2025 Kia K5 Review

Kia’s 2025 K5, starting at $26,990, is a sporty mid-size sedan seating up to five passengers with a refreshed design, inside and out. The K5 was formerly the Optima until Kia swapped names during the 2021 model year.

MotoPickers Rating: 8.8/10

New additions to the 2025 K5 include:

• An enhanced standard 2.5-liter engine (all grades but the GT)
• Bright green brake calipers on the GT trim
• More unique headlights and a larger tail lights
• A trunk lid integrated spoiler
• Fresh wheel designs
• Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Larger infotainment display

Additional merits to the 2025 K5’s name include an interior benefiting from a smooth ride via dynamic tuning, larger cup holders, and industry-leading warranty coverage. Still, the 2025 K5 has its work cut out when competing against segment-dominating rivals like Toyota’s Camry and Honda’s Accord. Our 2025 K5 review will include comparisons to competitors and an honest evaluation of its features so you can determine if this car is as sporty and nice as its design indicates. 

Discover the answer below.

Exterior design spotlight 

The 2025 K5 features a restyled front end with a more daring headlight design characterized by a lightning bolt-like appearance. Amber daytime running lights complement these LED headlights, alongside optional LED fog lights, which are becoming less prevalent in today’s market. Tweaks to the front bumper include a darkened, lowered front fascia, while the hood lines remain bold. 

In addition to new neon green brake calipers, the 2025 K5 GT model’s exterior includes 18” or 19” alloy wheels with a gloss black machine finish and quad-tip dual exhaust. Those who prefer showing off their car’s exhaust should opt for a K5 GT, as other trims hide their exhaust under the passenger side and feature two rear slots mostly filled with plastic. The base LXS trim contains 16” alloy wheels, and the EX graduates to an 18” configuration.

Kia further establishes the K5’s sporty presence with Pirelli tires designed for optimal control. The side profile remains primarily unchanged from prior years, with features like a chrome upper window strip flowing into the rear deck lid standing out. New LED tail lights mirror the headlights’ design for more design cohesion, while the rear diffuser sits in a lower position.

The 2025 K5’s seven exterior colors include:

• Aurora Black Pearl
• Interstellar Gray
• Wolf Gray
• Steel Matte Gray
• Snow White Pearl
• Runaway Red
• Yacht Blue

While the 2025 K5’s exterior resembles previous years, its front and back-end tweaks can easily trigger a double-take—especially with the new spoiler and dramatic headlights.

Interior comfort and features 

The new K5 GT trim’s interior includes a flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, fostering a sporty feel. If you select an all-wheel drive (AWD) GT model, a heated version of this steering wheel is available.  

This cabin also contains sleek controls, quality finishes, and an available panoramic sunroof, which helps natural light contribute to the interior’s open feel. Going for a drive in the 2025 K5 highlights the cabin’s ability to maintain a peaceful environment. All trim levels now feature an acoustic laminated front windshield for less road and wind noise, and every grade except the LSX receives acoustic laminated front door glass. This front door glass is typically an optional upgrade within more expensive luxury competitors. 

The 2025 K5’s door panels feature wood and silver trim that blends well with gloss black accents and a soft-touch armrest. Features like air conditioning are controllable via physical dials for those seeking a more tactile driving experience, but the EX trim does contain a lighter headliner, which may deter some. 

Still, synthetic leather material on all trims except the base 2025 K5 and a wide gear shifter establish an attractive modern design language. Tilt steering wheel adjustments are manual instead of automatic, but exceptional rear visibility enhances interior ergonomics. 

Transitioning to the rear row reveals hard plastic on the front row seats’ backsides, which makes them easy to clean. The backs of the front seats also contain wide pockets for passenger storage. Two USB-C ports below the rear AC vents keep second-row passengers connected while the materials feel as good as the front row. 

The 2025 K5 offers 16 cu. ft. of trunk storage space, which is comparable to competitors like Toyota’s Camry, Honda’s Accord, and Hyundai’s Sonata.

Performance and driving experience 

Kia offers prospective 2025 K5 customers a choice between the model’s standard 2.5-liter engine with 191 horsepower or the turbocharged GT 2.5-liter engine with 290 horsepower and class-leading 311 lb-ft of torque. The more powerful turbocharged option produces a 5.4-second 0-60 MPH time, whereas its standard counterpart drops to 6.8 seconds. All K5 trims come with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. 

The GT trim benefits from wide-track sport-tuned suspension, which utilizes lightweight materials for sharp handling in areas like its turn radius. This suspension feels much better than you’ll find in competitors like Toyota’s Camry. Standard suspension for this model includes McPherson strip front suspension and independent multi-link rear suspension, in addition to front and rear stabilizer bars. 

Available AWD helps this Kia distribute torque equally between the front and rear axles, resulting in increased traction on varied terrain. The K5’s optional Pirelli P-Zero tires further enhance this traction, helping form a solid braking feel. 

Drivers can expect the 2025 K5 to deliver 23-26 MPG in the city and 33-37 MPG on the highway, which is competitive for a non-hybrid. It’s vital to note that the throttle response is significantly better on this car’s turbocharged GT 2.5-liter engine. MotoPickers’ test drive included multiple moments where we looked at the speedometer and were traveling faster than expected. 

Those looking to get the most out of the turbocharged GT 2.5-liter engine can activate Sport Mode or switch to other modes, such as Eco, for optimal fuel economy or Snow during winter.

