2022 Kia K5

The GT-Line has a sporty exterior, nicer interior, and bigger screen. The 2022 K5 GT Line gets a new 360-degree camera system, power-folding exterior mirrors, and front parking sensors. By spending another $2,500 over the base model, buyers can get into GT-Line trim, which brings the option of all-wheel drive for $1,800 as well as more standard equipment. 

Build your 2022 Kia K5 >>

"The K5 is a stylish and nicely appointed family sedan, and also a great value." - CarandDriver.com

The 2022 K5 is offered in five trims: base LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and range-topping GT. The most affordable Kia K5 for sale is the base LX trim which costs $23,690 excluding the destination charge. On spending $1000 more, you can get the better-equipped LXS trim that has the option of an all-wheel-drive along with more standard features. The mid-level GT-Line trim starts at $26,090, EX costs $28,590 and  the sportier 290 hp K5 GT costs $31,090 (reviewed separately). 

Changes for the latest K5 sedan include an expanded standard features list on the GT-Line and upper trim levels. These models now comes with a standard 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system replacing the base 8.0-inch touchscreen unit. All front-drive GT-Line models get a wireless smartphone charger on the center console, too. The higher EX and GT models get a new 360-degree camera system, power-folding exterior mirrors, and front parking sensors.

The K5 GT-Line offers an AWD option for another $1,600 and the same sporty exterior styling as the GT model but features the base 1.6-liter engine. Like every Kia model, the 2022 K5 sedan comes with a great 5-year/60,000-mile warranty.

Standard Features

The entry-level LX comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple car play, Android Auto LED headlights/daytime running lights, heated side mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, and selectable driving modes.

The standard safety and driver-assistance features include forward-collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high beams, and a rear-occupant alert.

Available Features

The EX and GT-Line cars are eligible for trim-specific Premium packages that add features like Bose premium sound system, heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front passenger seat, memory function for driver's seat, forward parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree surround-view parking camera, and rear automatic braking. Among these, some items are standard and optional in the GT.

A GT1 package is offered with the 2022 K5 GT that adds driver’s-seat/side-mirror memory settings, 10-way power-adjustable front passenger seat, heated steering wheel, advanced driver aids, reverse emergency braking, 360-degree camera system, front parking sensors, and a 12-speaker Bose audio system.

A few options apply to the base LX, such as premium paint and remote start.

The 2022 K5 with the base four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive has an EPA estimated fuel economy of 29 MPG in the city and 38 MPG on the highway. Getting an AWD sees a sharp drop in the K5's gas mileage, returning 25 mpg city and 33 highway. A 14.8-gallon fuel tank is standard on all K5 models, which delivers an average range as compared to rivals.

The Honda Accord leads the pack with an impressive combined EPA rating of 33 MPG. The Kia K5, Toyota Camry, and Hyundai Sonata offer similar efficiency figures, but the Camry stands out thanks to its bigger 15.8-gallon fuel tank and impressive highway range of 616 miles. When comparing the city range, Hyundai Sonata offers the least at 414 miles.

"The K5's interior is thoughtfully designed to be user-friendly." - Edmunds.com

The 2022 Kia K5 builds on the goods of the Kia Optima with a clean, elegant, and spacious cabin. The use of good quality materials like wood trims on the dashboard and doors adds to the appeal. The design resembles newer models like the Stinger and K900 with gloss black plastic and an overall horizontal design. The build quality is excellent with high-quality materials used everywhere.

the K5 also offers an array of upscale interior features, such as ambient interior lighting, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a wireless charging pad. The floating infotainment display hovers over the dashboard above the unique horizontal vents. The climate controls sit below the vents and are easy to access. The K5 also gets a modern flat-bottom steering wheel with plenty of controls. 

The K5 gets comfortable seating at the front and rear with plenty of legroom and headroom even for tall passengers. Cloth upholstery is standard, while the higher trims get synthetic leather upholstery and power adjustability for both the front seats. The GT model gets unique leather upholstery with sports seats at the front for extra support. The sedan comes with a cargo capacity of 16 cubic feet, which is a competitive offering for the segment.

The rear legroom of 35.2 inches, which is quite less as compared to the Honda Accord's 40.4 inches, and the Toyota Camry's 38 inches. However, the contoured ceiling of the K5 does maximize rear headroom. 

