Since the Kia K5’s debut in 2020 as a successor to the wildly popular Kia Optima, the K5 has proven to be an immediate hit, turning up the volume on its predecessor’s winning formula. But more importantly, the K5 offered something that many of its competitors lacked: a vehicle that excels in all areas constituting a muscular mainstream midsize sedan and then some, without sacrificing any of its beautiful looks. The winning package is maintained through 2023.
Crossover SUVs, which are more roomy, high-riding, and valuable, are gaining ground on sedans. However, the K5 keeps arguing vehemently in favor of the conventional mainstream midsize four-door. Except for a $500 overall price rise and minor changes, the K5 is still as impressive in 2023 as it was when it first came out. Additionally, it keeps its original, superb turbocharged powertrains; the sole distinction is the inclusion of all-wheel drive. All-paw traction was formerly an option on the LXS, but owing to poor demand and manufacturing efficiency, Kia just left it for the GT-Line, which had the highest sales in 2023.
The K5 competes (and wins) against the $27,315 entry cost of the Toyota Camry and the $28,390 (with its $1,095 destination) of the Honda Accord. Only the Subaru Legacy and Nissan Altima are a few hundred dollars less expensive but at a significant loss of the K5’s style, upscale atmosphere, and sports sedan performance. At some levels, numerous amenities and powertrains are shared with its Hyundai corporate cousin, the Sonata.
The entry-level LXS, which costs $26,415 (with a $1,125 delivery fee, up from $1,095), has replaced the ultra-basic LX as the range’s starting point. The price rises to $27,815 if the popular GT-Line with front-wheel drive and climb is chosen. ON THE OTHER HAND, the EX and the GT provide exceptional value for around $40,000 and straddle the line between near-luxury and even luxury thanks to their great feature sets, superb handling, and even strong sports sedan performance (for the GT). While the GT’s 2.5-liter engine produces 290 horsepower, the LXS, GT-Line, and EX all have the same 1.6-liter engine.
The spacious front and rear seats, large trunk, and economical fuel efficiency could be attractive features. Despite having a more straightforward design, the infotainment system is simple and has many standard functions. The K5 excels in almost every area and scores well for safety.
Most importantly, however, is that unlike any of its competitors (we’re looking at you, Camry and Accord), thanks to its Stinger-inspired appearance, it demands exclusivity, sparing any of its drivers the embarrassment of being mistaken for an Uber or Lyft. Overall, it’s a plan we can wholeheartedly support.
Performance: Kia K5
The LXS, GT-Line, and EX all have the same eight-speed manual transmission and 180 horsepower, rev-happy 1.6-liter engine. A rapid achievement by any definition, this powertrain is nimble and agile and can accelerate to 60 mph in only 7 seconds. However, passing by quickly might seem a bit careless. The GT’s eager 2.5-liter engine, which produces 290 horsepower, 311 pound-feet of torque, and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 5 seconds flat, is a major attraction. If you step on the gas when the K5 moves, its blazing-fast dual-clutch eight-speed, and enough power reserves will launch it into the horizon like a bat out of hell.
The midsize family car market isn’t precisely recognized for its thrilling or powerful driving experiences. Contrary to this, competitors like the late Mazda6 and the Honda Accord made for some excellent sleepers. The K5 essentially continues where the Accord and Mazda6 left off, with the GT being the quickest and one of the most enjoyable to drive of the bunch.
The Hyundai Sonata N-Line and the K5 both have the same engine. However, the K5 handles the additional power better while providing a more practical ride and handling balance for regular driving. The K5 is a compelling sports sedan, even in cheaper grades, thanks to well-tuned steering and suspension.
On paper, the only competitor is the Toyota Camry TRD with 301 horsepower from a V6 engine, but it’s a tight race. IN OUR OPINION, the GT’s inclination to overpower the front tires with all that torque was its central flaw. But this is readily fixed with high-quality performance tires and some good foot dexterity.
Fuel efficiency: Kia K5
Despite its high performance and fun-to-drive rating, the K5 in all trims is fuel-efficient, while the GT likes premium. The 27 city, 38 highway, and 31 combination mpg ratings for the front-wheel drive LXS, GT-Line, and EX remain unchanged. The all-wheel GT-Line loses three mpg in the combined test and two mpg in the city and highway cycles.
We failed to get the EPA-rated 24 city, 32 highway, or 27 combined miles per gallon during our testing of the GT because we were having too much fun overtaking other drivers. Instead, we found that combined city and enthusiastic driving produced an average of around 18 to 20 mpg.
The K5 is comparable to the Subaru Legacy (30 mpg combined for the 2.5L, 27 for the 2.4L turbo), Nissan Altima (up to 26 cities, 36 highway, and 39 combined, depending on powertrain), gas-powered four-cylinder Camry (32 combined for FWD, 29 for AWD), and even the new Honda Accord (32 combined), among the competition, giving or taking a couple of mpg. Of course, the K5 is on par with its Hyundai Sonata relative. The six-cylinder Camry uses the most gas—26 combined.
However, depending on trim, the 2017 Accord Hybrid may get up to 48 mpg, while the Camry Hybrid and Sonata Hybrid achieve comparable numbers but lack all-wheel drive.
Safety and driver support technology:
In 2022, the IIHS (Insurance Institute of Highway Safety) awarded the K5 its Top Safety Pick+ designation, and the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) gave it an overall five-star rating. It lost its top ratings for 2023 because of a stricter IIHS testing process. Instead, it received a “Good” rating across the board, which reduced its rating in our study.
The K5 is a high-value sedan thanks to its extensive list of standard active safety features, which includes land following assistance, lane keeping aid, forward collision avoidance assist, blind-spot and rear cross-traffic collision mitigation with automatic braking, and driver attention warning.
