How to Lease a Kia Optima EX

The average cost to lease a Kia Optima EX, now called the K5 EX, is $377 per month on a 36-month lease term.
Written by Andrea Barrett
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
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The Kia Optima EX—now called the Kia K5—leases for an average of about $377 per month. However, the exact payments will depend on add-on features, your down payment, credit score, and which trim level you choose. 
The Kia K5 is a classic mid-sized car that offers great style and comfort at an affordable price. Its snazzy interior and exterior boast several features that all commuters look for in a daily driver. With new upgrades to the 2022 line, the K5 is flashy, quick, and fun to drive.
While a car lease may come with more restrictions than financing, you’re signing up for lower monthly payments and better coverage, which can add up to big savings.
If you’re ready to get behind the wheel of a Kia K5 EX,
car insurance
super app
Jerry
is here to walk you through what you need to know about leasing. We’ll cover how to lease the K5 EX, what’s included in your lease, how to find affordable
Kia K5 EX car insurance costs
, and the available options when you come to the end of your lease. 

How to lease a Kia K5 EX

If the K5 has caught your eye and you’re keen to get behind the wheel of the EX model, leasing one is simple. Here’s what you’ll need to do before you head to the dealership and sign on the dotted line. 
  • Get a credit check—Having a good credit score shows lenders that you can pay back your car loan. In general, a score of 700 and over is considered a good credit score and will likely get you a good interest rate and favorable lease terms. 
  • Know your budget—Budget doesn’t just mean how much you want to spend on the purchase price of a car, but also things like insurance, fuel, maintenance, and other basic car expenses. Crunch some numbers before you head to the dealership so you know exactly what budget range you’re working with. 
  • Look at trim levels—The EX is just one trim level on the K5, and a high-end one at that. It comes standard with all the bells and whistles, but if you’re looking for something more basic, maybe you want to go with another trim level.  
  • Go for a test drive—Before you sign a multi-year lease, make sure you like the car! Take the EX model for a drive and ensure you like how it feels and handles. You don’t want to be stuck with a car you’re not happy with. 
  • Determine the upfront costs—Although a down payment isn’t required to lease a car, putting money down can help to reduce monthly payments and increase the likelihood of being approved for a lease.
  • Calculate your annual mileage—If you’re someone who drives long distances for leisure or work, the standard 10,000-15,000 miles per year probably won’t cut it. In that case, you may want to upgrade to a high-mileage lease. Or, if you’re not a big driver, consider going for the lowest yearly mileage and reducing your monthly payments further. 
There are many ways to save money on a car lease, but nothing beats Kia’s
special offers and incentives
. Lease offers rotate throughout the year, so keep an eye out for the best one and even compare between dealers. 
Kia also offers some great
promotional offers
. If you’re eligible, here’s what you could receive towards the purchase or lease of a new car:
  • Recent graduates (accredited post-secondary institution): $500
  • First-time vehicle buyer: $500
  • Military benefit: $500
  • Loyalty rate: 1% rate reduction

The final step: shop for insurance

Whether you want to lease or finance your Kia K5 EX, you still want to make sure you have the proper car insurance to keep it protected.
Jerry
finds you the best deals on car insurance from more than 50 of the top insurance companies. Once you choose the coverage and policy that work for you, Jerry’s team of experts will take care of getting you switched out before you even leave the dealership! 
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How much does a Kia K5 EX lease cost?

The average monthly payment to lease a Kia K5 EX is $377
That said, several factors will influence the cost of your monthly payments, such as: 
  • Trim level and options
  • Lease term
  • Down payment
  • Credit score 
Although trim level will have the biggest influence on the cost of your Kia lease, the EX model comes standard with the most essential features, meaning you likely won’t have many additional expenses for add-on features. If you want to add the EX Premium Package, for example, you’re looking at a $3,600 increase to the base price, which will surely hike up your monthly payments. 
In addition to trim level, your monthly payments will also be affected by your credit score. A credit rating of 700 or more qualifies you for good interest rates and lease terms, whereas anything below 649 is much less favorable. But if your credit maybe isn’t the best, you’re not disqualified from owning a K5. You will, however, be subject to higher interest rates and less favorable lease terms
Here’s an example of how your credit score can influence your monthly car payments. We’re going to assume no money down on a 36-month lease term and 12,000 yearly mileage.
Credit score
Monthly payments
520 to 579
Call your local dealer
580 to 609
Call your local dealer
610 to 629
Call your local dealer
630 to 649
$425
650 to 669
$411-525
670 to 689
$396-411
690 to 719
$377-396
720+
$377
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* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Check your rate
* checking your rate won’t affect your credit score
Kia also offers some great
discounts and offers
for people who are part of the military, recent graduates, and those who are part of the Kia family. 

