Kia K5

[Yeshe]

Ummmmm... Hahaha... Now I know, I always thought all cat B car must be 50% do regardless of omv... Paiseh... Hehehhe

We know we know. For people paying full cash, usually very confused about 40% or 50%, because u don't give a damn anyway

[teomingern]

Congrats and enjoy your ride!

 

Haven't buy yet lar... it's a test drive report only... need to save the moolah for it...

 

The Sonata is much cheaper... $9,000 cheaper... pretty tempting to try for that one instead... need to do a back-to-back test drive to find the difference... my subjective memory is that the Sonata seems to be underpowered... or it might just be that the gearbox is tuned differently... on paper the difference is 10 bhp down on the Sonata... don't think that makes much difference as peak power is at almost 5000 RPM which we almost never reach...

[teomingern]

Actually I don't mind to pay for the OMV @ $24K if the current generation has as much features as the previous generation or at least the same as the current Sonata.

 

The Optima has more features than the base Sonata, if that's what you are referring to. I didn't compare the Optima to the sunroof Sonata though... the sunroof Sonata is $1000 more than the Optima. If we're comparing the base Sonata to the Optima (which has only one model), the Optima has several more options but also gives up some compared to the Sonata... off-hand these are some stuff:

 

This is a comparison between the base Sonata and the Optima

1) Electric driver's seat with memory. I think the Optima has more adjustment options (including lumbar) + memory

 

2) Fog lamps, I think the base Sonata has fogs but not the Optima

 

3) Optima has front sensors, base Sonata don't have

 

4) Base Sonata has reverse camera but Optima don't have

 

5) Base Sonata no electronic parking brake (I think it's still a handle) while the Optima has electronic parking brake.

 

6) Optima has all-round one-touch auto windows but I think only front seats for Sonata

 

7) Optima has the 3-second automatic boot release but not the base Sonata

 

8) Base Sonata doesn't have auto wipers but the Optima has.

 

9) Optima has keyless entry and keyless ignition. I think the base Sonata only has keyless entry but still to use the key to start engine (which makes keyless entry a bit pointless)

 

10) Optima has electrochromic rear view mirror (auto-dimming) but base Sonata I think don't have.

 

11) Optima has aux and USB charging jack in the rear, not sure if the base Sonata has or not.

 

12) Optima has 60/40 rear split seats, I think the base Sonata may not have.

 

Anyone knows, please update and correct... I'll have to wait until the new year is over to do a back-to-back on-the-spot detailed test and comparison...

Price is pretty close to Mazda6 2.0. Which has pretty much whatever K5 has + nicer looks + superb interior + branding.

 

Main reason is M6 OMV is below 20k.

 

Between M6 and K5.... I think majority will go for M6

 

Eh wrong... the base Mazda goes for $122,888 which compares with the Optima going for $121,999. The base Mazda hasn't got half of the features of the Optima... if you want whatever the Optima has, you've got to step up to the Executive model which is substantially more expensive, $5000 more to be precise.

[teomingern]

One other interesting point... the HU of the Optima is a non-touch screen. But on the price list, the reverse side has a list of accessories... and the Eurostyle HU apparently is an option for the Optima... but my SE says they don't bring any factory fitted model...

 

So is the Eurostyle HU the original HU for the Optima? But it's very expensive at $2000... it comes with navigation and the usual AV stuff and Bluetooth. The non-touch screen HU also has everything this has except non-touch screen, mono-colour, very small (smaller than my Samsung Galaxy Note 4)... hahaha...

 

Anyone knows anything about the Eurostyle HU? I didn't see it until I reached home and studied the price list.

[Kennethoka]

The Optima has more features than the base Sonata, if that's what you are referring to. I didn't compare the Optima to the sunroof Sonata though... the sunroof Sonata is $1000 more than the Optima. If we're comparing the base Sonata to the Optima (which has only one model), the Optima has several more options but also gives up some compared to the Sonata... off-hand these are some stuff:

 

This is a comparison between the base Sonata and the Optima

1) Electric driver's seat with memory. I think the Optima has more adjustment options (including lumbar) + memory

 

2) Fog lamps, I think the base Sonata has fogs but not the Optima

 

3) Optima has front sensors, base Sonata don't have

 

4) Base Sonata has reverse camera but Optima don't have

 

5) Base Sonata no electronic parking brake (I think it's still a handle) while the Optima has electronic parking brake.

 

6) Optima has all-round one-touch auto windows but I think only front seats for Sonata

 

7) Optima has the 3-second automatic boot release but not the base Sonata

 

8) Base Sonata doesn't have auto wipers but the Optima has.

 

9) Optima has keyless entry and keyless ignition. I think the base Sonata only has keyless entry but still to use the key to start engine (which makes keyless entry a bit pointless)

 

10) Optima has electrochromic rear view mirror (auto-dimming) but base Sonata I think don't have.