Radar-guided cruise control and partially autonomous highway driving assistance are added by upgrading to the GT-Line Premium option, which costs $800 instead of $1,600 as it did last year. The Subaru Legacy still provides more robust safety technology with its EyeSight dual-camera system with distracted-driver mitigation; in contrast, the former and latter are standard on the Honda Accord and Subaru.
All the technologies worked as they should during a weeklong study of the K5 GT, which includes parking sensors and a 360-degree camera, and provided the level of complexity you’d expect from a much more costly vehicle.
Comfort and Space
The K5 may not seem like an exceptionally roomy car from the outside. However, Korean manufacturers have consistently shown that they do not squander even a single inch of space. The K5 has the most significant front headroom in the class (40.2 inches) and the most front legroom (46.1 inches), which is naturally shared with the Sonata.
Only the Altima, with 43.8 inches of front legroom, comes close; the rest of the rivals can’t get over 43. Even with its slanted fastback roofline, there is up to 35.2 inches of legroom and 37.8 inches of rear headroom (which decreases by roughly half an inch with the panoramic roof). Even so, Honda wins for having the most outstanding back legroom, with 40.8 inches, beating the 2017 Accord’s 37.3 inches. With both measuring 38 inches, the Camry has the highest rear headroom but the least back legroom.
Since most midsize sedans don’t stand out for their back room (which is what their crossover SUV brothers do), these distinctions will likely go unnoticed. Still, the K5 will be suitable for most folks. He didn’t need to ask the driver to move the seat too forward, even with a buddy over 6 feet tall in the back of the K5 GT.
The K5 is a comfy cruiser that chews up interstate miles thanks to a remarkably supple suspension—even with the GT’s harsher configuration.
Infotainment: Kia K5
Interior activities are controlled by Kia’s ubiquitous 8.0-inch and improved 10.25-inch infotainment systems. The LXS maintains a smaller screen built on the firm’s superb previous-generation device. The more extensive, feature-rich system becomes standard when you go up to the GT-Line and upwards.
The whole system has been tried, tested, and is reliable; however, due to its little plebeian response and loading times. Even while it’s not a deal-breaker, the pricier 10.25-inch system is the one that provides a contemporary experience, particularly with the 12-speaker Bose audio upgrade available exclusively with the $4,200 GT1 package and the $3,600 Premium package for the EX.
Both screens are straightforward, with clear visuals and various connection choices, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The speaker systems in the LXS and GT-Line also offer a more than acceptable sound, so audiophiles need not worry either.
Storage & Cargo Space:
The new Accord has 16.7 cubic feet more trunk capacity than the K5, which is still respectable at 16.7 cubic feet. The Camry has the smallest trunk among its rivals, with 15.1 cubic feet. The K5 provides a 60/40 split rear seat configuration that can be folded down for extra-long goods, much like all its competitors.
There is no lack of storage, with plenty of room in the door panels and the center console for smaller items. However, if towing and storage are more critical, Kia’s similarly alluring 2017 Sportage is worth examining closely.
Design: Kia K5
Manufacturers of midsize sedans have only recognized that being trendy doesn’t have to be limited to the luxury market, and the K5 embraces this insight. The Korean carmaker has consistently dominated the sector with an edgy and European-focused style since employing famous automotive designer Peter Schreyer in 2006, especially with the release of the third-generation Optima, regarded as the great-grandfather of the K5. The K5 borrows its fastback roofline and tall hood, both of which give the impression of a luxury rear-wheel drive sedan, from the soon-to-be-discontinued Stinger sports sedan. It provides the segment’s highest level of curb appeal without being overly boisterous.
Is the 2023 Kia K5 Worth it?
The K5 provides the finest overall experience with unmatched value and plenty of thrills. Historically, this section has been noted for being mainly devoid of “oohs and aahs,” but the K5 alters that. With the ideal balance of everything necessary in a four-door, it punches much above its weight and even blurs the line between near-luxury in the GT-Line and luxury in the GT. Any trim provides a lot of vehicles for the money, and it only gets better when you choose higher trims.
Even when you add the $800 GT-Line Premium option and the $1,000 Panoramic Sunroof package, the $27,815 (destination included) GT-Line remains the best deal in the lineup. For less than $30,000, it’s a lot of automobiles. The $32,815 GT, however, offers excellent performance, standard equipment, styling, and execution that are compelling enough to even compete with certain luxury vehicles for less than $40,000 when fully loaded with the $4,000 GT1 option.
With the possible exception of the Camry V6 XSE or the Sonata N-Line, no other car in its class provides as much car for the money. Even then, after taxes and fees, the Camry would cost you over $40,000, while the Sonata has divisive styling. In our inflation-ridden economy, the K5 is not only an excellent deal that’s almost difficult to match in all ways, but it also avoids the embarrassment of being mistaken for an Uber or Lyft, which is worth the exclusivity in and of itself.
How Much Will Insurance for a 2023 Kia K5 Cost?
Insuring a 2023 Kia K5 is comparable to most of its competitors. The average yearly premium for the top trim for a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record is $2,400, albeit this figure covers all 50 states. A Toyota Camry owner may spend $2,200 a year for a better model, while the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata max out at $2,270 and $2,405, respectively.
Verdict
The Kia K5, which is just three years old, is still as captivating as the day it debuted in 2019. We believe the K5 is the most excellent non-hybrid midsize sedan money can buy because it offers unmatched design, sports sedan handling and performance, good fuel efficiency, luxury-like feature sets, and even enough room for people and their belongings for far under $40,000 when fully equipped. The K5 makes a compelling argument for sedans, which, ideally, keeps the sector alive even though they may be a dying breed. Yes, a new Honda Accord is available, but it lacks a more powerful engine and has a blander design than the K5.
