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2024 Kia Soul Review2024 Kia K5 Review
The 2024 Kia K5 comes with exceptional safety, technology features, and a warranty package that puts other brands to shame. Read our full review here.
What’s New for the 2024 Kia K5?
The 2024 Kia K5 is the brand’s mid-size sedan and goes head to head with competitors like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima. For 2024, it receives no major updates at all. In fact, the only change is that the GT-Line trim gets heated seats as standard when that wasn’t the case for 2023. The K5 continues to undercut bigger brands by offering more technology, higher-quality materials, and extensive safety tech for less money.
2024 Kia K5 – kiamedia.com | Shop 2024 Kia K5 on Carsforsale.com
Carsforsale.com Score
9/10
Powertrain
Score
8.25/10
Interior
Score
8.75/10
Technology
Score
9/10
Value
Score
9.5/10
The Breakdown
Outstanding warranty
Above average safety aids
Excellent interior quality
Bland base engine
GT overpowers FWD
AWD limited to GT-Line trim
A well-rounded Sedan
2024 K5 Specs
- 180 horsepower from base engine
- 195 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 4 available trims
- 16 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Available 12-speaker Bose audio system
- Standard lane-following assist
- 10-year powertrain warranty
2024 Kia K5 Powertrain 8.25/10
Kia offers the K5 in four distinct trim levels and the bottom three all share the same powertrain. It consists of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 180 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. That power is then sent through a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission. In the LXS and EX trims, front-wheel drive is the only option.
In the GT-Line, customers can choose from front or all-wheel drive. At their best, this engine and transmission combo gets an EPA-estimated 27 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway. It’s a pretty plain package that won’t be considered fast by anyone but will get the job done for most who choose it.
Above those three trims is the GT trim which boasts a mighty 2.5-liter engine with 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. It takes a hit in the fuel economy figures with 24 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway. Nevertheless, it’s very clearly the star in the lineup and, quite frankly, is too powerful for the front-wheel drive system that Kia uses with it.
The problem is that all of that power creates copious amounts of torque steer and understeer. The sport suspension, sport seats, and bigger brakes are all welcome additions to the GT but they’re not enough to make this into the real sports sedan that it could be.
We said it last year and we’ll say it again here, Kia would benefit if it equipped the GT with a rear-biased AWD system or just simply employed rear-wheel drive. It would immediately put the K5 GT into a class of its own and draw the enthusiast crowd quickly. Despite falling short of that, it’s still one of the best mid-sized cars available today.
2024 Kia K5 Interior 8.75/10
Kia’s K5, and really most of its lineup for that matter, really shows off its value in the cabin. The design is upscale with simple clean lines across the dash and elegant integration of the infotainment system and center console. Kia offers a nice mix of physical buttons, knobs, and switches along with the touchscreen infotainment system. The fit and finish feel like that of a car worth far in excess of the price tag we’re talking about here.
The seats are comfortable and supportive though they sit a bit too high for taller drivers. At the same time, they do provide a commanding view of the road. Forward visibility is especially good.
The rear seats are slightly above average too with real bolstering for the outboard passengers and upholstery that feels great to the touch. Those seats fold down in a traditional 60/40 split to open up additional cargo room should one need more than the 16 cubic feet in the trunk.
2024 Kia K5 Technology Features 9/10
The base K5 comes with an 8-inch infotainment system boasting a simple menu layout, good graphics, and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. That’s a great package for a car at this price point. To make that deal even sweeter, Kia also includes a 4.2-inch digital driver display between analog gauges. Again, we appreciate the nice mix of physical and digital switchgear which remains on the upper trims with a larger 10.3-inch infotainment display.
Sadly, this larger screen loses wireless Android and Apple connectivity. Buyers can still use either type of device but they’ll need a wired connection to do so. Thankfully, the native system is easy to use and quite snappy.
Integrated navigation does a fine job of getting one to and from destinations and the stock sound system is perfectly adequate. Those wanting a bit better audio can opt for a 12-speaker Bose package.
Kia also offers an extensive and impressive safety package on every K5. It includes blind-spot collision avoidance assist, forward collision avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, lane-following assist, driver attention warning, lead-vehicle departure alert, and rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist.
Those who want more can add parking sensors, adaptive cruise control, and parking collision assist. The 2023 K5 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ winner and we expect the 2024 model to achieve the same accolade. It’s already scored a five-star crash test rating from the NHTSA too.
2024 Kia K5 Trims & Pricing
LXS – $26,515
The base K5 comes with a 1.6-liter engine, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. It also gets 16-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, heated power-adjustable mirrors, keyless entry, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, cloth upholstery, height-adjustable front seats, a 60/40 split-folding rear seat, an 8-inch infotainment system, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and automatic high beams.
GT-Line – $28,015
This is the only trim where AWD is available but it comes standard with FWD. It always gets 18-inch wheels, sport-styled bumpers, LED exterior lighting, a rear spoiler, sound-reducing front windows, a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a 10.3-inch infotainment system, satellite radio, integrated navigation, and a wireless charging pad.
EX – $30,415
Consider this the luxury version of the K5 as it gets a panoramic sunroof, upgraded interior trim, heated and ventilated front seats, ambient interior lighting, faux-leather upholstery, rear-seat climate vents, and rear parking sensors. A 12-speaker Bose sound system, a heated steering wheel, power-folding mirrors, driver’s seat memory settings, and a power-adjustable front passenger seat are all available as part of an optional EX Premium package.
GT – $32,915
The top trim gets the above-mentioned 2.5-liter engine, a dual-clutch automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive. It also gets 19-inch wheels, bigger brakes, tighter steering, a sport-tuned suspension, quad exhausts, and front sport seats.
2024 Kia K5 Overall Value 9.5/10
In past comparisons, we’ve called the K5 the ultimate value-priced sedan as it offers the most important things it could in this segment. Those things being safety and quality. Buyers in the mid-size sedan segment don’t tend to prioritize performance or fuel efficiency but the K5 still offers each to a degree.
In addition, Kia offers a 10-year powertrain warranty and a 5-year limited warranty which puts it above every other brand aside from corporate partner Hyundai which offers complimentary maintenance too. If you’re in the market we suggest considering new car incentives before signing on the dotted line.
CarsForSale.com Overall Score 9/10
2024 Kia K5 – kiamedia.com | Shop 2024 Kia K5 on Carsforsale.com
The K5 is a bit of a frustrating car for an enthusiast-minded buyer like me. Every model features exceptional interior quality, tech, safety equipment, and warranty coverage for the money but each one lacks in the performance department for one reason or another.
The base engine is too weak, AWD is limited to one trim level which is also underpowered, and the one trim with outstanding power is hamstrung by an underperforming front-wheel drive system. The K5 is an awesome everyday car that just barely missed out on being an awesome sports sedan.
2024 Kia K5 FAQ
When did the Kia K5 come out?
The Kia K5 came out in 2021 as a direct replacement for the Kia Optima.
How much is a Kia K5?
The Kia K5 starts at $26,515.
Does the Kia K5 have heated seats?
The Kia K5 does have heated seats so long as you select the EX or the GT trim line. Neither the LXS nor GT-Line have heated seats.
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