2026 Kia K5

Sedans make something of a statement in rebellion against the rise of the SUV as America’s preferred way of getting around. The Kia K5 is the midsize car that perhaps makes the loudest statement in this class today. It checks the boxes for what everyone wants in a daily driver, like decent fuel economy and interior space, plus class-leading warranty coverage. But the K5 also boasts a unique look, interior quality that punches above its price point, and a more engaging driving experience than you might expect. For enthusiasts looking for a daily driver that’s exciting to drive, the sporty K5 GT is one of the most thrilling cars in this class. Add in available all-wheel drive (AWD) and some of our favorite infotainment and driver assistance technology, and the Kia K5 makes for a compelling package.

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

Following a mid-cycle refresh for 2025, there are no notable changes to the 2026 Kia K5.

The Kia K5’s starting price is on the lower side of its class, comparable to the Hyundai Sonata and Nissan Altima. The two sales leaders in this class, the Honda Accord and hybrid-only Toyota Camry, both start at right around $30K.

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 2026 Kia K5 is powered by a 191-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). All-wheel drive (AWD) is optional exclusively with the GT-Line trim. The performance of the K5 with its base engine is pretty par for the course for a midsize sedan. It does everything it’s realistically asked to do in daily commuting, from quick maneuvers in city driving to the occasional semi-truck pass on the highway. Even with kids in the back, we’ve found this engine to be more than adequate.

But maybe you have an appetite for something a little sportier in a practical daily driver. Enter the K5 GT, powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder pumping out 290 horsepower, significantly boosting the fun factor without sacrificing practicality. The K5 GT is a veritable sport sedan at a much more affordable price point than a luxury sedan with similar performance specs. In addition to the engine upgrade, other enhancements include a sport-tuned suspension, bigger brakes, quad-tip exhaust, and paddle shifters.

Fuel Economy

The 2026 Kia K5 returns up to 26 city/37 highway/30 combined mpg with the base engine and front-wheel drive. Upgrading to all-wheel drive or the turbo engine in the GT trim brings the combined rating down to 27 mpg.

Notably, the Kia K5 and the Nissan Altima are the only midsize sedans in this class for 2026 that do not come with a hybrid option. The Toyota Camry comes exclusively as a hybrid, which gets up to 51 combined mpg, while the hybrid versions of the Honda Accord and Hyundai Sonata get up to 48 mpg and 47 mpg, respectively. Even when compared to the most efficient versions of its non-hybrid rivals, the Kia K5’s efficiency ratings are on the low side of this class.

We’ve said it many times before and will no doubt repeat it many times in the future, but Kia interiors feel more expensive than they are. The designs, shapes, materials, and build quality all contribute to an excellent overall package. The interior’s centerpiece is a panoramic display with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, which is home to the car’s wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features. The climate and infotainment controls sharing a control panel takes some getting used to; drivers who prefer physical knobs and switches might not like this layout. However, we appreciate the old-fashioned, console-mounted shifter rather than buttons or dials handling shifting duties.

We’ve found the seats sufficiently comfortable, but it took some of our editors a bit more adjusting than usual to find an ideal driving position. The back seats are reasonably roomy with 35.2 inches of legroom, but the Camry and Accord have more adult-friendly rear seating. The K5’s 16-cubic-foot trunk is among the roomiest in the class, although they’re all pretty similar in that regard.

With distinctive angles in the light signatures and sleek lines throughout the body, this is arguably the most visually striking midsize sedan, and we’re all for it. With sedans becoming more of an individual statement than ever, making a strong statement with the K5 follows a particular logic.

Infotainment system
Kia has been on the cutting edge in recent years when it comes to offering the latest and greatest infotainment technology in mainstream  cars, and the K5 is no exception. A 12.3-inch display and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay come standard on every trim, and the upper trims get extras like navigation and Bose audio.

K5 GT
Genuinely sporty variants of mainstream midsize sedans are becoming a thing of the past as hybrids become more popular. The Kia K5 GT keeps the faith with a hearty turbo engine pumping out 290 hp and 311 pound-feet of torque, along with upgraded brakes and suspension, topped off by a sporty appearance package.

Highway Driving Assist
Kia’s Highway Driving Assist is one of our favorite semi-autonomous highway driving systems of its kind. It’s not hands-free, but it’s one of the most natural-feeling systems for keeping you centered in your lane at a safe distance from the car in front of you while you keep a light hand on the wheel.

All-wheel drive
Only available with the GT-Line trim, but at least it’s available.

Blind-Spot View Monitor
Better than basic blind-spot monitoring, this shows real-time video of the side of the car in the digital instrument cluster. This is standard in the EX trim.

Digital Key 2.0
Several people can drive one K5 by using their phone for access. Authorizing another user is as simple as sending a text message.

The main engine in the 2025 K5 lineup is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder unit making 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. The GT variant employs a turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, creating 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. Both engines link up to an 8-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is the standard setup, although the GT-Line (with the 191-horsepower engine) offers the option of all-wheel drive.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Kia’s warranties are among the best available. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first — this includes roadside assistance. Powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety Ratings

Although once named a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), updated tests have downgraded the Kia K5. It took top marks of Good in most crash-test categories, except for a Poor rating in the front overlap test and a Marginal in the side impact test. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to give the K5 its maximum 5-Star overall score. Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, junction turning assistance, and blind-spot monitoring.