The Kia K5 has the style and substance to set it apart from other midsize family sedans. It's incredibly easy to drive and comfortable on longer trips thanks to a great suspension and an exceptionally quiet cabin. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard, and that's just the beginning of a rich feature list that somehow manages to undercut the competition at every level.
Michael Cantu has worked in the automotive industry since 2014. He has written over 800 car-related articles and tested and reviewed over 100 vehicles over the course of his career. Michael is a contributor at Edmunds and has also contributed to MotorTrend, Digital Trends and InsideEVs. Michael was featured on a few InsideEVs YouTube channel videos on the topic of electric vehicles. Michael was a MotorTrend Car of the Year judge for 2019 and was a driver in MotorTrend's World's Greatest Drag Races 7 & 8.
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
Pros
Comfortable and quiet on the highway
Strong turbocharged engine in the GT trim level
Plenty of available technology features
Impressive value
Cons
Sloping roofline can make it a little tricky to get in and out of the back
Powerful GT trim doesn't live up to its performance potential
What's new
LX trim discontinued
Sound-reducing front windows on EX, GT-Line and GT trims
Part of the first K5 generation introduced for 2021
Overview
The K5 is Kia's midsize sedan that replaced the Optima in 2021 after it received a redesign. As of this writing, it tops our midsize sedan rankings. The Honda Accord, another of our favorite sedans, is ranked just below the K5 but costs more. The K5's sleek and stylish exterior is a breath of fresh air in a segment that tends to play it safe when it comes to looks. Its interior sports a modern design that borders on luxury-brand levels of refinement in the higher trims. Changes for the 2023 model year will likely be minimal and consist mostly of updates to feature availability.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2023 Kia K5 LXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Besides its standout styling, the K5 is supremely comfortable, boasts loads of value, packs impressive tech and offers a powerful GT model. All-wheel drive is available on certain trims, but not the high-end GT version, meaning you'll have to make do with front-wheel drive on the most powerful version. Fuel economy is on par with segment leaders, and its trunk is bigger than the Toyota Camry's.
The K5 is one of the sportiest-looking sedans on the road, but it doesn't drive the way it looks. Power is sufficient, the transmission is smooth and handling is competent, but the K5 won't get your heart racing. The top GT trim (not to be confused with the midlevel GT-Line trim) has potential, yet its front-wheel-drive-only configuration holds it back.
Another impressive midsize sedan to consider is the Hyundai Sonata. It's the K5's mechanical twin and offers similar features and powertrains, plus a hybrid model. If you want to know what our test team thinks about the Kia K5, check out our in-depth review in the Edmunds' Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.3
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Kia K5 has the style and substance to set it apart from other midsize family sedans. It's incredibly easy to drive and comfortable on longer trips thanks to a great suspension and an exceptionally quiet cabin. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard, and that's just the beginning of a rich feature list that somehow manages to undercut the competition at every level.
How does the K5 drive? The Kia K5 with its standard 180-horsepower engine won't impress you, but power is more than sufficient for daily use. It matches the Honda Accord in a straight line, taking 8 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph from a stop. Stopping from 60 mph requires a few more feet than average, but otherwise braking is easy and smooth.
The K5's aggressive styling might suggest it's sportier than usual, but that's simply not the case. We'd call the steering and handling par for the course. But perhaps what's more important is the K5 is easy to drive. The transmission shifts pretty seamlessly and is responsive to downshifts when you need to pass.
Comfort
8.5/10
How comfortable is the K5? This is a big step forward from the Optima. The only minor annoyance was a slight rattle coming from the panoramic sunroof blind. Otherwise, the K5 is as silent on the highway as some luxury sedans. Seriously. The front seats provide decent comfort over several hours, with a good amount of cushioning and moderate support from the side bolsters. The suspension ably soaks up road imperfections and avoids feeling overly soft.
We're also impressed with the climate control system that features a unique three-mode auto setting that can limit fan speed. Seat ventilation is available on higher trims.
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How’s the interior? The K5's interior is thoughtfully designed to be user-friendly. Despite the many electronic features, all the controls are well labeled and logically placed and there was no need to consult the owner's manual.
The cabin is relatively spacious too, with a modest amount of headroom but an abundance of legroom. Tall adults should have no problem fitting up front, though. Forward visibility is great thanks to unusually narrow front roof pillars. Rear visibility is squeezed a bit by a tall rear decklid, but it doesn't create any notable obstructions.
Technology
8.5/10
How’s the tech? The K5 may not look like a tech powerhouse, but it is. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity is standard, which is a rarity in any class at the moment. There's also an available wireless charging pad that features a cooling fan and a smart spring-loaded section that keeps your phone in place. The standard system has an 8-inch touchscreen that's easy to use, though it does have a slight delay in responses. This system's physical shortcut buttons are preferred to the upgraded 10.25-inch screen that has capacitive touch buttons that are difficult to locate without looking. Our tester also had a total of four USB charge ports.
