Kia K5

[Picanto]

you have to be nuts crazy to pay 120k for a 1.8L civic

2 years ago 110k can get you a brand new honda accord

 

 

now is the present. comparing the present to 2 years ago makes no sense.

[Alfisti168]

I just taken a look at the K5 at Ubi. Interior plastics is definitely on par with the Japanese, even a VW Jetta. Didn't test drive the car though, so cannot comment on the drive.

 

Overall, a good effort by Kia.

I also took a look at the optima at alexandra showroom.

 

And here are what the car is no good at:

 

1. the leather seats don't feel like leather. feel like some PVC material. Its ok if the material is supple, but it isn't. Maybe the material is designed for grip, but I don't think that's the priority. Even those in the sportage and sorento feel miles better. (Sportage's seats are surprisingly comfy - that wasn't the impression i got the last time)

 

2. the aluminium bits in the interior are too dark, doesn't help improve the ambience.

 

3. the rear legroom is cramped. Yes, cramped. Trust me.

 

4. the window switches are awfully cheap. tick tack tick tack. Toyota Camrys NEVER have this issue.

 

5. The chrome strip that runs along the windows of the car is split as it runs through each door. Its ok if the gap of the strip is the same as that of the doors, giving the car consistency. Unfortunately, the gaps are noticeably larger than the door gaps. Reminds me of Made in China build quality.

 

6. Optima's boot is wider, but shallower than the Forte's. Which is bad because the hinges of the boot eat into the boot space drastically.

 

7. When you slide the vanity mirror, the light doesn't on automatically. Why?? And oh... the sunshade is a cheapo thing also.

 

8. Beside the gear lever is a blank switch which is supposed to control the ventilation for your seats. But to be fair, later versions will come with such seats, and by then it won't be blank anymore.

 

 

But i think these minor niggles are forgotten once you look at the car as a whole. Stunningly pretty (not the electric blue though - looks childish). Flawed, yet fantastic. Easily the best looking executive sedan in the market. Unless you can afford the Jag XF and the BMW 523, or the alfa 159 if you can't.

Edited February 20, 2011 by Alfisti168

[Alfisti168]

Hi everyone, the high specs will be brought in after this successful launch. 20 over units were sold within 2 days. Latest pricing will be $128999 with $6000 overtrade or discount. ETA June/July.

 

As expected, this Optima K5 attracted quite a no of jap owners driving their camrys and cefiros/teanas to have a look at this vehicle. Usual comments were given. Nothing new. Still having their usual doubts about KIA vehicles.

hmm. i didnt see jap cars only. I saw one Volvo S60 and one Benzy S300 too. And everyone seems to come in their whole family. Papa, mama and their teenage daughters.

[Saggi]

for the price..it too expensive.. korean are still korean !!

 

i rather go for a golf turbo 1.4 ..115K..

this car should be around 60-65K..then ok... with COE20K range

[Civic6228]

Man, those LEDs on the rear lights look like those on Audis!

 

Alas, I can't stomach paying 120K for this. Hope COE goes down to 30K or so. 90K would be reasonable!

 

I don't think COE will drop to the 30k in the near future, I agree that 120k for KIA is a little hard to stomach.When the I45 price went above 100k, there were little takers. Let seehow it goes ... as consumers may accept such price in the near future.

 

If OMV is at 17k and they selling at +110k, very good profit for C&C. The profit margin is similar to that of Mercedes which is a premium brand.

 

 

[Ghostami]

for the price..it too expensive.. korean are still korean !!

 

i rather go for a golf turbo 1.4 ..115K..

this car should be around 60-65K..then ok... with COE20K range

 

Just trying to be fair in comparison, golf turbo is a hatch, not a sedan. Maybe you should compare to a Jetta. Roadtax wise Jetta is cheaper but not sure about insurance. Secondly, gearbox, one is a dsg one is normal 6 speed auto. If you planning for a long term ownership, I am not sure about VW dsg, lots of complains circulating online.

 

Not to mention, Camry and Accord is now in $130++k region, so that is stomachable??

Edited February 20, 2011 by Ghostami

[Ghostami]

The link at sgcarmart cannot be posted...

Edited February 20, 2011 by Ghostami

[Icedbs]

I also took a look at the optima at alexandra showroom.

