Can The 2021 Kia K5 GT Take On A BMW330i And Win At Anything? - Maybe So

Facts matter. Not much these days in America, or in the soundproof confines of our personal echo chambers, or, generally speaking, in the fallow intellectual fields spreading across the internet in 2020. But they do matter—even at this moment, there are these immutable aspects of reality even the most fervent beliefs cannot change. The sky is blue. The earth is indeed round. And a Kia can out-perform a BMW.

I should be more specific, because this isn’t a story dealing out half-truths in pursuit of a delicious, delicious take. Just the facts, ma'am. Ergo: The front-wheel-drive 2021 Kia K5 GT, the Korean automaker’s edgy Optima reboot with a 290-hp turbo four and a DCT, has a quicker 0-60 mph time, better cornering and better overall handling performance than the rear-wheel-drive 2020 BMW 330i.

Yonder7 - 11/18/2020 1:54:58 PM

+4 Boost

Well done Kia...

valhallakey - 11/18/2020 9:44:25 PM

+2 Boost

Good on Kia, BMW really has lost their way in the last decade or so, trying to be the Toyota of Germany. On the other hand I will say numbers are not everything. A Miata may not be the quickest, pull the most lateral Gs etc compared to some small sedans out there... but it is likely a lot more fun to drive.

Yonder7 - 11/18/2020 9:48:06 PM

+2 Boost

Well a KIA whith those numbers looks a lot more fun than the Bimmer and on top of tha better warranty.

cidflekken - 11/19/2020 10:39:13 AM

+3 Boost

I'm sure there are tons of lower-priced cars that can outperform more expensive cars, i.e., Camaro, Mustang, Civic Type-R, Veloster N, to name a few. But it takes more than just numbers to make a winner. The K5, along with the Sonata, are criticized for lack of refinement and bad ride quality.

And, let's face it, run flat tires suck big donkey sticks. I hated them when I had them as they felt as slippery as black ice.