The K5 is the Optima’s replacement. We found this competitively priced midsized sedan to be roomy, fuel efficient, and user friendly.
The standard 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder engine punches above its weight class, and it delivers robust power that’s impressive from such a small displacement powerplant. It also delivers a commendable 32 mpg overall. The mostly smooth-shifting eight-speed automatic transmission is responsive but we noted a slight hesitation from a rolling stop—such as when a driver accelerates after slowing down for a red light that turns green before the car is stopped—which can be annoying.
The K5’s ride is steady and compliant and a notch better than its platform mate, the Hyundai Sonata. Note, however, that the GT-Line and the EX trims come standard with 18-inch wheels which detract from comfort, making the ride more tense. Ironically, the LXS may have a more comfortable ride, but it does not come standard with a power driver's seat and lumbar support adjustment.
We found that the K5 did a good job quelling most road and wind noise. However, the 1.6-liter turbo-four exhibited a louder-than-expected clamor during acceleration, even when the driver wasn’t pushing the car very hard.
The K5’s handling is capable and it remains under control even when pushed to its limits. That said, it doesn’t stand out from the crowd.
Refreshingly, the K5’s cabin has a conventional layout, replete with a traditional gear selector. Lower trims get an 8-inch infotainment display screen, while higher trims like the EX have a 10.25-inch touch screen. We found that both screens respond quickly to inputs, and it’s easy to figure out various menus.
Even with its snazzy styling, the K5 has a good amount of room inside the cabin, and decent outward visibility. The car is rather low slung, however, which makes getting in and out a bit of a chore. We liked that raised edges are built into the door trim to help close the door.
The basic driver’s seat found on the LX and LXS trims is fairly comfortable, but for a more supportive seat with more adjustments, buyers must opt for all-wheel-drive or step up to the GT-Line. For a touch of luxury, the EX trim brings an attractive mix of interior materials that wouldn’t be out of place in a luxury car, with lots of padded surfaces and some fake wood trim.
Forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, and lane keeping assistance are standard, as is a rear seat reminder. Blind spot warning and rear cross traffic warning come on the LXS trim and above.
The availability of all-wheel drive should broaden the K5’s appeal in snowy regions, joining the Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry in moving into a niche that was once owned almost entirely by the Subaru Legacy with its standard AWD.