The excellent advanced driver aids returned no false alarms. The optional Smart Cruise Control enhances the existing adaptive cruise control by slowing down the K5 when approaching a curve in the road. Collectively, it's one of the best systems in the segment.
Storage
8.5/10
How’s the storage? Despite the K5's fastback roofline, it's not a hatchback. The traditional trunk has a capacity of 16 cubic feet, which is slightly better than average, and the wide and low opening makes for easy loading of bulky objects. The seatback releases are located in the trunk, making it convenient to load longer items.
The cabin offers plenty of places to store your personal items, including a charging pad, another rubberized phone tray and a big center armrest bin. Fitting a large infant seat should pose no problems, and the anchors are easy to access.
Fuel Economy
8.0/10
How’s the fuel economy? Fuel economy estimates are 31 mpg combined (27 city/37 highway), matching the efficiency of most other base-engine sedans in this class. These estimates should be accurate after what we saw on our standard 115-mile evaluation loop. Our route is highway-biased but includes a mix of city and mountain roads as well, and we observed an encouraging 33 mpg.
Value
8.5/10
Is the K5 a good value? The Kia K5 starts under $25K and holds a slight advantage over most sedans when it comes to dollar-per-feature. The price and feature ratio improves with each successive trim level. There are some things missing from the options list such as genuine leather upholstery (the K5 has simulated leather), an auto-dimming mirror and a head-up display, but we're convinced most will look beyond that. A fully loaded K5 will save a few thousand dollars over a comparable Honda Accord.
The K5 is solidly built to boot, using a good amount of quality interior materials that outshine what's in other sedans in the class. Hard plastics are still present, but they're strategically placed away from high-touch areas to keep up appearances. Kia's warranty coverage is top-notch with 10 years/100,000 miles for the powertrain and five years/60,000 miles of basic coverage. Only Hyundai offers more.
Wildcard
8.5/10
The exterior styling is a standout in a traditionally dull sedan class. It rivals the Mazda 6 for presence, though it dials up the sporty aggression factor noticeably. It's one of those cars that you could admire for a few seconds before getting in.
We have fairly low expectations for performance and entertainment in the family sedan class, but the K5 represents itself well enough. Is it fun? Not in this trim, but the K5 GT certainly has potential.
Which K5 does Edmunds recommend?
We suggest going with the GT-Line trim level. Without getting too expensive, the midlevel GT-Line enhances the sportiness of this already sporty-looking sedan and includes some appealing features like a power-adjustable driver's seat, wireless smartphone charging pad, cloth and simulated leather upholstery, and the larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display.
Kia K5 models
The 2023 Kia K5 is available in four trim levels: LXS, GT-Line, EX and GT. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is optional for the LXS and GT-Line. Standard and optional feature highlights include:
LXS
The base LXS trim comes with an appealing mix of features, including:
2022 Kia K5 GT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I purchased the K5 GT-line in December. My wife and I were initially going to purchase a 2022 Camry, but after stumbling across the K5 on google. The aesthetics of the car peaked my interest, although I was worried that such a good looking car was still a Kia at the end of the day. After a bit a research I was sold, and to be honest the change in the Kia logo was a major determining … factor for me. I've put about almost 2000 miles on it, and so far it has been a real joy to drive. It's roomy interior was surprisingly quiet, and it reminded me of the CLA Mercedes quiet ride. I ready many reviews that unanimously pointed to a lack of power from the 180hp engine, but I'm hard pressed to find any issues in the power department. It doesn't hop off the line, but once the turbo spools up it wastes no time getting up to and passed 80mph. It's not a surge or power as in most turbo engines, but rather a very linear feeling increase in power, and the 190 foot pounds of torque keep it moving at a pretty good clip going up hill. As for the interior, the tech is amazing and more advanced than I expected. The giant touch screen is amazing and in upstate NY, the auto start feature is a God send. The exterior styling far exceeds any of its competitors, and frankly unless your buying a luxury sedan, you will not find a better looking mid sized sedan on the road. My only complaint, which isn't really a complaint, but I find the safety features have made me a less attentive driver than a I should be at times. It is very easy to trust the safety features, and rightfully so, but I would caution potential that the car can feel like it's driving itself at times. Overall, I would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a mid sized sedan.