Services included in a Kia K5 EX lease

One of the perks of leasing a new car is that it doesn’t require much maintenance, and when it does, it’s usually covered by a complimentary maintenance program. 
If you want more details about what services are included in your Kia K5 lease, speak to your local dealer or contact Kia.
MORE: How to do summer car maintenance

What to do when your Kia K5 EX lease is up

Driving the Kia K5 EX is a blast, so when it comes time for your lease to end, whether you’re ready to trade in your K5 for a newer model or have decided to part with your beloved Kia, there are options for you! Kia has three options to choose from when your lease term ends:
  • Purchase or lease a new Kia K5 EX (or other Kia vehicle)
  • Purchase the Kia K5 EX you’re currently driving
  • Return your leased K5 to the dealership

How to return a leased Kia K5 EX

If you’ve loved driving your K5 but want a newer model or another Kia vehicle, the process of returning your vehicle is simple:
  1. Visit your local dealership or kia.com and find your perfect vehicle.
  2. Contract your local Kia dealer to book a test drive.
  3. Return your current vehicle to the dealership.
Before returning your Kia to the dealership, there are a few things you’ll need to take care of:
  • Use the
    Self-Assessment
    tool to identify any excess wear and tear on the vehicle.
  • Complete the necessary repairs to avoid having extra charges for wear and use.
  • Speak with a Lease-End Advisor 1-855-537-8542, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Eastern for details on available options when your lease ends.
  • Visit the
    KMF Advantage
    web page to learn more about the benefits of leasing again or purchasing a Kia.
  • Call your local Kia dealership to set up a Turn-In Appointment.
Note that the self-assessment tool is only an estimate of charges you could incur. Final charges will be determined after a formal inspection conducted at Kia upon the return of the vehicle.
Before you take your vehicle back, make sure you:
  • Clean your vehicle and remove any personal belongings
  • Complete the
    Odometer Disclosure Statement
    and fax the completed form to 1-972-590-3968
  • Ensure all original equipment is inside the vehicle upon return: 
  • Keys and keyless remotes
  • Owner’s manual
  • Headrests
  • Cargo covers and nets (if applicable)
  • License plates (contact your local DMV to see if you need to return your plates)
Some of the additional charges you may be liable for include:
  1. Excess Mileage—Additional mileage over your allotted yearly amount will be charged at a rate of $.20 per mile
  2. Disposition Fee—Turn-in fee is specified in your lease agreement and must be paid if you’re not leasing another Kia vehicle
  3. Taxes—Required if your vehicle is registered in a state that has personal property tax (PPT)
A final payment receipt will be issued by Kia Finance upon the return of the vehicle. 

How to purchase a leased Kia K5 EX

If you’ve fallen for your K5 EX and want to keep it, Kia makes purchasing your current vehicle easy. Here’s what you need to do:
Contact your local Kia dealer and request a buyout quote. Alternatively, you can visit kmfusa.com/lease-end or speak with a Lease-End Advisor by calling 1-855-537-8542, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Eastern.

How to find the best car insurance for a Kia K5 EX lease

Getting behind the wheel of a Kia K5 EX is exciting, but before you hit the road, you’ll want to make sure your car is covered with the appropriate
car insurance.
But depending on the car you buy, finding cheap car insurance can be like finding a needle in a haystack. Lucky for you, car insurance super app and broker
Jerry
makes car insurance easy. 
All you have to do is download the Jerry app, enter your information, and Jerry searches through 50+ insurers to find you the coverage you need at the lowest rate. Once you pick the right policy, Jerry’s team of experts will take care of getting you switched over—before you even leave the dealership! 
Saving money on your car insurance was never this easy. That’s why the average Jerry user saves $887 a year on their car insurance!
“I had a great experience using
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for the first time. Once my boyfriend buys his new car, we’ll use Jerry together to make sure he doesn’t end up overpaying on new insurance!”  —Stephanie S.
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