2021 Kia K5 MPG and Fuel Cost
The 2021 Kia K5 is rated 27 to 32 mpg combined across 4 EPA-tested gas versions; the best is the 1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · auto start-stop.
EPA fuel economy
2021 Kia K5 · 4 EPA-tested versionsBest EPA rating
32MPG combined
29 city 38 highway
$2,050 a year to fuel
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · auto start-stop
Best version saves $1,250 in fuel over 5 years vs the average new vehicle (EPA)
Fuel cost: 15,000 miles a year at EPA's $4.32 a gallon (regular gas).
At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $2,050 to $2,400 a year.
Every 2021 K5 version
EPA's ratings for each version it tested. Fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current prices.
| Version | Combined | City / Hwy | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · auto start-stop Best
EPA listing: K5 |
32 mpg | 29 / 38 | $2,050 |
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · no start-stop
EPA listing: K5 |
31 mpg | 27 / 37 | $2,100 |
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic
EPA listing: K5 AWD |
29 mpg | 26 / 34 | $2,250 |
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automated manual
EPA listing: K5 |
27 mpg | 24 / 32 | $2,400 |
Fuel cost at your prices
EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.32 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.
| Version | Per year | 5 years |
|---|---|---|
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · auto start-stop | $2,025 | $10,125 |
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · no start-stop | $2,090 | $10,452 |
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic | $2,234 | $11,172 |
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automated manual | $2,400 | $12,000 |
At the default settings the results match EPA's annual cost before EPA rounds it to the nearest $50.
Kia K5 MPG by model year
The best-rated version in each model year; the highlighted year is this page. Gas: 30 to 32 mpg (every year from 2021 to 2026); highest in 2021.
2021: gas 32 mpgTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
| Model year | Best gas version |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 32 |
| 2022 | 32 |
| 2023 | 31 |
| 2024 | 31 |
| 2025 | 30 |
| 2026 | 30 |
How the 2021 K5 compares
2021 midsize sedans covered on this site, ranked by their best combined rating. Fuel cost is for each model's cheapest version to run, at EPA's prices.
| 2021 model | Best combined | Best gas | Fuel / year |
|---|---|---|---|
Best: hybrid |
52 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,250 |
Best: hybrid |
52 mpg | 32 mpg | $1,250 |
Best: hybrid |
48 mpg | 33 mpg | $1,350 |
Best: gas |
32 mpg | 32 mpg | $2,050 |
Kia K5 This page Best: gas |
32 mpg | 32 mpg | $2,050 |
Best: gas |
32 mpg | 32 mpg | $2,050 |
2021 K5 recalls and complaints
NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 167 owner complaints for the 2021 K5.What they cover, and crash test ratingsQuestions
Does AWD lower the 2021 Kia K5's gas mileage?
Yes. On versions that differ only in drive, AWD lowers the combined rating by 2 mpg: the 1.6L turbo 4-cyl gets 31 mpg combined with front-wheel drive and 29 with AWD.
Does the 2021 Kia K5 need premium gas?
No. EPA lists every 2021 Kia K5 version on regular gasoline.
Sources and method
- US EPA and Department of Energy fuel economy data (fueleconomy.gov), file dated Sep 18, 2026.
- EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.32, midgrade $4.93, premium $5.32, diesel $6.29 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
- Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Sep 27, 2026 and complaint file dated Sep 26, 2026.
Ratings are EPA estimates. Real-world mileage depends on how, where and in what weather you drive. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.