Top Safety Pick +Top Safety Pick criteria

2021 Kia K5

midsize car / 4-door sedan

Award applies only to vehicles built after November 2020

2021 Kia K5 4-door sedan

Crashworthiness

Rating overview
Small overlap front: driver-side
Small overlap front: passenger-side
Moderate overlap front: original test
Side: original test
Side: updated test
Roof strength
Head restraints & seats

Crash avoidance & mitigation

Headlights (varies by trim/option)
Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle
Optional system
Superior
Standard system
Superior
Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)
Optional system
Superior
Standard system
Advanced

Seat belts & child restraints

LATCH ease of use

Other available safety features

  • Optional blind spot detection
  • Standard lane departure warning & prevention

Key

  • G
    Good
  • A
    Acceptable
  • M
    Marginal
  • P
    Poor
  • Superior
  • Advanced
  • Basic

Some ratings use a scale of Poor to Good. Others range from Basic to Superior.

Small overlap front: driver-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia K5 LXS 4-door

The Kia K5 was introduced in the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima nameplate in the Kia lineup. Driver-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 K5 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTN2012
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 3
Footrest (cm) 4
Left toepan (cm) 3
Brake pedal (cm) 4
Parking brake (cm)
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Steering column 2
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 1
Upper dash (cm) 2
Lower instrument panel (cm) 3

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTN2012
Head
HIC-15 78
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 7
Maximum Nij 0.18
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.4
Right 0.1
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 1
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.45
Right 0.33
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 1.9
Right 0.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 55
Right 32

About the small overlap front test

Small overlap front: passenger-side

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia K5 LXS 4-door

The Kia K5 was introduced in the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima nameplate in the Kia lineup. Passenger-side small overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 K5 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Hip/thigh
Lower leg/foot
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on passenger side

Test ID VTP2016
Lower occupant compartment
Lower hinge pillar max (cm) 4
Footrest (cm) 7
Right toepan (cm) 4
Center toepan (cm) 2
Rocker panel lateral average (cm) 1
Upper occupant compartment
Center dash (cm) 1
Upper hinge pillar max (cm) 2
Upper dash (cm) 2
Right lower dash (cm) 3

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTP2016
Head
HIC-15 83
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.0
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.20
Chest maximum compression (mm) 23
Femur (kN)
Left 0.2
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.32
Right 0.61
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.3
Right 2.1
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 44
Right 97

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTP2016
Head
HIC-15 74
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Extension bending moment (Nm) 9
Maximum Nij 0.16
Chest maximum compression (mm) 24
Femur (kN)
Left 0.5
Right 0.5
Knee displacement (mm)
Left 0
Right 1
Knee-thigh-hip injury risk (%)
Left 0
Right 0
Maximum tibia index
Left 0.29
Right 0.23
Tibia axial force (kN)
Left 0.8
Right 1.2
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 24
Right 29

About the small overlap front test

Moderate overlap front: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia K5 LXS 4-door

The Kia K5 was introduced in the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima nameplate in the Kia lineup. Moderate overlap frontal ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 K5 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Chest
Leg/foot, left
Leg/foot, right
Driver restraints and dummy kinematics
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTF2016
Footwell intrusion
Footrest (cm) 3
Left (cm) 4
Center (cm) 6
Right (cm) 1
Brake pedal (cm) 9
Instrument panel rearward movement
Left (cm) 0
Right (cm) 0
Steering column movement
Upward (cm) 0
Rearward (cm) -3
A-pillar rearward movement (cm) 0

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTF2016
Head
HIC-15 232
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.7
Extension bending moment (Nm) 14
Maximum Nij 0.15
Chest maximum compression (mm) 25
Legs
Femur force - left (kN) 0.3
Femur force - right (kN) 0.7
Knee displacement - left (mm) 0
Knee displacement - right (mm) 0
Maximum tibia index - left 0.38
Maximum tibia index - right 0.44
Tibia axial force - left (kN) 2.3
Tibia axial force - right (kN) 1.6
Foot acceleration (g)
Left 50
Right 46

About the original moderate overlap front test

Side: original test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia K5 LXS 4-door

The Kia K5 was introduced in the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima nameplate in the Kia lineup. Side ratings are assigned by the Institute based on a test of a 2021 Kia K5 conducted by Hyundai/Kia.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Driver head protection
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis/leg
Rear passenger head protection
Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID VTS2017
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -14.5
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID VTS2017
Head HIC-15 607
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) -0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 37
Lateral force (kN) 1.8
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 36
Average deflection (mm) 33
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.47
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.91
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.8
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.0
Combined force (kN) 1.7
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.6
L-M moment (Nm) 143
A-P moment (Nm) 62

Passenger injury measures

Test ID VTS2017
Head HIC-15 182
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.1
Compression (kN) 0.9
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 17
Lateral force (kN) 0.9
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 22
Average deflection (mm) 19
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 2.35
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.20
Pelvis
Iliac force (kN) 0.3
Acetabulum force (kN) 1.9
Combined force (kN) 2.1
Left femur
L-M force (kN) 0.4
L-M moment (Nm) 127
A-P moment (Nm) -54

About the original side crash test

Side: updated test

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Tested vehicle: 2023 Kia K5 LXS 4-door

The Kia K5 was introduced in the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima nameplate in the Kia lineup.

