Entering the new year, the 2025 Kia K5 midsize sedan unveils a refreshed appearance and now includes a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Kia’s announcement on Friday states a starting price of $28,145, which encompasses a $1,155 destination fee.
This represents a $1,630 price hike from the 2024 Kia K5, previously known as the Kia Optima sedan. While still cheaper than the 2024 Hyundai Sonata and below the $29,000 Honda Accord that underwent a redesign in 2023, it no longer retains the cost-effective status it once boasted. The existing 2024 Nissan Altima initiates at $26,825, and the 2025 Subaru Legacy commences at $26,040 with standard all-wheel drive, establishing itself as the best value proposition in the segment.
The sole 2025 Kia K5 variant equipped with all-wheel drive is the GT-Line, priced at $30,745.
The LXS, GT-Line, and EX now feature a 2.5-liter inline-4 powertrain, replacing the former 1.6-liter turbo-4. This upgrade results in a power boost of 11 hp to 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque. Standard features include an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive.
The interior showcases significant enhancements highlighted by the new expansive touchscreen that integrates with an available 12.0-inch digital instrument cluster. Positioned beneath the touchscreen is a compact climate control display containing two climate knobs and haptic touch controls for miscellaneous functions.
2025 Kia K5
Every model comes equipped with driver-assist technologies such as automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, adaptive cruise control, and a driver-attention monitor. Alongside the Hyundai Sonata, the K5’s primary advantage over its competitors lies in its 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty.
The base XLS rides on 16-inch wheels and showcases cloth upholstery.
The GT-Line is priced at $29,145 with front-wheel drive or $30,745 with all-wheel drive. These prices represent an increase of $1,130 from the previous year. In addition to heated front seats, it comes with synthetic leather upholstery and acoustic glass on the front windshield, while riding on 18-inch alloy wheels.
The EX experiences the most significant price bump and feature enhancement, now positioned as the range-topping model. Costing $35,645, this marks a $5,230 increase from the 2024 EX model and introduces amenities such as cooled front seats, a sunroof, a 10-way power driver seat, a heated steering wheel, power folding mirrors, and a Bose 12-speaker sound system that was an optional feature last year.
The GT retains its 2.5-liter turbo-4 engine generating 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It is paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that delivers power solely to the front wheels, all offered at a price lower than the EX model at $34,245.
The availability of the 2025 Kia K5 at dealerships is scheduled for this spring.
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