 

11) Optima has aux and USB charging jack in the rear, not sure if the base Sonata has or not.

 

12) Optima has 60/40 rear split seats, I think the base Sonata may not have.

 

Anyone knows, please update and correct... I'll have to wait until the new year is over to do a back-to-back on-the-spot detailed test and comparison...

 

Eh wrong... the base Mazda goes for $122,888 which compares with the Optima going for $121,999. The base Mazda hasn't got half of the features of the Optima... if you want whatever the Optima has, you've got to step up to the Executive model which is substantially more expensive, $5000 more to be precise.

Hi, actually I am comparing Optima with Sonata Sunroof version. Because OMV for both of them are almost the same. Optima $24K (From SE, need to confirm when first batch of cars are registered with LTA) vs Sonata S/R $24.5K (from SGCarMart which is from one motoring) and also the selling price $122K (Optima) vs $123K (Sonata S/R).

 

Most of the features which you had mention above Optima have, Sonata S/R also have and quite a few features Sonata S/R have, Optima doesn't have. Below are the list of features that Sonata S/R have and Optima doesn't have.

 

1) Ventilated Seat

2) Reverse Camera

3) Sunroof/Moonroof ( no different for insurance for Sonata base and S/R version)

4) Blind spot  detection

5) Passenger Electric Seat

6) Fog light

7) 18" Rim ( Optima 17")

 

Below are the list of features that Optima has and Sonata S/R doesn't has

 

1) Electric Parking Brake ( Sonata S/R is using foot parking brake instead hand brake)

2) Auto Hold Brake

3) Paddle Shift

Edited January 31, 2016 by Kennethoka

[Runforyourlife]

Hi, actually I am comparing Optima with Sonata Sunroof version. Because OMV for both of them are almost the same. Optima $24K (From SE, need to confirm when first batch of cars are registered with LTA) vs Sonata S/R $24.5K (from SGCarMart which is from one motoring) and also the selling price $122K (Optima) vs $123K (Sonata S/R).

 

Most of the features which you had mention above Optima have, Sonata S/R also have and quite a few features Sonata S/R have, Optima doesn't have. Below are the list of features that Sonata S/R have and Optima doesn't have.

 

1) Ventilated Seat

2) Reverse Camera

3) Sunroof/Moonroof ( no different for insurance for Sonata base and S/R version)

4) Blind spot detection

5) Passenger Electric Seat

6) Fog light

7) 18" Rim ( Optima 17")

 

Below are the list of features that Optima has and Sonata S/R doesn't has

 

1) Electric Parking Brake ( Sonata S/R is using foot parking brake instead hand brake)

2) Auto Hold Brake

3) Paddle Shift

Very comprehensive. I suppose the other only difference is the engine. Good summary. Wanna praise but cannot.

[teomingern]

Yes yes... very comprehensive... thank you very much and hmmm... yes it would seem the Sonata is better value... foot brake? How does that work? Never seen it before although I have heard of it.

[7hm]

So is the Eurostyle HU the original HU for the Optima? But it's very expensive at $2000... it comes with navigation and the usual AV stuff and Bluetooth. The non-touch screen HU also has everything this has except non-touch screen, mono-colour, very small (smaller than my Samsung Galaxy Note 4)... hahaha...

 

Anyone knows anything about the Eurostyle HU? I didn't see it until I reached home and studied the price list.

 

I can tell you the "Eurostyle" head unit is not an original piece from KIA. KIA's original infotainment system is known as the UVO architecture.

In fact "Eurostyle" is not the "style" or type of the head unit, it is a brand name.

I recall some K3 owners in the relevant thread said the latest version is fairly responsive and good, but an older one I tested in the Fulco management Optima K5 was sluggish and had severe interface flaws (such as capacitive buttons on the lower bezel, meaning you can easily navigate to another menu by mistake when targeting an option at the bottom), as well as no equalizer options at all.

 

The GPS system itself seems to be derived from Galactio (it looks similar to Marbella GPS). Personally I would stick to the original KIA head unit unless integrated GPS is a necessity.

You can actually find a standalone "Eurostyle GPS" from a dealer called Tomo-CSE: http://www.sgcarmart.com/products/overview.php?ID=6009

 

 

I'm surprised they brought in just the mono-screen though, I was expecting the small touchscreen ala the K3's.

[teomingern]

I can tell you the "Eurostyle" head unit is not an original piece from KIA. KIA's original infotainment system is known as the UVO architecture.

In fact "Eurostyle" is not the "style" or type of the head unit, it is a brand name.

I recall some K3 owners in the relevant thread said the latest version is fairly responsive and good, but an older one I tested in the Fulco management Optima K5 was sluggish and had severe interface flaws (such as capacitive buttons on the lower bezel, meaning you can easily navigate to another menu by mistake when targeting an option at the bottom), as well as no equalizer options at all.

