2024
The Car Connection
Best Car To Buy
The Car Connection Expert Review
Cherise Threewitt
November 8, 2022
Likes
- Dramatic styling
- Optional all-wheel drive
- User-friendly tech
- Fun-to-drive GT model
- Good safety test results
Dislikes
- Bland name
- Dull base interior
- Some busy styling
- Should have a hybrid model
Buying tip
With an upgraded cabin and bigger infotainment display, the K5 EX is the best value after the base LXS model.
features & specs
EX Automatic FWD
GT DCT FWD
GT-Line Automatic AWD
MPG
27 city / 37 hwy
MPG
24 city / 32 hwy
MPG
25 city / 33 hwy
MSRP
$29,190
MSRP
$31,690
MSRP
$28,390
See Full 2023 Kia K5 Specs »
The 2023 Kia K5 has great value, sharp styling, and a sporty 290-hp GT edition.
What kind of car is the 2023 Kia K5? What does it compare to?
The Kia K5 is a value-oriented five-passenger sedan, formerly known as the Optima. Competitors include cars like the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, and Hyundai Sonata.
Is the 2023 Kia K5 a good car?
The K5 offers good safety and features across the lineup, which consists of LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT models. The 2023 K5 earns a TCC Rating of 7.0 out of 10. (Read more abouthow we rate cars.)
What’s new for the 2023 Kia K5?
Kia has discontinued the entry-level LX trim, and all-wheel drive is no longer available with the LXS, which is now the base trim; however, prices have remained stable. The GT-Line model is now available with a panoramic roof, and the GT-Line AWD model gets a standard heated steering wheel. All models except the base LXS now feature acoustic glass in the front door windows.
Last year added the GT model, which carries over and continues to add interest to the K5 line with a 290-hp powertrain. The rest of the K5 line comes with a 180-hp turbo-4 paired with a smooth 8-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is available with the GT-Line. The Kia K5 comfortably accommodates four adults, and the rear bench can squeeze in a fifth, if necessary. Trunk space is competitive for the class. With good safety scores and standard features, the Kia K5 presents a solid value. How much does the 2023 Kia K5 cost? The base LXS costs $26,185 and includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a split-folding rear seat, blind-spot monitors, and a 5-year/60,000-mile warranty. The GT-Line and GT-Line AWD, at $27,585 and $29,285, respectively, bring interior upgrades. The $30,085 EX adds synthetic leather upholstery and LED headlights, and the $32,585 GT model adds 110 hp courtesy of an upgraded turbo-4 as well as a sport suspension system. Where is the 2023 Kia K5 made? In West Point, Georgia.
7
2023 Kia K5 Styling
A dramatic shape signals ambition.
Is the Kia K5 a good-looking car?
The Kia K5 has sharp exterior styling and a great interior layout. These attributes earn extra points for a score of 7.
The K5 has a crisp exterior design, though it may err on the side of too many details. The beaklike, almost predatory grille is framed by hard-edged, adventurously shaped lighting. Bold body creases draw the eye along the side towards a short trunk and taillights that run the full width.
The design’s a little more subdued inside, and entry models have lots of hard plastic and glossy trim. On EX trims and up, Kia allocates more padding, attractive metallic trim, and even some genuine woodgrain. All K5s feature an infotainment touchscreen mounted on the dash, 8.0 or 10.3 inches, depending on model.
6
2023 Kia K5 Performance
The K5 nudges the performance needle just a little in the right direction.
Powered by a peppy turbo-4 and enhanced with smart suspension tuning and communicative steering, the K5 is a little more engaging to drive than some models in this segment. The ride earns an extra point, scoring a 6 on the TCC scale.
Is the Kia K5 4WD?
