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 versions

Best EPA rating

32MPG combined

29 city 38 highway

$1,950 a year to fuel

Fuel economy score7/10

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 $4.00 a gallon (regular gas).

Data: US EPA, fueleconomy.govUpdated Nov 12, 2026

At EPA's price assumptions, fuel costs $1,950 to $2,300 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	$1,950
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · no start-stop EPA listing: K5	31 mpg	27 / 37	$2,000
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic EPA listing: K5 AWD	29 mpg	26 / 34	$2,150
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automated manual EPA listing: K5	27 mpg	24 / 32	$2,300

Fuel cost at your prices

EPA's annual cost uses 15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving and its current prices: $4.00 a gallon for regular gas. Change the numbers to match your driving.

Version	Per year	Per month	5 years
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · auto start-stop	$1,875	$156	$9,375
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automatic · no start-stop	$1,935	$161	$9,677
1.6L turbo 4-cyl · AWD · 8-speed automatic	$2,069	$172	$10,345
2.5L turbo 4-cyl · FWD · 8-speed automated manual	$2,222	$185	$11,111

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 mpg

Show as a table

Kia K5 best combined mpg by model year
Model year	Best gas version
2021	32
2022	32
2023	31
2024	31
2025	30
2026	30

Every K5 year's ratings in one table

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
Toyota Camry Best: hybrid	52 mpg	32 mpg	$1,200
Hyundai Sonata Best: hybrid	52 mpg	32 mpg	$1,200
Honda Accord Best: hybrid	48 mpg	33 mpg	$1,300
Nissan Altima Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Kia K5 This page Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950
Chevrolet Malibu Best: gas	32 mpg	32 mpg	$1,950

2021 K5 recalls and complaints

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 171 owner complaints for the 2021 K5.

Owners most often describe the check engine light (26 complaints, 15%), then air conditioning or heater failures (23). NHTSA's overall crash rating: 5 stars.

See the 2021 K5 recalls and problems

Questions

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 Nov 4, 2026.
EPA fuel price assumptions: regular $4.00, midgrade $4.61, premium $5.01, diesel $6.13 a gallon; electricity $0.15 per kWh.
Recall and complaint counts: NHTSA recall file dated Nov 12, 2026 and complaint file dated Nov 11, 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.