Performance Review: KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo - [2021]

Figures & Specs Summary:

KIA K5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo is the 8 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2021. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular KIA K5 has a 2497cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The K5 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the K5's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1464 kgs (3227 lbs) this makes the KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The KIA K5 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2497cc 16V St4 engine produces 290 bhp (216 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 311 lb-ft (421.6 Nm) @ 5800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Porsche Boxster Spyder RS 4.0 982 (332 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the KIA K5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur 6.0 W12 (223.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the KIA K5.

The KIA K5 has a Power to weight ratio of 198.0 bhp per ton and 212.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2021 K5 competing with the 2005 Bentley Continental Flying Spur 6.0 W12 (223.0 bhp per ton) or the 2019 Audi Q3 RS Sportback 2.5 Turbo (222.5 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the KIA K5 generating around 212.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 6.4 V8 (237.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (236.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo as fast as the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the K5 and the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8

When talking about the performance of the KIA K5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.76 secs @ 99.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra 4.6 V8 (13.72 secs), the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (13.72 secs), and the 2012 Renault Megane RenaultSport 2.0T 265 Cup (13.73 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2021 version of the KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2021 K5 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2021 K5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of KIA

Car Comparison