Overall evaluation
Structure and safety cage
Driver injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Driver head protection
The dummy's head moved downward past the side curtain airbag and struck the window sill of the driver door. The head protection is inadequate.
Rear passenger injury measures
Head/neck
Torso
Pelvis
Rear passenger head protection

View of the vehicle just after the crash test.

View of the vehicle after the crash with doors removed, showing the side airbags and damage to the occupant compartment.

Smeared greasepaint shows that the driver dummy's head moved downward, past the side curtain airbag, and contacted the window sill.

Smeared greasepaint shows where the rear passenger dummy’s head was protected by the side airbag.

Technical measurements for this test

Measures of occupant compartment intrusion on driver side

Test ID CES2303
B-pillar to longitudinal centerline of driver's seat (cm) -11.0
Negative numbers indicate the amount by which the crush stopped short of the seat centerline.

Driver injury measures

Test ID CES2303
Head
HIC-15 216
Peak gs at hard contact 40
Neck
Tension (kN) 1.3
Compression (kN) 0.3
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 47
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 43
Average deflection (mm) 39
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 5.71
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.91
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 4.1

Passenger injury measures

Test ID CES2303
Head
HIC-15 107
Peak gs at hard contact no contact
Neck
Tension (kN) 0.8
Compression (kN) 0.7
Shoulder
Lateral deflection (mm) 22
Lateral force (kN) 1.4
Torso
Maximum deflection (mm) 32
Average deflection (mm) 24
Maximum deflection rate (m/s) 3.45
Maximum viscous criterion (m/s) 0.44
Pelvis
Combined force (kN) 5.8

About the side crash test

Roof strength

Rating applies to 2021-23 models

Tested vehicle: 2021 Kia K5 LXS 4-door

Overall evaluation
Curb weight3,150 lbs
Peak force18,378 lbs
Strength-to-weight ratio5.83

About the roof strength test

Head restraints & seats

Seat type: Manual cloth seat

Overall evaluation
Dynamic rating
Seat/head restraint geometry
Technical measurements for this test
Seat type Manual cloth seat
Geometry
Backset (mm) 40
Distance below top of head (mm) 16
Seat design parameters
Pass/fail Pass
Max T1 acceleration (g) 11.6
Head contact time (ms) 67
Force rating 1
Neck forces
Max neck shear force (N) 21
Max neck tension (N) 470

About the head restraint & seat test
Currently, IIHS tests apply only to front seats.

Headlights

Ratings are given for 4 different headlight variations available on this vehicle.

Trim level(s)

  • GT-Line trim equipped with Premium package; built after November 2020
  • GT-Line trim equipped with AWD package; built after November 2020
  • GT trim equipped with GT1 package; built after November 2020
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual left and both right curves and fair on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • GT-Line trim equipped with Premium package
  • GT-Line trim equipped with AWD package
  • GT trim equipped with GT1 package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-24 models built after November 2020
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 96.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 62.4 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 82.3 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 71.1 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 73.0 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 63.7 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 183.6 m
Straightaway left edge 169.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 84.8 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 76.5 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 73.8 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 63.7 m

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim; built after November 2020
  • LXS trim; built after November 2020
  • GT-Line trim; built after November 2020
  • EX trim; built after November 2020
  • GT trim; built after November 2020
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit Some glare

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the sharp right curve and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams created some glare.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was good on the gradual right curve, fair on the gradual left and sharp right curves, and inadequate on the sharp left curve.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
  • LXS trim
  • GT-Line trim
  • EX trim
  • GT trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021-24 models built after November 2020
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 94.6 m 7.8%
Straightaway left edge 56.8 m 7.8%
250m radius right curve, right edge 69.0 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 48.9 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 51.7 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 43.0 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 142.7 m
Straightaway left edge 96.3 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 75.5 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 66.9 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 55.9 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 50.0 m

Trim level(s)

  • LX trim; built before December 2020
  • LXS trim; built before December 2020
  • GT-Line trim; built before December 2020
  • EX trim; built before December 2020
  • GT trim; built before December 2020
Low-beam headlight typeLED reflector
High-beam headlight typeLED reflector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was fair on both right curves and inadequate on both left curves.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was fair on the right side of the road and inadequate on the left side. On curves, visibility was fair on the gradual right curve and inadequate on the sharp right and both left curves.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • LX trim
  • LXS trim
  • GT-Line trim
  • EX trim
  • GT trim
Low-beam headlight type LED reflector
High-beam headlight type LED reflector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021 models built before December 2020
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 75.3 m None
Straightaway left edge 44.6 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 61.9 m None
250m radius left curve, left edge 42.7 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 49.8 m None
150m radius left curve, left edge 38.3 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 140.9 m
Straightaway left edge 110.9 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 72.1 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 63.1 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 53.1 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 46.4 m