Some models have all-wheel drive, but it’s oddly not available with the 290-hp K5 GT. How fast is the Kia K5? The K5’s base engine is a 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4, which sends its power to the front or all four wheels through an 8-speed automatic transmission that achieves quick shifts. Acceleration is good off the line, and selectable driving modes improve throttle and transmission response. Sport mode also improves steering weight and, in turn, steering precision, which is beneficial to handling even though it doesn’t feel particularly sporty. If you’re concerned about ride quality and cabin noise, we recommend finding a model that comes equipped with 17-inch wheels instead of the 18-inch wheels on higher trims; the bigger alloys emphasize bumps and lumps in the road, adding some discomfort to the ride. Brake feel is strong and confident regardless of speed of travel. K5 GT performance The K5 GT ditches the base engine in favor of a 2.5-liter turbo-4 rated at 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission sends the power to the front wheels and is capable of a 0-60 mph sprint estimated at 5.8 seconds. The GT can legitimately claim sport-sedan status, thanks to a lack of discernible turbo lag and the Sport+ drive mode that cranks up shift speed, throttle input, and steering heft to further improve driving dynamics. That said, these enhancements push ride and handling to the firm side, especially considering the strong steering feedback and stiffer suspension system. The K5 GT is still comfortable enough to be a daily driver, though it might be a little too firm for some shoppers.
8
2023 Kia K5 Comfort & Quality
With space for five and a big trunk, the K5 sweeps up in utility.
The Kia K5 can accommodate five passengers and their bags across the lineup, though materials and finish vary considerably across the trim hierarchy. Overall, the good front- and back-seat comfort and the generously proportioned trunk earn an 8 here.
The K5 lands squarely in the mid-size segment with plenty of passenger space, thanks to a 193.1-inch body on a 112.2-inch wheelbase. Mid-level models get power seats, and more expensive models get synthetic leather with heating and cooling. Note that Kia’s seat cooling system causes a pronounced outline on the seat surface, which may impact long-term comfort for some drivers.
Rear passengers enjoy easy ingress and egress thanks to tall doors, and most tall passengers will have adequate headroom even with the panoramic sunroof as well as 35.2 inches of leg room. The rear row can fold on most models to expand the trunk space beyond its 16.0 cubic feet. Though we appreciate the K5’s jaunty style, there’s a clear hierarchy when it comes to interior finishes. All models have gloss plastic door pulls prone to fingertip smears, but at least on the EX and GT models, the synthetic leather upholstery replaces some of the cheaper materials found in base trims and offsets what remains.
8
2023 Kia K5 Safety
The K5 rises in the safety rankings.
How safe is the Kia K5?
Good crash-test results earn the K5 an 8 for safety.
The NHTSA awards the 2023 K5 five stars overall, with four-star ratings for both frontal crash and rollover protection. The IIHS awarded the 2022 K5 with a Top Safety Pick+ designation. The LED headlights on GT and GT-Line models were dubbed “Good,” while other models have “Acceptable” headlights. Standard safety features include active lane control, automatic emergency braking, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, and lane follow assist. A head-up display and a surround-view camera system are options on the EX and GT. We recommend the optional cameras and parking sensors, since the K5’s roof pillars impede outward vision.
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9
2023 Kia K5 Features
Big screens, big warranty—big value.
The K5 is well-equipped to score attention in its segment, with a class-leading warranty, a user-friendly infotainment system, and a competitive list of standard features. These are all indicators of a great value and earn the K5 a 9 here.
Which Kia K5 should I buy?
This year, the LXS becomes the base model, with a price of $26,185, a slight price cut compared to the 2022 LXS. Features include cloth upholstery, an 8.0-inch touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, keyless start, and a split-folding rear seat. The GT-Line is $27,585 and comes in at $29,285 with all-wheel drive. It’s fitted with acoustic front window glass, synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, and a 10-way power driver’s seat. Options include a 10.3-inch touchscreen which can be fitted that, oddly, makes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto no longer wireless. Other available upgrades include a panoramic sunroof and wireless charging. The EX, at $30,085, adds synthetic leather and remote start, with options such as heated and cooled power front seats, Bose premium audio, and a surround-view camera system. How much is a fully loaded Kia K5? The K5 GT gets the more powerful engine, a 290-hp turbo-4, plus a sport-tuned suspension, 19-inch wheels and sport seats, for $32,585. The K5 also comes with a best-in-class warranty, 5-year/60,000-mile coverage.
4
2023 Kia K5 Fuel Economy
Despite the turbos, the K5 gets good gas mileage.
Is the Kia K5 good on gas?
The Kia K5 is reasonably efficient despite its turbocharged engines. According to the EPA, front-drive LXS, GT-Line, and EX models check in at 27 mpg city, 37 highway, 31 combined. That’s good for a rating of 4.
The K5 GT-Line drops to 25/33/28 mpg when equipped with all-wheel drive. The GT’s more powerful engine sacrifices one mpg across the board.
