2025 Kia K5 Remains A Mid-Size Sedan Bargain

Pricing has been revealed for the facelifted 2025 Kia K5 sedan, and the updates are far more extensive than last year’s model. The base K5 LXS starts at $26,990, $1,400 over the 2024 model year. The increase comes with the addition of new features, including a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen with navigation, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 12-inch digital gauge cluster.

Most notably, the 1.6-liter turbocharged base engine has been retired in favor of a 2.5-liter normally aspirated four-cylinder. Output now sits at 191 horsepower, an 11 hp increase, and torque is 181 pound-feet, a decrease of 14 lb-ft. As before, front-wheel-drive comes standard, but all-wheel-drive can be added to the GT-Line trim. The GT-Line starts at $27,990 or $29,590 with AWD. All 2.5-liter K5s use an eight-speed automatic transmission.

More Luxurious EX & Sporty GT

Stepping up to the EX trim brings a sizable price jump to $34,490. This is where the K5 starts to get luxurious with a Bose audio system, 10-way power driver’s seat, heated steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, and Digital Key 2.0.

The GT upgrades to a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder producing 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque, starting at $33,090, an $1,100 increase from last year. Drive goes out to the front wheels only via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. With the Toyota Camry no longer offering a V6 engine, the K5 GT (and its Hyundai sibling, the Sonata N Line) has become the go-to sporty mid-size sedan in the mainstream segment.

Kia K5 Competition

Among the K5’s key competitors, the Hyundai Sonata is the closest, sharing both a platform and powertrains. Despite this, the Sonata is more expensive, starting at $27,500, going up to $34,960 for the N Line. Hyundai does offer a hybrid powertrain, while Kia does not. Toyota has not released 2025 Camry pricing yet, but the hybrid-only sedan should be in a similar price range.

Other midsize sedan options include the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Legacy, showing how quickly one of America’s most important vehicle segments has dwindled to just a handful of options. Competitive pricing, new technology, and a hot GT model should help the 2025 Kia K5 remain competitive.