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. Safety has lagged, though. The 2025 K5 earns a TCC Rating of 6.3 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, figures that impress for the mid-size sedan segment. 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-for-the-K5 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 sidewides 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.
Recent crash-test scores reveal the fact that the updated K5 is a somewhat dated vehicle. While it scored a five-star rating from the NHTSA, the IIHS noted several discrepancies in its latest round of crash-testing. All models do have decent crash-avoidance and driver-assistance tech, however.
How much does the 2025 Kia K5 cost?
The K5 starts at $28,365, including a $1,175 destination charge, which places it smack in the middle of its competitive set. Kia packs a fair amount of stuff into the base K5 LXS, including 16-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and a full suite of crash-avoidance and driver-assistance tech including adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go.
Where is the 2025 Kia K5 made?
Kia shifted production from West Point, Georgia, to South Korea this year.