The more powerful engine makes the Kia family car startlingly speedy (60 mph is reached in just 5.2 seconds), but since it only has front-wheel drive, it may easily overwhelm the tires, causing wheelspin squeals.
| Brands: | Kia. |
| Model: | Kia K5 |
| Price In USA: | $26,415 |
| Release Date: | In 2025 |
| Engine: | A Turbocharged 1.6 Liter Four Cylinder Engine |
| Interior: | Spacious, Luxurious, And Comfortable |
| Features: | 180 Horsepower and 195 Pounds-Feet of Torque |
| Transmission: | Eight-Speed Automatic |
The GT is the only vehicle with a quick-shifting dual-clutch gearbox, while both engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is not an option, so those who like it must settle with the reliable conventional powertrain. The 2025 K5 is a lot of car for the money, with a stylish interior and appealing amenities. The Kia is far more enjoyable to drive than the Toyota Camry or Nissan Altima, even though it isn’t quite as pleasurable as the Honda Accord.
What Will Change in 2025?
Except for a few trim levels and equipment changes, the 2025 Kia K5 doesn’t differ significantly from the previous model year. The LXS now serves as the entry-level vehicle in place of the original LX model. However, all-wheel drive is no longer an option. Acoustic front door glass that reduces noise from the road is now standard on the pricier EX trim.
The GT-Line now has acoustic glass, and a new optional package with a panoramic roof, LED interior lighting, and gloss-black body molding is available. The top-of-the-line GT obtains the acoustic glass treatment and a standard heated steering wheel in all-wheel-drive GT-Line variants but otherwise is unaltered.
For those who don’t need the extra firepower provided by the 180-hp engine in the GT, the GT-Line offers a pleasant combination of sporty aesthetic characteristics at a highly alluring price. That is the one we would advise, and all-wheel drive is an additional $1600 option for individuals who desire all-weather traction.
A sharper body makeover, 18-inch wheels, a 10-way powered driver’s seat, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with wireless smartphone charging are all included in every GT-Line model. Additionally, we would invest in the Premium option, which includes full LED headlights, adaptive cruise control, and enhanced forward-collision warning.
Performance – Engine, Transmission, and Other
A 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine paired with eight-speed automated transmission power most K5 variants. Front-wheel drive is the engine’s default setting; an all-wheel drive is an option, but only on the GT-Line. The 180-hp, front-drive K5 we were driving had good acceleration in town, and our testing showed a 7.0-second sprint to 60 mph. At highway speeds, though, it was less spectacular because passing took more time.
Nevertheless, the engine noise was usually kept to a low range thanks to a reliable transmission and a well-insulated cabin. The 2.5-litre turbo four in the full-Monty GT model is more potent and produces 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The sportiest K5 has bigger brakes, a unique suspension tuning, wider tires on a giant 19-inch wheel, and its specialized eight-speed automatic (with the same wet dual-clutch as the Hyundai Sonata N Line).
The GT we were driving reached 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and stopped from 70 mph in 163 feet. The Sonata N Line, which has an identical engine and transmission, reached 60 mph faster (5.0 seconds) and stopped even quicker (152 feet). Although the Kia only comes with all-season tires, the high-performance Hyundai we tested also had optional summer tires, which added to its performance edge.
Fuel efficiency and actual MPG
According to the EPA, the K5 will achieve up to 27 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway when equipped with the base four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. When all-wheel drive is added, ratings significantly decline, falling to 25 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the interstate. However, both numbers are comparable to the Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima with all-wheel drive.
The least economical of the group, at 24 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway, is the front-drive-only, 290-hp K5 GT. On our 75 mph highway fuel-economy test, we assessed a front-drive K5 with the base powertrain, and it achieved an excellent 43 mpg, surpassing the government rating by five mpg.
