2021 Kia Optima GT Confirmed With 286 HP, 8-Speed Dual-Clutch

The new Optima also gets available all-wheel drive and a digital instrument cluster. 

After fully debuting the exterior of the Kia K5 (still known as the Optima outside of South Korea, for now) in early November, the company now releases interior and powertrain details for the latest generation of the midsize sedan. It's worth noting that this info pertains to the South Korean market, so the details could change for other regions.

Folks in snowy climates should be happy to know that that new K5/Optima is available with all-wheel drive for some powerplants.  Front-wheel drive is still standard, and the automaker isn't yet specifying which engines are available with AWD.

Kia's announcement specifically notes two of the powertrains coming to the North American version of the K5/Optima. The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder carries over from the existing model and still makes 178 horsepower (132 kilowatts) and 195 pound-feet of torque (265 Newton-meters) of torque. 

The big addition to the range is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder for the performance-oriented GT trim. This powerplant makes 286 hp (213 kW) and 311 pound-feet (422 Nm) of torque. Kia claims acceleration to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 6.6 seconds. The company also offers this engine with a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission or a traditional eight-speed automatic with a torque converter.

Depending on the market, the K5/Optima is also available with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 150 hp (112 kW) and 142 lb-ft (192 Nm), a version of this engine with continuously-variable valve lift that pushes the output to 158 hp (118 kW) and 145 lb-ft (196 Nm), and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 191 hp (143 kW) and 181 lb-ft (246 Nm). These engines would be available with either a six- or eight-speed automatic, but the dual-clutch eight-speed unit appears exclusive to the GT model. There are also hybrid powertrains on the way, but Kia isn't offering details about them yet.

Oddly, Kia is only providing a rendering of the new K5/Optima's interior but is willing to offer lots of details about it. The latest generation is available with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an optional 10.25-inch infotainment screen rises over the dashboard from the center stack. Buyers can specify an 8-inch head-up display, too.

Kia's large number of available active safety systems expands with the addition of Remote Smart Parking Assist. With this tech, a press on the key fob causes the vehicle to pull out of a parking spot autonomously.


The new K5 goes on sale in many of the company's markets in the first half of 2020. Look for the new K5/Optima to arrive in the United States in the latter half of 2020 as a 2021 model year vehicle. Rumors suggest Kia might unify its naming scheme and start calling the sedan K5 worldwide.

Motor1.com reached out to Kia to learn whether this announcement was confirmation of the company using the K5 name in the United States. We received the following response: "KMA has made no official announcement and I can’t comment on future product other than to say the Optima is an important vehicle in Kia’s lineup and will continue to be, regardless of the badge."

Refrigerated vans are modern day necessities. And these have made our lives better and easy as well. If you want know more details about the refrigerated van for sale near me, then please contact us in the comment section.