Kia K5 2022 Review

The 2022 Kia K5 is a midsize sedan that's one of MatoCar' favorite cars on the road today. When it debuted last year as a replacement for the Kia Optima, the K5 impressed with its sharp styling and comfortable and quiet interior. Kia's excellent warranty and a long list of standard and optional features for the money add to the K5's appeal.

The K5 has a sporty and premium feel you can't find in most rivals. Certainly, there are some familiar alternatives here, including the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry. There's also the Hyundai Sonata, which is mechanically related to the K5 and shares many of the same qualities. Still, the K5 stands slightly above the competition. Find out exactly how by reading our Expert Rating below.

The 2022 Kia K5 is available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX and GT. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive (AWD) is optional for the LXS and GT-Line. Standard and optional feature highlights include:

LX The base LX trim comes with an appealing mix of features, including:

• 180-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine
• Eight-speed automatic transmission
• 16-inch wheels
• LED headlights
• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (with wireless connectivity)
• Six-speaker sound system

All K5s also come with these advanced safety features:

• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane keeping system (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
• Driver attention warning (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)

LXS Adds the following at a very reasonable price:

• Proximity keyless entry and push-button start
• Remote start
• 60/40-split folding rear seats with a center armrest
• USB ports for rear passengers
• Smartphone-based remote monitoring and control
• Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
• Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while in reverse)
• Rear passenger safe-exit system (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into vehicles approaching from behind)

GT-Line Similar to the LXS but has:

• Additional sporty and black exterior treatments
• 18-inch wheels
• Foglights
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• Cloth and simulated leather upholstery
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• 10.25-inch touchscreen (deletes wireless connectivity for CarPlay and Android Auto)
• Integrated navigation system

The GT-Line is available with the GT-Line Premium package:

• Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the K5 and the vehicle in front)
• Panoramic sunroof
• Ambient interior lighting
• Heated steering wheel (with AWD only)
• Gloss-black exterior trim

EX Forgoes the GT-Line's sporty look but adds a dash of luxury with:

• Panoramic sunroof
• Heated and ventilated front seats
• Climate control vents for rear passengers
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Rear parking sensors

The available EX Premium package comes with:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward parking sensors
• Driver's seat memory settings
• Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the K5 and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
• Rear automatic braking (brakes if sensors detect an imminent collision with an object behind the vehicle)
• 12-speaker premium Bose sound system
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Heated steering wheel

GT The performance-oriented GT is equipped much like the EX. It also has:

• 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine
• Eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters
• Upgraded brakes
• Sport-tuned suspension
• Most of the GT-Line's styling flourishes
• Front sport seats

The GT's optional GT-1 package largely gets you the features from the EX Premium package.