Two steps forward, two steps backward
4 out of 5 stars
PF, 08/24/2022
2023 Kia K5 EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I had a 2019 Kia Optima EX. I traded it in for a 2023 Kia K5 EX with the Premium package, home link mirror, puddle lights and mud flaps. The good; I think the car looks great! sporty exterior and the interior is well thought out. The lane keeping assist is fantastic and improved over the 2019 version I had in the Optima. The 360 camera is really useful. I like the radio, … intuitive... The split screen large display is very nice. Ventilated seats work great, lots of space in the cabin and trunk. The gas mileage is also excellent, up to 41 mpg in a tank so far!
The Bad; Items missing... Smart Cruise control sensitivity adjustment is not included, my car will jump up to 6,000 rpm when making speed adjustments. It red lines at 6500. A jarring experience which is hurting my insurance score for aggressive acceleration violations as a result. The 2019 Optima SCC was adjustable. The K5 brouchure lists this adjustment as standard, it is not. No interior LED accent lighting (the 2019 Optima had this). The mirrors fold when the car is locked, however you cannot disable the feature. Not looking forward to ice storms this winter with my mirror locked in the folded position due to icing. The K5 brochure lists the disable function as a feature with instructions on how to use it, but it is not included. No rain sensing wipers for 2023, they had them in 2022. Finally, the seats are NOT leather. The material feels like a rubber wet suit, it is not smooth or easy to move around on and the material gets much hotter than leather.
I bought the top trim level based on the features listed in the brochure, some of which I had also enjoyed in the K5 EX's 2019 counterpart. Other features advertised would constitute an improvement over the 2019 version, but they don't exist as advertised. The K5 EX cost $11,000 more than the top of the line Optima did 3 years ago. I wouldn't mind IF the some of the quality and convenience features were not missing or been downgraded.
If I would have known of the downgraded features and had sat in the seats for a while before purchasing, I probably would have gotten an accord. It has leather seats and all the convenience features that were dropped for the 2023 K5.
With the supply chain issues there were no cars available to test drive over a 3 month period. Normally one could take a close look at a vehicle before deciding. Not the case currently. I hope this information is helpful to you in making a purchasing decision.
This Car Keeps Surprising Me!
5 out of 5 stars
KiaLover76011, 09/01/2021
2022 Kia K5 EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
I've had this car a little over a month now and I keep finding features that make me fall in love with it all over again! The UVO and remote start are great features to help cool the car before getting in on hot summer days. It's quiet, rides better than my Sportage did and feels upscale. I was leaning more towards the Sonata N-Line, but so glad I decided to check out the K5. Even though … I only got the 1.6T, it has plenty of power. Best sedan on the road!
K5: Easy on the eyes, and a nice place to be.
5 out of 5 stars
Ryan S, 02/12/2022
2022 Kia K5 EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A)
Got the EX variant with all the fancy options on board. Exterior looks quite sharp; sporty vibe to it but also mature. Arguably the best looking sedan on the market (for us plebes anyway). The chrome strip that goes along the roofline over the doors and C-pillar is a head-scratching decision but that's the only demerit about it's styling that comes to mind. Aside from that Kia nailed it. …
Once inside, the interior's looks keep up. The "aluminum" and dark "wood" trim along the dash and doors give an upscale vibe, and the way the big screen molds to the instrument cluster give you the impression of being in a pricier, well thought out and appointed cabin. The screen is fast, responsive, and user-friendly. The Bose stereo has speakers everywhere and has great clarity and nice depth and range but you're not gonna think you have 12" subs in the back or anything. Adaptive cruise control works well. Lane-keep assist is good, will even handle mild/moderate curves with a little faith and some caution, but even on straight lanes can tend to get a little pinball-y on occasion; weaving left and right (but still inside) in the lane like it had a couple drinks. All the various warnings and cautions rarely ever give false positives so no worry of annoyances there. Plenty of spots to charge electronics, and it's nice the car reminds you your phone's still in the wireless charge slot when you open the door to get out. The fact you have to physically plug your phone in to a specific USB port under the center stack for Android auto or Apple carplay to work is kinda lame though.
On the comfort side of things the K5 is pretty good. The driver's seat and surroundings is roomy, and all the buttons and screens are still easily reachable. The seat itself is nice and supportive; comfortable enough to not give you many complaints even on a longer road trip, but it's hard not to shake the feeling that the leatherette material isn't exactly premium, and the center arm rest is too firm for boney elbows. Upon close inspection you will find some cheaper plastics about, but Kia has mostly placed these below your typical line of sight and considering the MSRP, you can expect some cost cutting somewhere. The seating position feels high for a car but I guess that means SUV people won't feel as out of place. For the passengers, they'll be in good company. The back seats have a surprising amount of legroom and are raked back far enough to get your slouch on and chill.