Technology and infotainment

The 2025 Kia K5’s most significant technological upgrade is its available 24” combined panoramic display, which offers valuable features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Wireless charging ensures a smartphone stays connected to the infotainment system while reducing the presence of pesky cables. The infotainment display also plays a central role in the K5’s quality safety capabilities, which we’ll explore more in-depth later. 

Like most competitors, this car allows drivers to enter remote smartphone commands via the automaker’s app, Kia Access. These commands include remote start, cabin preconditioning and a feature helping you locate your vehicle. Kia continually updates the 2025 K5’s technology with wireless over-the-air software updates. 

Standard safety

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) haven’t yet released their crash protection ratings for the 2025 Kia K5, but reviews are likely in progress, given that both organizations reviewed previous K5 entries. Still, a comprehensive look at this model’s standard and available safety features will act as a good starting point.

Auto Emergency Braking is present within the 2025 Kia K5, as expected. Still, some rivals, such as Honda’s Accord, Toyota’s Camry, and Hyundai’s Sonata, contain automatic braking designed to mitigate frontal collision severity instead of avoiding a crash altogether, giving the K5 a safety advantage. Looped into this feature is Junction Turning, which notifies drivers of obstacles during an intersection turn. If the system detects an imminent collision with the obstacle, it’ll respond with assistive steering inputs.

We love how the 2025 K5 includes Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist as a standard feature, as an increasing number of automakers are offering the system as an optional upgrade within the mid-size segment. If a driver is too close to a collision during a lane change, Collision-Avoidance Assist will provide brake and steering assistance to help you return to your lane. 

While the 2025 Kia K5’s rear vision is already exceptional, you’ll receive extra assistance during reverse driving with Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. This system warns of obstacles via front and rear parking sensors and provides automatic braking if necessary. Getting out of the 2025 K5 is seamless thanks to Safe Exit Assist, which can override attempts to open child safety locks if it detects oncoming hazards like traffic. Passengers will also receive audio alerts.

Available safety

Drivers can up the ante on their safety within the 2025 Kia K5 by opting for the available Blind-Spot View Monitor, which shows live video footage of your rear blind spots via the digital dashboard gauge. 

Those looking to enhance their environmental awareness behind the wheel can select the Surround View Monitor, which displays an overhead view of the K5’s surroundings via the central display. 

Navigation is an optional feature, but that’s the case with most vehicles these days. Kia sweetens the deal by coupling its navigation with Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, which keeps you at a safe distance from cars you’re trailing via automatic braking and acceleration.

Pricing and trims 

Let’s take a closer look at each of the 2025 Kia K5’s four grades by briefly highlighting their features and starting prices. 

LXS (base model) – $26,990 front-wheel drive

While the base 2025 K5 has cloth seating instead of synthetic leather, it offers perks like an estimated 37 MPG on the highway, LED headlights and tail lights, and a 12.3” display. AWD is not available for the LXS.

GT-Line front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive – $27,990/$29,590

The primary difference between the 2025 Kia K5 GT-Line and the GT models is that GT-Line variants contain a lower-grade powertrain with 191 horsepower. Moving into a GT-Line trim also provides synthetic leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped gear shift knob, and 18” Alloy Wheels with Gloss Black and Machined Finish. 

GT front-wheel drive (available all-wheel drive) – $33,090

If you prioritize an ideal mix of speed and handling, we recommend selecting a GT front-wheel drive (FWD) 2025 K5 over the AWD version. In addition to FWD dynamics, this trim’s handling benefits from a sport-tuned suspension and an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

EX front-wheel drive (available all-wheel drive) – $34,490

Besides a fully loaded safety configuration, the EX trim distinguishes itself with features like an upgraded Bose premium sound system with 12 speakers, a heated steering wheel, and ventilated front seats.

MotoPickers’ favorite 2025 Kia K5 trim

Our preferred 2025 Kia K5 trim is the GT grade due to its balance of form and function. Its new neon-green brake calipers are genuinely eye-catching, in addition to its quad-tip exhaust system. Moving from a GT-line K5 into a GT version costs around $5,000 more, but the extra 99 horsepower helps support the model’s sporty design. 

Warranty info

The 2025 K5’s warranty is industry-leading, with five years or 60,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper coverage, whichever comes first, and 10 years or 100,000 miles for the powertrain. Toyota’s Camry, Honda’s Accord, Nissan’s Altima, Hyundai’s Sonata, and the Mazda6 all contain shorter coverage periods.

Conclusion

Kia’s 2025 K5 gets an impressive 8.8/10 overall MotoPickers rating due to its specs that check several boxes drivers seek within the mid-size sedan segment. The exterior styling hasn’t changed dramatically from 2024, but elements like refined headlights and a reworked front fascia communicate a sense of fresh appeal. 

You also won’t have to sacrifice mileage when moving into the model’s turbocharged powertrain. Kia does an excellent job supporting this elevated performance with an array of standard and available safety features.

Since K5 is a newer model, consumers will likely appreciate Kia streamlining the car’s inventory with four primary trim options—all of which are relatively similar in price. Regarding the interior, Kia’s decision to implement a dual 12.3” panoramic display configuration was a good move. Still, the cabin has a few too many touch controls, as the new touch sensor for climate settings is somewhat tedious.

Kia’s 2025 K5 is ideal for drivers looking for a sportier alternative to long-running rivals, like Honda’s Accord. We recommend testing both powertrain options to ensure you select the correct version for your driving needs. If you’re still unsure whether you should prioritize test driving a 2025 K5 or one of its competitors, check out MotoPickers’ review of the 2023 Kia Stinger for more insight into a comparable model.