2024 Kia K5

The Kia K5 is something a little different in midsize sedans, and among our highest-rated. It’s one of the liveliest entries in the segment, especially the fast, fun, 290-horsepower GT model. It’s also among a handful available with all-wheel drive, giving it extra appeal in snowy climates. And the interior is appealing for its class-above design and tech. The Kia K5 competes with midsize sedans like the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy.

The Kia K5 gets just one minor update for the 2024 model year. Heated front seats are now a standard feature in the GT-Line trim.

Before buying a K5, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia K5 resale value is about average for the segment.

The Kia K5 is powered by a 180-horsepower turbocharged 4-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front- or all-wheel drive. The GT model packs a bigger, 290-horsepower turbo engine with front-wheel drive.

We found the base engine to be adequate for daily driving duties. It’s a nice match to the K5, striking a good balance of performance and efficiency. However, we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord both have base engines that are slightly more powerful and efficient.

The enthusiast in us prefers the bigger turbo engine in the K5 GT. On top of the engine upgrade, it has improved brakes, suspension, and exhaust to make it a well-tuned sport sedan without sacrificing any of the practicality of the K5. There’s just one thing: We wish it were available with all-wheel drive (AWD).

The only trim of the K5 available with AWD is the GT-Line. You can only get it with the base engine, but AWD makes it more suitable for snowy climates and gives it better traction on dry pavement.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize sedans, including this Kia K5.

Fuel Economy

With the base engine, the Kia K5 gets a combined fuel economy rating of 31 mpg with front-wheel drive and 28 mpg with all-wheel drive. That’s about on par with the competition, but it’s worth noting that the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata all offer hybrid powertrains that are much more efficient than the K5.

More K5 fuel economy information is available on the EPA’s website.

We know we say this about every modern Kia, but the K5 feels like a more expensive car on the inside. The materials are nice, and we love the intuitive infotainment system, especially with the 10.25-inch screen that you get in all but the base trim. The seats are comfortable, but the driving position is a little awkward for some of us and took us some getting used to.

We found the rear seats roomy enough for adult comfort, but just barely. It has 35.2 inches of rear legroom. That’s the same as the Nissan Altima, and measurably less than the Honda Accord with 40.8 inches and the Toyota Camry’s 38.0 inches.

The 2024 Kia K5 is one of the sharpest-looking midsize sedans on the market, and the performance-oriented K5 GT takes it up another notch. The K5 GT-Line offers some of the same sporty design touches, but without having to step up to the GT’s 290-horsepower engine.

Available AWD
This optional system provides an extra layer of reassurance for drivers living in areas where the winter can be rough. And only a few midsize sedans offer it.

Kia Drive Wise
Standard Kia Drive Wise safety tech features in the K5 include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, driver attention warning, and more. This is part of what’s made the K5 an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

Available 10.25-inch touchscreen
The 10.25-inch touchscreen available in the K5 is user-friendly, feature-rich, and has lovely graphics. It comes with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM, and more.

K5 GT sport sedan
Although it’s at the top of the K5 midsize sedan range, the GT still has the moves and the looks to please drivers who want a sport sedan without having to spend the usual sport-sedan money.

Panoramic sunroof
The optional panoramic sunroof opens up the interior of the K5, giving it a more premium feel.

The Kia K5 is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine rated at 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. Output is sent to the front or all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.

The sportier K5 GT is powered by a 2.5-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine making 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. This engine also uses the 8-speed automatic transmission, but you can only get it with FWD.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Only the Hyundai Sonata can equal the Kia K5’s class-leading warranty coverage. It’s backed by a 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage.

Safety

The Kia K5 has earned the coveted IIHS Top Safety Pick+ because of its good crash-test ratings and generous standard safety features. Standard Kia Drive Wise safety features include automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and driver attention warning. Optional features include navigation-based adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, and a surround-view monitor.