Kia updated the K5 for 2025, with new styling, a larger base engine, and larger screens inside. The GT 2.5T, however, still offers 290 HP of tire roasting fun!
| What’s Good: Strong, turbocharged 2.5-liter engine. Good compromise between ride and handling. Improved, more grown-up styling. | What Could Improve: No hybrid option limits fuel economy. Only one trim offers all-wheel-drive. Too many options baked into pricy GT1 package. | My Conclusion: A nicely tuned chassis with proper punch from the turbocharged motor up front, combined with sharp looks makes the K5 a sleeper sport sedan. |
OVERVIEW
After the name change to K5 in 2021, Kia updated its midsize sedan for 2025. The larger of two sedans offered, the K5 comes in five trims: LXS, EX, GT-Line, GT-Line AWD, and this, top-of-the-line GT 2.5T. While the other four trims see a new engine under the hood, the GT 2.5T keeps its turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4 and all the power and torque that comes with it. But even this trim sees changes inside and out.
Getting into any 2025 Ki K5 edges close to $30k. The base LXS costs $28,145, if you include the $1155 destination charge. But, from there, the price rises slowly. This turbo powered top trim starts at $34,245. And even though it includes an optional paint color and the price GT1 package, it stays under $40K: $39,625. That’s five grand less than the 2025 Toyota Camry I recently reviewed. Impressive.
powertrain
The lone K5 to receive some real muscle under the hood, the GT 2.5T rocks 290 horsepower and 311 lb.-ft of torque from a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-four-cylinder (I-4). Even better, Kia straps a fast-shifting eight-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) to it before sending the power on the front wheels. As a result, you get sport sedan levels of thrust.
Punch it, and the DCT quickly downshifts into a low gear and allows the K5 to properly sprint. It makes passing on two-lane roads incredibly easy and a lot of fun. You feel strong pull off the line, as well. But you need to keep a light right foot on anything other than grippy dry roads, as the K5’s driven front wheels easily slip in the wet. Unless you like front-wheel burnouts, then it’s glorious.
Aside front the grunt, Kia built a well-balanced, smooth running I-4, akin to the best from Germany and Japan. Moreover, you get both port and direct fuel injection. And feel free to have that system inject regular fuel, it will still make full power. Just cruising? The eight-speed keeps the revs low, and you hear nothing but a low-frequency hum in the background.
New for 2025, Kia swapped in a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter I-4 for the other four trims. It makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb.-ft of torque. A far cry from the 2.5T, but a nice bump compared to the 2024 and older K5s, which relied on a turbo 1.6-liter. That engine pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and offers one all-wheel-drive (AWD) option.
Chassis
Kia equipped the K5 with the most common suspension geometry, struts up front and a multi-link set-up in the rear. And engineers found a good compromise between ride and handling for this four-wheel-independent arrangement. The GT 2.5T trim gets a stiffer, more handling friendly tune, which I appreciate.
Chuck the K5 into a corner and the body leans, but only a tad. The chassis responds appropriately to give you respectable turn-in and only moderate understeer. You wouldn’t choose this over a BMW 3-series to rip through your favorite backroads. But you would still have fun. And yet, if the going gets bumpy, the GT 2.5T offers enough compliance to keep the ride comfy. No problem.
Inside
Critically, my test car included the $4400 GT1 package, which includes a long list of options, (see table below). Choosing it fills the K5 with more driving aids, sharper 19-in wheels, but predominantly accommodates the interior. You get a nicer sound system, a fully digital instrument cluster, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, and several added conveniences. That’s a lot. Perhaps too much. By the way, heated front seats come on EX and higher K5 trims.
Regardless, Kia built a comfortable space with supportive seats upholstered in leatherette, large cupholders, and 16 cubic feet of trunk space. The 12.3-in center display includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, it also runs a new firmware called Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, that operates faster and more smoothly than before.
Kia also built a cabin that isolates out road and wind noise well and provides plenty of charge ports and other related amenities to make it a perfectly pleasant road trip car.
Conclusion
Kia also updated the looks of the K5 for 2025, several subtle changes that mature its style and really make it a handsome machine. That means it’s more grown-up outside and in, has a well sorted powertrain, and a very amenable price tag. In other words, Kia brings several strengths to the table.
Ultimately, the Honda Accord delivers the better driving experience as well as hybrid options. The Toyota Camry offers better fuel economy across the board courtesy of its hybrid only powertrain and more AWD options. But the Kia does the overall best job of making a fun midsize sedan. I like fun.
GT1 Package
- 12.3-inch Curved Instrument Display
- Digital Key 2.0
- Bose® Premium Audio System w/ 12 Speakers
- Active Sound Design
- 19-inch Alloy Wheels, Gloss Black Finish
- Driver’s Seat & Outside Mirror Integrated Memory System
- 10-Way Power Passengers’s Seat w/ 2-Way Power Lumbar Adjustment
- Ventilated Front Seats
- Heated Steering Wheel
- Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist-Reverse
- Surround View Monitor
- Blind-Spot View Monitor
- Side Parking Sensors
- Power-Folding Side View Mirrors
- Power Windows w/ One-Touch Auto-Up/Down
Competitors
Honda Accord
Hyundai Sonata
Toyota Camry
Specifications
2025 Kia K5 GT 2.5T: 4-door, 5-seat, sedan
Base price: $34,245 (includes $1155 destination charge)
Price as Tested: $39,625
Powertrain: turbocharged 2.5-liter I-4
Peak Power: 290 horsepower at 5800 rpm
Peak Torque: 311 lb.-ft between 1650 – 4000 rpm
Transmission: eight-speed dual clutch transmission
Drive: front-wheel-drive
Fuel Economy in MPG and range
23 city
33 highway
27 combined
Driving range: 427 miles
Dimensions
Length: 193.1 inches
Width: 73.2 inches
Height: 56.9 inches
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Weights and Capacities
Curb weight: 3596 lbs.
Interior volume: 105 cu ft
Trunk volume: 16 cu ft
Calculated weight to power (lbs./HP): 12.4:1
Mfr’s claimed 0-62 mph: NA seconds
Mfr’s claimed Top Speed: NA mph
Government classified size: Large car Options: GT1 package, $4400; Steel matte grey paint, $695; carpeted floor mats, $185; carpet mat, $100
