The Car Connection Expert Review
Likes
- Striking light signature
- Historically good value
- Available AWD
- Peppy GT
- Fresh interior
Dislikes
- No hybrid choice
- Mild refresh
- Pales to other sedans
Buying tip
features & specs
Of the midsize sedans remaining, the refreshed 2025 K5 cuts a sharp figure and comes well equipped, but the lack of a hybrid powertrain limits its appeal.
What kind of vehicle is the 2025 Kia K5? What does it compare to?
Formerly called the Kia Optima, the refreshed 2025 K5 midsize sedan tries to keep pace with new iterations of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and the related Hyundai Sonata.
Is the 2025 Kia K5 a good car?
Historically, it’s a good value, and this year it comes with more standard safety and convenience features. Without pricing, it’s hard to tell if it will maintain the value that helped last year’s model earn a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10. (Read more about how we rate cars.)
What's new for the 2025 Kia K5?
The sedan receives some refreshed ends and the interior gets a spritz, but the most notable improvement for Kia fans is a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A new daytime running light signature zags between the hood and fenders like Harry Potter’s scar, then an alakazam of amber light shoots out over the LED headlights. Shark teeth bite into the honeycombed lower grille, which is bookended with larger cosmetic intakes. The wizardly light signature continues around back, dipping low into the fender curve before bridging across a light bar. The GT retains its quad exhaust tips.
As it should, considering the top GT carries over its 2.5-liter turbo-4 that makes 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It has an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sending power to the front wheels only.
The only K5 with available all-wheel drive is on the K5 GT-Line. But that model, as well as the LXS and EX have a new 2.5-liter inline-4 that replaces the old 1.6-liter turbo-4. Output increases 11 hp to 191 hp and 181 lb-ft. It has an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The interior sports the most significant changes with the new large touchscreen that sidewinds into an available 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster. A narrow climate control screen sits below the touchscreen and has two climate dials as well as haptic touch controls for other features. A mechanical gear shifter remains in the console, though Kia says it’s revised with larger cupholders and to fit a wireless smartphone charger as well as USB-C charge ports in front and back.
The K5’s relatively large footprint remains the same, so its spacious interior with comfy front seats carries over. The rear has three seatbelts, and could fit three people with 35.2 inches of legroom. A wide trunk opening makes it easy to fill the 16.0-cubic foot of space back there.
How much does the 2025 Kia K5 cost?
A price increase of $1,630 to a starting price of $28,145, including a $1,155 destination fee, for the 2025 Kia K5 diminishes its value in the midsize sedan segment. The Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima are cheaper, but the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata cost more.
The 2025 Kia K5 comes in LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT grades. Standard features include adaptive cruise control that can restart from a stop, automatic emergency braking with cyclist detection, blind-spot monitors, and LED headlights that should qualify it for an IIHS Top Safety Pick this year.
The base XLS rides on 16-inch wheels and has cloth upholstery. The $29,145 GT-Line rolls on 18-inch alloy wheels, gets the larger touchscreen, has heated front seats covered in synthetic leather upholstery, and promises to be a bit quieter with acoustic glass on the front windshield.
The EX leapfrogs the GT-Line in trim levels this year and gets a limited hands-free driving system, blind-spot cameras, rear emergency braking, parking monitors, and a surround-view camera system. At $35,645, it costs $5,230 more than the 2024 EX, and adds cooled front seats and a sunroof, a 10-way power driver seat, a heated steering wheel, power folding mirrors, and a Bose 12-speaker sound system that was optional last year.
The GT is the only model with the 290-hp turbo-4. It costs $34,245.
Where is the 2025 Kia K5 made?
Kia shifted production from West Point, Georgia, to South Korea this year.