When it comes to driving dynamics it's above average but not mind-blowing. The cabin is well insulated from both wind and road noise and the engine sounds and vibration are dampened good too. The standard engine has enough power for your everyday needs and can handle both city and highway acceleration good enough to get you out of trouble or into position, but it ain't gonna throw you back in the seat or impress you. If you have cruise control on and go up a moderate grade, you'll drop a few mph initially until the power catches up. The automatic transmission does a pretty good job; shifts quick and doesn't have to hunt for the right gear, although if you suddenly decide to step on it you'll be waiting a bit for the power to show up, but once it gets the idea it keeps up with your inputs. The steering is light and responsive albeit a little numb in terms of giving feedback of what's going on under the wheels. Body roll is well controlled and the suspension handles bumps and dips decently to give a ride compliant enough to not notice too much and have little complaint from the driver most of the time, but sudden sharp and small bumps will come through just often and mildly enough to remind you this isn't exactly a luxury sedan. The suspension seems like Kia was attempting to set it up as sporty and plush at the same time while falling just short of both; jack-of-all-trades kinda scenario. But 99% of the time for 99% of use cases for 99% of people looking into buying a car like this these complaints aren't of much concern. The suspension and drivetrain as a whole is good, not great but pretty good. Avoid the autocross circuit and fire roads and just let the car do what it does best; take you to work, grab groceries, go on the occasional road trip and you'll be more than happy with the arrangement.
All things considered this is a pretty sweet ride. Looks great, drives good, feels nice, and a fair price. Gotta say I am very happy with my purchase and look forward to putting on many miles and memories with it.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2023 Kia K5, so we've included reviews for other years of the K5 since its last redesign.
The Accord is the K5's strongest rival. Both well-rounded sedans are comfortable, roomy, efficient and offer lots of tech. However, the Accord is more engaging to drive, and adaptive cruise control is standard, making highway driving easier and safer. But the Accord's pricing might turn you away. The starting price of the Accord is higher, and the price gap significantly increases in the higher trims even though both sedans offer similar features and powertrains. And all-wheel drive isn't available on the Accord.
If you like sporty-looking sedans, one of the Camry's several available sport trims might grab your attention. The Camry comes standard with an impressive suite of advanced driver aids and a more powerful base engine that's just as fuel-efficient as the K5's. Both sedans have a comfortable ride, but the Camry's interior doesn't quell road noise as well. The K5's interior is also more modern-looking and sports larger touchscreen displays. All-wheel drive is available on both sedans with their base engines.
Both sedans come from the same South Korean conglomerate. Features, engines and overall performance are quite similar, though the Sonata's base engine is a non-turbo four-cylinder and all-wheel drive isn't offered. While the K5 has a sporty appearance, the Sonata boasts a premium look, and its higher trim models almost evoke a luxury brand. The Sonata also has a few features the K5 lacks, such as a digital key, a head-up display, real leather upholstery and a digital instrument panel.
The Kia K5 is a midsize family sedan that replaced the Kia Optima in 2021. It instantly became our favorite in the class as it drives a lot like the Honda Accord but costs less and gives you a few more features, too. Most K5 models come with a 180-horsepower engine, while the top-of-the-line GT trim gets a 290-horsepower engine. We typically like the more powerful engine choices, but not in this case.
The GT is only available with front-wheel drive and that's simply too much power for those tires. All-wheel drive is offered as an option on other trims with the less powerful engine, though, and that's our preference. If we had one wish for the 2023 K5, it would be to add all-wheel drive to the GT since it would likely make it one of the sportiest sedans in the class.
Even if that dream goes unfulfilled, we're confident the 2023 Kia K5 will remain the best midsize sedan in its class. Keep checking back here for more information as it comes in.
Edmunds says
The 2023 Kia K5 should have everything it needs to maintain its top spot in the class: comfort, plenty of technology, style and value. If you're in the market for a sedan, check it out first.
FAQ
Is the Kia K5 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 K5 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.3 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 K5 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 48 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the K5 has 16.0 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia K5. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Kia K5?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Kia K5:
LX trim discontinued
Sound-reducing front windows on EX, GT-Line and GT trims
Part of the first K5 generation introduced for 2021
To determine whether the Kia K5 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the K5. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the K5's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Kia K5 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Kia K5 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 K5 and gave it a 8.3 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 K5 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 48 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 K5 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Kia K5?
The least-expensive 2023 Kia K5 is the 2023 Kia K5 LXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $25,290.
Other versions include:
LXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $25,290
GT-Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $26,690
GT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,390
EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $29,190
GT 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) which starts at $31,690
If you're interested in the Kia K5, the next question is, which K5 model is right for you? K5 variants include LXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A), GT-Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A), GT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A), and EX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A). For a full list of K5 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more