 

And here are what the car is no good at:

 

1. the leather seats don't feel like leather. feel like some PVC material. Its ok if the material is supple, but it isn't. Maybe the material is designed for grip, but I don't think that's the priority. Even those in the sportage and sorento feel miles better. (Sportage's seats are surprisingly comfy - that wasn't the impression i got the last time)

 

2. the aluminium bits in the interior are too dark, doesn't help improve the ambience.

 

3. the rear legroom is cramped. Yes, cramped. Trust me.

 

4. the window switches are awfully cheap. tick tack tick tack. Toyota Camrys NEVER have this issue.

 

5. The chrome strip that runs along the windows of the car is split as it runs through each door. Its ok if the gap of the strip is the same as that of the doors, giving the car consistency. Unfortunately, the gaps are noticeably larger than the door gaps. Reminds me of Made in China build quality.

 

6. Optima's boot is wider, but shallower than the Forte's. Which is bad because the hinges of the boot eat into the boot space drastically.

 

7. When you slide the vanity mirror, the light doesn't on automatically. Why?? And oh... the sunshade is a cheapo thing also.

 

8. Beside the gear lever is a blank switch which is supposed to control the ventilation for your seats. But to be fair, later versions will come with such seats, and by then it won't be blank anymore.

 

 

But i think these minor niggles are forgotten once you look at the car as a whole. Stunningly pretty (not the electric blue though - looks childish). Flawed, yet fantastic. Easily the best looking executive sedan in the market. Unless you can afford the Jag XF and the BMW 523, or the alfa 159 if you can't.

 

I agree with point 1, but doesn't agree with point 3 at all. I thought that the rear seats were quite spacious!

 

The rest of the points are minor. End of the day, it is a Kia, not a Merc. I would be surprised if it doesn't have those little issues.

 

 

 

 

[Sohboonguan]

Forte is good but Avante I feel is better both in looks and interior based on pictures.

 

I can't wait for its launch here.

 

The new one?

Given the current COE, the price will be much more expensive compare to the Avante back then.

During my time 2009, Avante is like 40~50k.

For it to launch in singapore, i estimate the price will be 70~85k judging on the current situation.

I believe design and styling up to individual, Avante might really be worth the price and wait.

And I also believe that the engineering of the Avante is better than Forte at least less vibration and better sound proofing.

:P good luck on your wait.

[Expertz]

now is the present. comparing the present to 2 years ago makes no sense.

if what you say is true then we should also compare present k5 vs k5's competitors

jetta, accord, mazda 6, epica, legacy, teana, camry are ALL more expensive than the k5 and offer lesser features than the k5

 

i won't put k5 into the same bracket as a civic because civic is in the same bracket as a forte/avante and to choose a civic over a k5 is ridiculous, you are better off buying a 2L forte instead

 

 

also i was driving along a few days earlier when i saw a white car that looked like its a k5, had to squeeze my way past a few other cars just to get a closer look... to my dismay its an audi a6

having a car that looks 90% like an audi, drives like an audi but costs 2x cheaper is nothing to be ashamed of

[Tohto]

for the price..it too expensive.. korean are still korean !!

 

i rather go for a golf turbo 1.4 ..115K..

this car should be around 60-65K..then ok... with COE20K range

 

I agree that Golf TSi is a good car but you are not comapring apple to apple. Golf is a hatch. You need to be fair to compair.

You may need to compare the Passat (not even Jetta) which is the same size. Of cause the price for Passat is alot higher.

[Expertz]

for the price..it too expensive.. korean are still korean !!

 

i rather go for a golf turbo 1.4 ..115K..

this car should be around 60-65K..then ok... with COE20K range

 

60k for a k5 i'll sell my current car and buy 2!

or wait, if a k5 costs 60k then the koup should cost 40k and the forte 30k

going down the rio should be 20k and the picanto 10k

 

i'll rather buy 10 picantos instead...

but going further, chevy spark should cost 5k

 

 

QQ should be FREE!!!

 

then all 2nd hand dealers close shop, people get retrenched but cars become so cheap that our roads are over-populated, people can't get to work, economy fails, everybody gets retrenched

don't forget that cat b coe now costs 60k, c&c will be the 1st to close shop... so no more lancer/evo, no more merc, no more kia

 

singapore will crumble with your 60k for a premium car price tag!

 

 

Edited February 20, 2011 by Expertz

[Caddilac]

60k for a k5 i'll sell my current car and buy 2!

or wait, if a k5 costs 60k then the koup should cost 40k and the forte 30k

going down the rio should be 20k and the picanto 10k

 

i'll rather buy 10 picantos instead...

but going further, chevy spark should cost 5k

 

 

QQ should be FREE!!!

