KiaK5

　　

2024 Kia K5 Review

byChristian WardlawCorrespondent

　　Christian Wardlaw has worked in the automotive industry since 1994. He has written nearly 10,000 car-related articles and tested and reviewed more than 2,000 vehicles over the course of his career. Chris is a correspondent at zzdcar and was the first editor-in-chief of zzdcar.com in the 1990s. He has also contributed to Autotrader, CarGurus, J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, NADAguides, New York Daily News Autos and WardsAuto. His mom claims that his first word was “car,” and Chris believes that Miata is always the answer.

　　If you're looking for a stylish alternative to the typical midsize sedan, consider the 2024 Kia K5. The K5 replaced the Optima in 2021 and quickly became our favorite in its class. There were rumors that the K5 might be due for a major refresh this year, but instead it returns mostly unchanged. The only difference is the GT-Line trim now comes with heated seats as standard equipment.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 Kia K5 LXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$121/mo  for K5 LXS

　　K5 LXS

　　LXS 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $25,390 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) (Most Popular) - $26,890 MSRPGT-Line 4dr Sedan AWD (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $28,490 MSRPEX 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) - $29,290 MSRPGT 4dr Sedan (2.5L 4cyl Turbo 8AM) - $31,790 MSRP

　　vs

　　$165/mo

　　Avg. Midsize Car

　　Considering the K5's class-leading status, there really isn't a pressing need for updates or enhancements. It's offered with the choice of two turbocharged engines, with the base engine producing 180 horsepower and the GT increasing output to 290 hp. It would be fair to assume the more powerful GT is the pick for drivers seeking more performance, but it's only offered in front-wheel drive and the tires are easily overwhelmed by the power. It turns out that the supporting GT-Line with all-wheel drive is the driver's choice and also makes sense for those living in rainy and cold climates.

　　Consumers aren't buying midsize cars like they used to, and the shrinking segment has about half the number of models it did in recent years. That means the K5 has fewer rivals to battle, but those remaining include heavy hitters such as the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. In addition, the 2024 Kia K5 faces off with an appealingly updated version of the Hyundai Sonata, which it has a lot of mechanical similarities to. Check out our test team's Expert Rating below to learn more about the K5's performance, comfort and more.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Great

　　8.3

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the K5 drive? The Kia K5 with its standard 180-horsepower engine won't impress you, but power is more than sufficient for daily use. It matches the Honda Accord in a straight line, taking 8 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph from a stop. Stopping from 60 mph requires a few more feet than average, but otherwise braking is easy and smooth.

　　The K5's aggressive styling might suggest it's sportier than usual, but that's simply not the case. We'd call the steering and handling par for the course. But perhaps what's more important is the K5 is easy to drive. The transmission shifts pretty seamlessly and is responsive to downshifts when you need to pass.

　　

Comfort

8.5/10

　　How comfortable is the K5? The K5 is as silent on the highway as some luxury sedans. Seriously. The front seats provide decent comfort over several hours, with a good amount of cushioning and moderate support from the side bolsters. The suspension ably soaks up road imperfections and avoids feeling overly soft. We're also impressed with the climate control system that features a unique three-mode auto setting that can limit fan speed. Seat ventilation is available on higher trims.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below