossy liner on the lid, which gives the illusion of a large “hatchback” glass, is also a headache source. On the first machines, water flowed past the mounting into the lid. Then the design seemed to have changed – everything is dry on our car, but in winter the ice in the cracks around the liner cracks on bumps.
Well, an obvious shortcoming in practice – a narrow manhole from the trunk to the cabin. I put a mattress 80 cm wide in it “with a press fit”. In short, what stopped you from making a big and convenient elevator door, like in the Kia Stinger liftback?
What are the costs?
Winter surprisingly reduced fuel consumption – from 8.87 l/100 km to 8.7. But this is where the abundance of off-road driving has quite an impact: I still really like how the K5 handles on the highway and how comfortable the driver’s seat is on long journeys.
Perhaps this is all that has been accumulated in six months of life with a car that suddenly became almost as popular as the Toyota Camry. Most likely, major problems with him will have to wait a long time. For example, due to the very dubious anti-corrosion coating of the bottom.
Kia K5, 2.0 (150 HP), A6
- Manufacturer — Kia Motors Russia and CIS
- Year of issue — 2021
- In operation “Behind the wheel” – from September 2021
- Mileage at time of report – 18,000 km
Operating and maintenance costs (5,000–18,000 km)*,
- Maintenance costs: 5000-8000 km 12 492
- Of which for petrol (AI‑92, average consumption 8.87 l/100 km) 12 492
- Maintenance costs: 8,000–18,000 km 56 090
- Of which for petrol (AI‑92, average consumption 8.70 l/100 km) 40 890
- Lynx wiper blades 1700
- TO-1 13 500
- General Expenses 68 582
- Cost 1 km running$5.28
* Excluding the costs of OSAGO and hull insurance.
In our “Park ZR” section you can ask a question about the operation of each editorial car.
- Read here all the differences between Kia K5 and its predecessor Kia Optima.
- Car accessories are inexpensive and offer real benefits! We recommend looking at the windshield drain, hood and trunk stoppers, and radiator guards.
- “Driving” can also be read on Viber.
Expert “Behind the wheel” – about the results of the first winter of the Korean business sedan.
