Kia K5 2023 GT-Line

The following review is for a 2022 Model Year. There may be minor changes to current model you are looking at.

Introduction

The 2022 Kia K5 is a five-seat family sedan; it replaced the Optima in the 2021 model year. With its daring, almost menacing look, and a cabin built for long-distance or daily drives, the K5 joins the movement toward more showy mid-size sedans. 

For 2022 there is a new GT making 290 hp from a turbo-4 engine, delivered to the front wheels, sometimes to the detriment of handling despite a sport suspension. 

Most K5s have a 180-hp turbo-4 that's efficient and perky enough, with a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic. All-wheel drive is available in every model but the GT. 

The EPA rates the base LX at 29 mpg highway, 38 highway, 32 combined, while other models get 1 less combined mpg. With all-wheel drive, it's 25/33/28 mpg. The GT gets 24/32/27 mpg. 

The IIHS calls it a Top Safety Pick+. The LED headlights on GT and GT-Line models were rated 'Good,'? while other models have 'Acceptable'? headlights. The NHTSA gives the K5 five stars overall, with a four-star rating for front passenger and overall front passenger protection. 

Every K5 has active lane control and automatic emergency braking. On higher trims it adds blind-spot monitors with steering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and all-wheel drive. A head-up display and a surround-view camera system are options on the EX and GT. 

With the K5, Kia has improved its active lane control to make it less obtrusive; it doesn't boomerang around in its lane during driver-assist mode. 

Safety scores have been good, and the K5 has standard active lane control and automatic emergency braking. On top trims, a head-up display and a surround-view camera system are optional. 

Lineup

Made in Georgia, the K5 is sold in LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT models. 

The $24,685 K5 LX comes with cloth upholstery, power features, LED headlights, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. 

The $25,685 K5 LXS adds keyless start, a split-folding rear seat and blind-spot monitors. All-wheel drive is optional for $1,800. 

The $29,585 EX adds remote start, synthetic leather upholstery, and LED headlights Options include a panoramic roof, power front seats with heating and cooling, Bose audio, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. 

The $27,0855 K5 GT-Line has synthetic leather and cloth upholstery, 18-inch wheels, 10-way power driver seat, and, new for 2022, navigation. Options include a 10.3-inch touchscreen, a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging, adaptive cruise control, and all-wheel drive. 

The $32,085 K5 GT gets the 290-hp turbo-4 and a sport-tuned suspension, along with 19-inch wheels and sport seats. 

The K5 also comes with an excellent 5-year/60,000-mile warranty, tops in its class. 

Walkaround

The K5 is lithe and lovely, its design crisp and attractive. It has a hawk-like nose framed by LED lighting, a pretty roofline graced with metallic trim, and a wide band of taillights. 

The honeycomb grille is angled and shaped like a beak, making it look almost predatory. Sharp creases travel on the hood to the base of the windshield, where the intersection of lines is a bit busy, but the body flares along the sides draw attention away. A short trunk and full-width taillights bring it all to a nice conclusion. 

Interior

The GT-Line and lesser models have more glossy trim and hard plastic than the GT or EX models, which add synthetic leather, metallic, padded and open-pore woodgrain trim; but they all have plastic door pulls that perpetually show fingerprints. 

The touchscreen sits atop the dash, 8.0 inch on some models, 10.3 inches on models with navigation. 

At 193.1 inches long, riding on a 112.2-inch wheelbase, the K5 is a mid-size car. Front passengers have a good range of seat adjustment. Mid-level models have power seats, and more expensive models have heating and cooling with synthetic leather. The seat coolers have a pronounced outline that cuts comfort on long-distance drives. 

In back, the K5 has tall doors, good head room and 35.2 inches of leg room. Three in the rear is a bit tight. The rear seat can fold down on most models to open up the already large 16.0-cubic-foot trunk. 

The rearward vision is blocked by the roof pillars, so the optional cameras and parking sensors are a good idea. 

Driving Impression

The base engine is a 180-hp 1.6-liter turbo-4, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission, in front- or all-wheel drive. The performance is reasonably strong, something more than forgettable. 

Gear changes are swift, and the torque comes early to bring good off-the-line acceleration. Sport mode quickens the shifts and throttle response, and adds weight to the steering, helping to keep the K5 from wandering. The steering doesn't have much feel, but it's precise. 

The suspension tuning is good, but at low speeds the ride can be lumpy, especially with the 18-inch wheels on top trims. It gets better at speed with the 17-inch wheels, where it's tuned for a well-controlled and absorbent ride. 

The brakes perform well at any speed; the pedal doesn't get overly stiff or mushy. 

All-wheel drive isn't available on the model that most needs it, the GT, which uses 2.5-liter turbo-4 making 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic. It's good for 0-60 mph times in about 5.8 seconds. With no discernible turbo lag, and an extra Sport+ mode that recalibrates shift speed, throttle input, and steering heft, the GT can claim sport-sedan status. But lacking all-wheel drive, it can overwhelm and spin its tires. 

The suspension is tuned more for comfort than cornering, but the ride and handling still venture over the firmness line. The conventional strut and multi-link suspension uses firmer dampers and harder bushings to cut down on body lean in corners. The steering offers more feedback in the GT and the other models, even with all-season tires. 

Summary

With the base 1.6-liter turbo-4 engine making an adequate 180 hp, the 2022 Kia K5's appeal is mostly in its handsome looks. We'd take the K5 EX for its sub-$30,000 sticker, and save some room for options such as a surround-view camera system. 

-by Sam Moses with driving impressions by The Car Connection. 

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