8.46 seconds and 21.5 km/L. It has captured both power and efficiency perfectly. This challenge has been accomplished by the K5 Hybrid.
I met the K5 again. This time, it’s the Hybrid model. An eco-friendly car composed of a 2.0 Smartstream engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor.
The engine produces 152 horsepower, while the motor output is 38.6 kW. Although the specifications or brochure do not list a combined output, research indicates it to be 195 horsepower. The kerb weight is 1,540 kg. A few numbers clearly reveal the character of this car: a mid-sized sedan with adequate performance.
The seat position, considering itโs a sedan, is relatively low. Upon entering through the door, one feels as if they are sitting quite low. The 0-100 km/h acceleration time is 8.46 seconds. It may not be classified as fast, but it’s sufficient power for everyday driving. The car operates via front-wheel drive. At speeds around 100 km/h, it runs smoothly. As speed increases into high-speed driving, body roll amplifies along with road undulations.
It features Pirelli P Zero tires sized 235/45 R18. Pirelli tires, indeed! Regardless of their compatibility with hybrids, itโs clear that Pirelli tires reflect a genuine commitment to the vehicle.
At 100 km/h, the RPM rises to 2,100. Although it uses a 2.0 engine, it cannot keep engine RPMs lower, likely due to the 6-speed transmission. With a 7 or 8-speed gear, it might be possible to lower RPMs further and achieve better fuel efficiency. Additionally, a multi-speed transmission could be beneficial when utilizing more power. Now, 6 speeds no longer seem adequate; how quickly time flies!
There are features unique to โhybridโ. e-Ride and e-Handling. It is a concept where the motor intervenes during driving to stabilize the vehicle’s behavior. e-Ride controls the motor to move in the opposite direction of the vehicle’s movement when passing over bumps like speed bumps. e-Handling also adjusts the load on the front and rear axles through motor acceleration and deceleration, responding quickly at the start of steering and smoothly during steering recovery, thereby improving driving stability. This method, utilizing the motor, is a function only possible in hybrids.
The rear window is equipped with double-layered acoustic glass. This indicates an enhanced noise reduction level. You can also experience electric motor driving in the 60 km/h range. The feeling when moving solely with the motor, without the engine, is truly pleasant.
The paddle shift can be used in two ways. In sports mode, the paddles are used for manual shifting. In eco mode, the paddles are used to adjust the intensity of the regenerative braking system. No matter the usage, having paddles is advantageous as they provide a means of interaction with the vehicle.
A hybrid that has poor fuel efficiency makes little sense. High efficiency is crucial. The official combined fuel economy for the 18-inch tires is 17.1 km/L. If driven very economically, it can achieve even better figures. In real-world driving from Heyri Village to Seoul Gyodae Station over 55 km, the fuel efficiency recorded was 21.5 km/L. This is impressive, considering it was achieved in severe traffic congestion. Hybrids stand out especially in stop-and-go scenarios, as the engine can be put to sleep with the motor taking the lead instead.
The remote forward and reverse function facilitates parking in tight spaces. After exiting the vehicle, the driver can use the remote key’s button to maneuver the car into place.
The safety and convenience features are top-notch. It includes a premier infotainment system, voice recognition system, car pay, car-to-home features, and even OTT services. Itโs a level of comfort that import cars struggle to match. Moreover, the pricing is competitive.
The starting price for the new K5 is 27,840,000 KRW for the 2.0 gasoline version. The hybrid ranges from 33,260,000 KRW to 38,110,000 KRW. There’s also a 1.6 turbo and a 2.0 LPi variant. The lineup is broad enough to cater to various preferences and budgets.
This car appeals significantly to practical consumers who seek reasonable spending.
While electric vehicles are experiencing a slowdown, hybrid cars are making remarkable gains. Although it may seem like a back-and-forth competition, in a broader sense, the number of eco-friendly cars is increasing. The fierce competition for dominance in the eco-friendly vehicle market is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, the increase in eco-friendly cars is beneficial. Competition is a catalyst for collective growth.
Oh Jong-hoon’s straightforward commentary:
There is a gap where the roof and front windshield connect. The texture of the material can be felt at your fingertips. The top part of the trunk reveals bare steel. It seems like they have built the car well but left some finishing rough in minor areas. This is a disappointing aspect.
The wake-up command that activates the feature by calling it ‘high Kia’ is not applied. This feature has recently started to be applied to the Carnival, and it would be desirable for it to be applied quickly to the K5 as well.
Oh Jong-hoon yes@autodiary.kr