 

The GPS system itself seems to be derived from Galactio (it looks similar to Marbella GPS). Personally I would stick to the original KIA head unit unless integrated GPS is a necessity.

You can actually find a standalone "Eurostyle GPS" from a dealer called Tomo-CSE: http://www.sgcarmart.com/products/overview.php?ID=6009

 

 

I'm surprised they brought in just the mono-screen though, I was expecting the small touchscreen ala the K3's.

 

To be honest I didn't try it but it was orange monochrome and so I assumed it wasn't touch screen. There were a lot of buttons on each side of the screen which is quite unlike a touch-screen. Buttons like Radio, Media, CD, Phone, etc... stuff which you wouldn't put as physical buttons once you have a touch-screen. But I could be dead wrong...

 

The reviews for the Eurostyle head unit on this website seems a mixed bag... and it covers several car brands... so they may have installed slightly different units? If it's just a GPS, I'm not going for it... anyway, I'm the impatient type, so I prefer something simple that works at my touch of a button... I have had some frustration with certain third party GPS units which are very cumbersome to find places and very slow to re-route... cos I always 'holland'...

Edited February 1, 2016 by teomingern

[Roh96]

I really like the outlook of K5. But my concern is whether this model will be used as taxi. The last thing i would want to do is to drive a car that is used as taxi model.

So between Mz6 and K5, i would rather pick the 6 for this reason.

[teomingern]

I really like the outlook of K5. But my concern is whether this model will be used as taxi. The last thing i would want to do is to drive a car that is used as taxi model.

So between Mz6 and K5, i would rather pick the 6 for this reason.

 

Well pick a colour that won't be used for a taxi...

[Kangadrool]

pink? 

Well pick a colour that won't be used for a taxi...

 

[Blackyv]

pink?

Like this??.. Hehehhe..

[7hm]

To be honest I didn't try it but it was orange monochrome and so I assumed it wasn't touch screen. There were a lot of buttons on each side of the screen which is quite unlike a touch-screen. Buttons like Radio, Media, CD, Phone, etc... stuff which you wouldn't put as physical buttons once you have a touch-screen. But I could be dead wrong...

 

The reviews for the Eurostyle head unit on this website seems a mixed bag... and it covers several car brands... so they may have installed slightly different units? If it's just a GPS, I'm not going for it... anyway, I'm the impatient type, so I prefer something simple that works at my touch of a button... I have had some frustration with certain third party GPS units which are very cumbersome to find places and very slow to re-route... cos I always 'holland'...

 

That one in SGCM is just a GPS unit of some kind that link to in-car system I think. The Eurostyle head unit offered by C&C for KIAs are a total head unit swap.

 

I assumed the latest Optima would be using a small color screen akin to that of the Cerato, but it seems what you experienced is similar to what I saw in a 2014 i40 estate last year. Except orange.

Apart from no GPS because no nav screen, that baseline head unit should at least have bluetooth and phone linking, sufficient for normal use. Then just get a external GPS unit imo.

[GLZT]

Like this??.. Hehehhe..

kia-k5-china-pink-cobra-1.jpg

Thailand alot of pink cabs. Haha.

 

Anyway, why cant memorize the road? Reliance on gps would only make you rely more in future. Its a good to have, but once you holland a few times without it you will carve the road directions in your mind.

[teomingern]

That one in SGCM is just a GPS unit of some kind that link to in-car system I think. The Eurostyle head unit offered by C&C for KIAs are a total head unit swap.

 

I assumed the latest Optima would be using a small color screen akin to that of the Cerato, but it seems what you experienced is similar to what I saw in a 2014 i40 estate last year. Except orange.

Apart from no GPS because no nav screen, that baseline head unit should at least have bluetooth and phone linking, sufficient for normal use. Then just get a external GPS unit imo.

 

Yeah it has the standard Bluetooth and phone uplink. Not sure if I want an external GPS unit. My dad gave the sales agent a call and he says the GPS unit is only $200+. I doubt it's the Eurostyle head unit though...

 

When you say total heat unit swap, then does the Eurostyle have all the Bluetooth and phone link plus mp3 USB aux etc?

[teomingern]

Thailand alot of pink cabs. Haha.

 

Anyway, why cant memorize the road? Reliance on gps would only make you rely more in future. Its a good to have, but once you holland a few times without it you will carve the road directions in your mind.

 

Sorry I cannot... hahaha... just will 'holland', especially if I never go for a while... that's me... 'holland king'... in army, topo get zero...

[GLZT]

Sorry I cannot... hahaha... just will 'holland', especially if I never go for a while... that's me... 'holland king'... in army, topo get zero...

 

Then you will need a darn good gps, not sure which is the perfect one, but last time I used a $400+ garmin gps and its so annoying I stopped using. Now gothere.sg is my friend every time I go to somewhere unfamiliar.