Overview

What's New for 2024

The Kia K5 sedan is available in four trim levels: LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. The GT-Line is the popular model, but the LXS is our pick for best value. We'll explain why.

LXS

Priced at $26,515 (including a $1,095 destination fee), the LXS offers upscale features. The list includes automatic LED headlights, heated power-adjustable side mirrors, daytime running lights, hands-free trunk opening, and 16-inch alloy wheels. The cabin provides cloth upholstery, six-way manually adjustable front seats, a 60/40-split folding second-row bench seat with trunk pass-through, keyless entry and ignition, and dual-zone automatic climate control. On the tech side, the LXS comes with an 8-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker audio system, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity. The list of standard safety features includes forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic alert. There's also safe exit assist, which warns if a vehicle is approaching from behind as passengers are exiting the car.

The LXS is the K5's most affordable trim and comes with appealing standard features such as blind-spot warning and hands-free trunk opening. It earns our recommendation for offering good value.

GT-Line

The GT-Line ($28,015) brings sporty looks without the expense of the higher-powered engine. It includes 18-inch alloy wheels, LED fog lights, a special grille, sport-type front and rear bumpers, and a rear spoiler. Cloth and imitation leather seat upholstery is embroidered with the GT-Line logo. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat includes lumbar support, while the passenger seat is manually adjustable. Both front seats are heated. A 10.25-inch display, navigation, satellite radio, and a wireless device charger are also standard. Note that this is the only trim offering optional all-wheel drive.

EX

Priced at $30,415, the EX model steps up the luxury with wood trim and imitation-leather seats. It also provides a panoramic sunroof, cooled front seats, LED interior lighting, and rear parking sensors.

GT

The GT starts at $32,915. Its 290-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine transforms the K5 into one of the top-performing midsize sedans on the road. It also comes with upgrades such as 19-inch alloy wheels and distinctive interior accents. The options list includes a heated steering wheel, a premium 12-speaker Bose stereo system, and a surround-view camera.

The 2024 Kia K5's two engine choices are tied directly to trim levels. The LXS, GT-Line, and EX get a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 180 horsepower. The Honda Accord and Toyota Camry have base engines with more horsepower. The K5's standard power plant is teamed with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available with the standard engine but only on the GT-Line trim.

The GT gets a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that delivers 290 hp. It is paired with a quick-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with shift-it-yourself capabilities.

In normal cruising, the K5's base engine is more than adequate, with good low-end torque for quick acceleration. The 290-hp 2.5-liter turbo provides greater straight-line acceleration and more power when exiting turns. Routing all that horsepower through the front wheels can make the K5 GT feel skittish if the driver is too eager with the accelerator. The K5 GT sprints from zero to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, according to independent tests. That's similar to the Hyundai Sonata N-Line's run, one of the K5 GT's few direct competitors.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, a 2024 Kia K5 equipped with the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder returns 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive; all-wheel-drive models earn 25/33 mpg city/highway. The 290-hp K5 GT delivers 24/32 mpg.

Those figures are competitive with gas-only rivals, but cars with hybrid variants are much more fuel-efficient. For example, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid returns up to 50/54 mpg city/highway. A hybrid version of the K5 isn't offered.

There is plenty of room for five adults in the Kia K5's cabin. The rear seat is comfortable, although the Honda Accord provides more rear legroom. The K5's cushy ride, quiet cabin, and dual-zone climate control will keep a family of five quite comfortable on long-distance trips.

The K5's trunk has 16 cubic feet of cargo space, one of the largest in its class. The Hyundai Elantra has just 14.2 cubic feet of cargo room, and the Toyota Camry has 15.1. The Accord, which has a 16.7 cubic-foot trunk, is the class leader.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA has not yet rated the 2024 Kia K5, but the nearly identical 2023 K5 earned a five-star overall safety rating, the organization's highest ranking. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS issued top Good ratings to the 2023 K5 in all categories except the updated side crash test where it earned a Marginal rating.

Kia offers an impressive array of safety and driver-assist technologies called Drive Wise. It includes forward-collision avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, and driver attention warning. Also standard are automatic high-beam headlight control, rear-occupant alert, blind-spot warning with automatic emergency steering, rear cross-traffic assist, and safe exit warning.

With sporty sheet metal and a potent optional 290-horsepower engine, the 2024 Kia K5 is a well-equipped midsize sedan. It has a bigger trunk than the Toyota Camry or Hyundai Sonata, so it's a good choice if you value utility. And its attractive cabin is roomy enough to seat five in comfort. However, the K5 only offers standard gas powertrains. If fuel economy is paramount, look to hybrid variants of the Camry, Sonata, and Honda Accord.

Kia K5 vs. Honda Accord

Kia K5 vs. Hyundai Sonata

Kia K5 vs. Toyota Camry