 

then all 2nd hand dealers close shop, people get retrenched but cars become so cheap that our roads are over-populated, people can't get to work, economy fails, everybody gets retrenched

don't forget that cat b coe now costs 60k, c&c will be the 1st to close shop... so no more lancer/evo, no more merc, no more kia

 

singapore will crumble with your 60k for a premium car price tag!

Great examples!

[Caddilac]

I also took a look at the optima at alexandra showroom.

 

And here are what the car is no good at:

 

1. the leather seats don't feel like leather. feel like some PVC material. Its ok if the material is supple, but it isn't. Maybe the material is designed for grip, but I don't think that's the priority. Even those in the sportage and sorento feel miles better. (Sportage's seats are surprisingly comfy - that wasn't the impression i got the last time)

 

2. the aluminium bits in the interior are too dark, doesn't help improve the ambience.

 

3. the rear legroom is cramped. Yes, cramped. Trust me.

 

4. the window switches are awfully cheap. tick tack tick tack. Toyota Camrys NEVER have this issue.

 

5. The chrome strip that runs along the windows of the car is split as it runs through each door. Its ok if the gap of the strip is the same as that of the doors, giving the car consistency. Unfortunately, the gaps are noticeably larger than the door gaps. Reminds me of Made in China build quality.

 

6. Optima's boot is wider, but shallower than the Forte's. Which is bad because the hinges of the boot eat into the boot space drastically.

 

7. When you slide the vanity mirror, the light doesn't on automatically. Why?? And oh... the sunshade is a cheapo thing also.

 

8. Beside the gear lever is a blank switch which is supposed to control the ventilation for your seats. But to be fair, later versions will come with such seats, and by then it won't be blank anymore.

 

 

But i think these minor niggles are forgotten once you look at the car as a whole. Stunningly pretty (not the electric blue though - looks childish). Flawed, yet fantastic. Easily the best looking executive sedan in the market. Unless you can afford the Jag XF and the BMW 523, or the alfa 159 if you can't.

I think it is less than 5cm shorter than Accord... If Optima is cramped then Mazda6 probably got no rear seat space already...

Btw maybe you should also praise some of the area where they have done a good job after critisizing it

[13177]

The new one?

Given the current COE, the price will be much more expensive compare to the Avante back then.

During my time 2009, Avante is like 40~50k.

For it to launch in singapore, i estimate the price will be 70~85k judging on the current situation.

I believe design and styling up to individual, Avante might really be worth the price and wait.

And I also believe that the engineering of the Avante is better than Forte at least less vibration and better sound proofing.

:P good luck on your wait.

How come u know the avante engineering will be better than forte? You mean the new avante?

[Merkava]

Hmm, I guess this car does attracted quite a no of conti cars. Today, there were 2 surprise sales. 2 of my colleagues close K5 units with customers trading in their 4 year old BMW 520 and a 2 1/2 year old Toyota Camry. Their age group was in the 50s, 1 bought in cash, the other one took a $50k loan 3 years. So to each of his own, some like it, some don't like it, some doubt it and some criticise from bonnet to boot.

 

IMO, no one has the right to question you if you think its not worth to buy or not to buy this korean car. Its your money to spend. As long you are happy, its good enough.

[Sohboonguan]

How come u know the avante engineering will be better than forte? You mean the new avante?

 

I meant the Avante back then.

Based on my last test drive back in 2009 before I bought my Forte.

The drive feel, I think Avante drive smoother.

Forte has more vibration and makes more noise compare to Avante.

That is what i concluded back then...

New Avante? well... Maybe the new owners can comment on that after launching in singapore.

:P

[Proton_neutron]

 

 

If what one forumer pointed out that the Kia K5 is a sport's Executive Sedan rival, (rivalling the Toyota Mark X and Euro Accord and Mazda 6), judging from the limited sales of the rival cars, I suppose then the Kia K5 appeals only to a unique group of customers, since he said that many wouldn't be able to stomach the aggressive and flambouyant looks of the K5.

 

However, regarding the high price of Korean cars, I think you'd just have to look at the number of i45's on the roads lately, to see how that mindset has changed with Singaporeans. I think people are willing to spend on a car, so long as it comes with stylish looks, and decent features to boot. If the i45 can sell decently well, I don't see why the Kia K5 can't. Anyways, we'd have to wait for at least 6 months for the next shipment to come in, to then judge fully the sales of the K5.