The 2022 Kia K5 gets a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is easy to use and also gets physical controls for easy access. Features like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard. Kia also offers an optional 10.25-inch system with customizable profiles and dual Bluetooth connections. A 12-speaker audio system from Bose is also on the options list. 

Among the sedans here, the front row seats are the most spacious on the Kia K5 and mechanically similar to Sonata. But move to the rear seats and there you will see that it's the Honda Accord followed by the Toyota Camry that offers best-in-class space and legroom. Moving to the trunk here also the Honda Accord offers the highest capacity of 16.7 cubic feet followed by the K5 with 16 cubic feet while the Camry gets the smallest trunk space of 15.1 cubic feet among all the sedans here.

Interior Features:

• Push-button start
• Wireless charging
• Power-adjustable front seats with memory function for the driver
• Dual-zone climate control
• Front seat heating and ventilation
• Leather-steering wheel w/ heating function

With the 2022 K5, Kia went for a more aggressive look with sharp and sporty design elements. Like the 2022 Hyundai Sonata, the 2022 K5 also gets sweeping headlights that extend to the fenders and a wide light bar at the rear. The rear gets an elegant design with dual exhausts and a slim boot lid with vents at both sides. The roofline goes all the way to the boot, giving it a coupe-like design. The K5 has an overall longer wheelbase than the Optima, making more space inside,

The 2022 K5 pictures show the same overall design as the 2021 K5, except for the new Kia badge. The lower two trims have 16-inch alloy wheels, the GT-Line and EX have 18-inch alloys, and the sportier GT wear 19-inch alloys. The only premium paint color offered across the range is Glacial White Pearl. A Wolf Gray paint color option is available on the GT-Line and GT models.

Overall, the K5 is a handsome car that looks much better than the outgoing model and follows the modern Kia design language. When it comes to the curb weight, Toyota Camry comes out to be the heaviest option at 3,310 lbs, followed by Honda Accord at 3,150 lbs. While dimensionally all the sedans here are almost similar in size give or take an inch.

Exterior Features:

• LED projector headlights
• Quad-tip dual exhaust
• Panoramic sunroof
• Gloss black rear spoiler
• LED fog lights
• 19-inch alloy wheels

Kia's family sedan earned an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ award, earning the highest Good score in all six crashworthiness categories. The 2022 K5 should receive similarly admirable safety scores as it comes with ample standard and optional driver-assistance technology. The 2021 K5 received a full 5-star overall safety score in the NHTSA crash tests. 

Safety Features:

• Forward collision avoidance assist w/ pedestrian detection
• Driver attention warning
• Lane departure warning
• Lane keep assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• High beam assist

Kia K5 vs Honda Accord

With its long list of features and competent powertrains, the Kia K5 can finally go toe-to-toe with the Honda Accord, offering features like all-wheel-drive and a feature-packed interior. The K5 is also backed by Kia’s excellent basic warranty packages which easily outclass its rivals.

The Accord, on the other hand, offers a roomier cabin and an efficient hybrid powertrain. The Accord is also quicker in terms of acceleration figures. When it comes to choosing between the two, it all comes down to what you expect from your sedan.

Kia K5 vs Toyota Camry

When compared against the best-selling Toyota Camry, the 2022 Kia K5 gets improved safety features and some modern driving aids like safe exit assist and blind-spot cameras. Performance-wise, both models are the same, but the K5 lacks a hybrid powertrain.

The improved looks of the K5 also back it up compared to the Camry. The K5 also handles and is overall more fun to drive than the Camry. Making the Kia K5 worthy enough to breathe down the neck of the Camry.

Kia K5 vs Hyundai Sonata

Both the Kia K5 and Hyundai Sonata are based on the same platform and offer a spacious and comfortable cabin. But that’s where the similarities end. Both models get different styling both inside and out, with the Kia going for a more sporty and sharp look with available all-wheel-drive and extra technology.

The Sonata, on the other hand, is a more sensible choice with an elegant design and a hybrid powertrain similar to market leaders like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Thus making the Sonata a slightly better package between the two. 

The 2022 Kia K5 is a huge improvement over the outgoing Kia Optima in every single area. With a modern design and a long list of features, the 2022 K5 is one of the best mid-size sedans on the market. The biggest drawback continues to be the lack of a hybrid powertrain which when made available will appeal to a wider range of customers. With the death of sedans looming on the horizon, the Kia K5 is a breath of fresh air to the segment and shows us how good a sedan can be. Thus if you’re looking for a jack of all trades sedan, look no further than the Kia K5.