Trim level(s)

  • GT-Line trim equipped with Premium package; built before December 2020
  • GT-Line trim equipped with AWD package; built before December 2020
  • GT trim equipped with GT1 package; built before December 2020
Low-beam headlight typeLED projector
High-beam headlight typeLED projector
Curve-adaptive?No
High-beam assist?Yes
Overall rating
Distance at which headlights provide at least 5 lux illumination:
car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler car-simpler 0 ft 100 ft 200 ft 300 ft 400 ft 500 ft 600 ft Low beams Optimal low-beam illumination High beams Optimal high-beam illumination High-beam assist credit

Low beams
On the straightaway, visibility was inadequate on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

The low beams never exceeded glare limits.

High beams
On the straightaway, visibility was good on both sides of the road. On curves, visibility was inadequate in all 4 tests.

High-beam assist compensates for some limitations of this vehicle's low beams on the straightaway and all 4 curves.

Technical measurements for this test
Trim level(s)
  • GT-Line trim equipped with Premium package
  • GT-Line trim equipped with AWD package
  • GT trim equipped with GT1 package
Low-beam headlight type LED projector
High-beam headlight type LED projector
Curve-adaptive? No
High-beam assist? Yes
Overall rating
Applies to 2021 models built before December 2020
LOW BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)		 Amount glare
exceeded threshold
Straightaway right edge 49.2 m None
Straightaway left edge 41.2 m None
250m radius right curve, right edge 44.9 m None
250m radius left curve, right edge 37.2 m None
150m radius right curve, right edge 43.6 m None
150m radius left curve, right edge 33.6 m None
HIGH BEAMS Average minimum useful
illumination distance (5 lux)
Straightaway right edge 157.5 m
Straightaway left edge 148.6 m
250m radius right curve, right edge 57.4 m
250m radius left curve, left edge 54.6 m
150m radius right curve, right edge 48.0 m
150m radius left curve, left edge 40.7 m

About the headlight evaluation

Front crash prevention: vehicle-to-vehicle

Ratings are given for 2 different trim variations available on this vehicle.

System details

  • Optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Cyclist Detection and Junction Turning

Package name

  • Optional Premium, AWD, or GT1 package

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021 models

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

System details

  • Standard Forward-Collision Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

Applies to 2021-23 models

Superior
Superior
  • This system meets the requirements for forward collision warning.
  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

About the original front crash prevention test

Front crash prevention: pedestrian (day)

Ratings are given for 2 different systems available on this vehicle.

System details

  • optional Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Cylist Detection and Junction Turning

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to 2021-24 models of the following trim lines: GT-Line trim equipped with Premium package, EX trim equipped with Premium package, GT trim equipped with GT1 package

Superior
Superior
with optional equipment

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 22 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision. A warning was issued 1.5 seconds before impact.

System details

  • standard Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) with Pedestrian Detection

Overall evaluation

This rating applies to all 2021-24 models

Advanced
Advanced

Crossing child

  • In the 12 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 3 mph.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 11 mph.

Crossing adult

  • In the 12 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 25 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 19 mph.

Parallel adult

  • In the 25 mph test, this vehicle avoided a collision.
  • In the 37 mph test, impact speed was reduced by 23 mph. A warning was issued 1.9 seconds before impact.

About the pedestrian front crash prevention test

Child seat anchors

Rating applies to 2021-25 models

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLXS
Seat type cloth

This vehicle has 2 rear seating positions with complete child seat attachment (LATCH) hardware.

It has 1 additional seating position with a tether anchor only.

Overall evaluation
Vehicle trimLXS
Seat type cloth
1 2 3
GGood
AAcceptable
MMarginal
PPoor
Seating positions that rely on borrowed lower anchors or have only a tether anchor available are not rated.
thether anchor symbol
Tether anchor
lower anchor symbol
Lower anchors
shared lower achors symbol
Lower anchor(s) can be borrowed from adjacent positions(s)
No hardware available

Details by seating position

1
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
2
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
none available
3
Tether anchor
easy-to-find location
no other hardware could be confused for anchor
Lower anchors
too deep in seat
not too much force needed to attach
easy to maneuver around anchors
Technical measurements for this test

Seat position 21

3

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 80
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 18
Clearance angle (degrees) 71
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 22

2

Lower anchor A
No lower latch for this seat position
Lower anchor B
No lower latch for this seat position
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

Seat position 23

1

Lower anchor A
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 19
Clearance angle (degrees) 66
Lower anchor B
Open access rated No
Depth (cm) 2-4
Force (lbs) 15
Clearance angle (degrees) 60
Tether anchor
Location Rear deck
Confusing hardware present No
Has contrasting label
within 3 inches of tether anchor		 No
Tether anchors can be accessed
while seatback is properly positioned
for use of LATCH		 Not measured

About the child seat anchor evaluation