Kia K5
The 2025 Kia K5 is a midsize sedan with seating for five and available all-wheel drive. Introduced for the 2021 model year, the K5 replaced the previous Optima sedan. A 191-horsepower four-cylinder engine coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission serves as the base powertrain. Front-wheel drive is standard, though all-wheel drive can be added to the midrange GT-Line model.
Explore the evolution of the Kia K5
Get our expert take on used Kia K5 models, or view year-by-year changes.
First Generations Kia K5
Also available is a turbocharged V6 offering 290 hp. Available solely in the GT trim, this version of the K5 makes it one of the quickest family-friendly midsize sedans available. Standard equipment on the 2025 K5 includes a user-friendly 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, four USB ports, voice recognition, and the following driver aids: adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic warning, vehicle exit warning, rear-seat reminder, and automatic high beams.
The 2025 model year ushers in freshened exterior and interior styling, along with a new, more powerful standard engine. One of the K5’s standout features is its expressive swept-back exterior design. While it might look like a hatchback, the K5 has a traditional trunk opening with access to a roomy 15.6 cubic feet of space. Unfortunately, the sleek silhouette presents one drawback—the sloping roofline demands a careful approach to getting in and out of the rear seats.
Model highlights
Standard four-cylinder engine
Front-wheel drive
Available all-wheel drive (GT-Line)
Optional turbocharged four-cylinder
Eight-speed transmission
12.3-inch touchscreen
Wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™
Many standard driver aids, such as rear cross-traffic warning and blind-spot monitoring
Changes by year
Latest generation from 2021 - 2025
2025 Kia K5
Highlights
Refreshed exterior and interior styling
Standard 12.3-inch touchscreen
New standard engine adds power
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2024 Kia K5
2023 Kia K5
Highlights
LX trim is discontinued
Sound-reducing acoustic glass added to front windows of EX, GT-Line, and GT trims
GT-Line is available with Panoramic Roof package that includes interior LED lighting
Heated steering wheel is standard on the GT-Line AWD
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2022 Kia K5
Highlights
EX and GT trims get a new surround-view parking camera system
LXS trim gains rear USB ports
GT-Line, EX, and GT trims now come with a 10.3-inch touchscreen
Navigation is now standard on GT-Line, EX, and GT trims
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2021 Kia K5
Highlights
The K5 is a new Kia sedan for the 2021 model year, replacing the Optima
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Nick Kurczewski has been writing about cars for more than 20 years, and his enthusiasm for journalism has led him to cover auto-related stories around the world. From blasting down the German autobahn to covering every major auto show, his stories have appeared in the New York Times, Car and Driver, U.S. News & World Report, Kelley Blue Book, Cars.com and the New York Daily News, where he served as head editor. Having once aspired to be a Formula One racer, Nick discovered sharing his passion for cars as a journalist is just as thrilling as dreaming of pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix.
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