2027 Kia K5

As SUVs continue to dominate American roads, sedans like the Kia K5 offer a compelling alternative. Among midsize sedans, the K5 stands out with bold styling, a well-appointed interior, and a driving experience that’s more engaging than its affordable price might suggest. It also delivers the everyday essentials, including decent fuel economy, generous passenger space, and one of the best warranty packages in the industry. For drivers who want a little more excitement behind the wheel, the performance-oriented K5 GT brings an extra dose of sportiness to the daily commute. With available all-wheel drive (AWD) and a suite of intuitive infotainment and driver-assistance features, the Kia K5 combines practicality, technology, and personality in one attractive package.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize sedans, including the Kia K5.

The Kia K5 drops the fancy EX trim for 2027, making the sporty GT the new range-topping offering.

The Kia K5 is competitively priced, with a starting MSRP that puts it in line with the Hyundai Sonata. Meanwhile, two of the segment’s top sellers, the Honda Accord and hybrid-only Toyota Camry, have starting prices closer to $30,000.

Before buying a K5, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia K5 resale value is about average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2027 Kia K5 comes standard with a 186-horsepower 4-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) is available exclusively on the GT-Line trim. Performance from the base engine is typical for the midsize sedan segment, delivering enough power for everyday driving. Whether navigating busy city streets, merging onto the freeway, or passing slower traffic, the K5 handles daily driving duties with ease. Even with a full cabin of passengers, we’ve found the standard engine provides plenty of power for most situations.

For drivers who want more excitement from their daily commute, the Kia K5 GT takes things up a notch. Its turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 290 hp, delivering a substantial performance boost while retaining the practicality of a midsize sedan. With performance comparable to some luxury sport sedans at a considerably lower price, the K5 GT offers an appealing blend of speed and value. Beyond the more powerful engine, the GT also benefits from a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, a quad-tip exhaust system, and paddle shifters for a more engaging driving experience.

Powertrain

Kia has consistently impressed us with interiors that feel more upscale than their price tags suggest thanks to thoughtful design, attractive materials, and solid build quality. The dashboard features a panoramic display that includes a 12.3-inch infotainment screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The combined climate and infotainment control panel can take some time to get used to, particularly for drivers who prefer traditional knobs and buttons. On the other hand, we appreciate the conventional gear shifter mounted on the center console instead of a set of buttons or a rotary dial.

The seats are comfortable overall, although some of our editors needed more time than usual to find their ideal driving position. Rear passengers get a respectable 35.2 inches of legroom, but the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord offer more space for adults. The K5’s 15.6-cubic-foot trunk ranks among the largest in the segment, though cargo capacity is fairly competitive across most midsize sedans.

K5 GT
Truly sporty versions of mainstream midsize sedans are becoming harder to find. The Kia K5 GT bucks that trend with a potent turbocharged engine producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. Upgraded brakes and suspension further enhance its performance, while a sportier exterior package gives it an aggressive look to match.

Infotainment system
Kia has established itself as a leader in bringing advanced infotainment technology to mainstream vehicles, and the K5 continues that trend. Every trim comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims add premium features such as built-in navigation and a Bose sound system.

All-wheel drive
Only available on the GT-Line trim, but we like seeing it on the options list.