2026 Kia K5 Review: Complete Performance Testing and Technology Analysis
The 2026 Kia K5 isn't playing it safe anymore. This midsize sedan actually makes you want to drive it, which is more than you can say about most family cars these days. Kia's figured out how to blend serious performance with everyday practicality, creating something that gives the Honda Accord a real run for its money.
Dual-Engine Strategy: From Efficient Daily Driver to Performance Contender
With the 2026 Kia K5, you get two completely different personalities depending on which engine you choose. The base setup uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that generates 191 horsepower. It's paired with an 8-speed automatic and gets you 26 city/37 highway mpg with front-wheel drive.
For Salem, Oregon, drivers dealing with wet roads, all-wheel drive is available, too. But the real excitement comes with the GT model and its 2026 Kia K5 turbocharged engine. This 2.5-liter turbo four pumps out 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque. We're talking 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, which puts it in serious performance territory. The GT gets its own 8-speed dual-clutch transmission instead of the regular automatic. You also get sport suspension, bigger brakes, quad exhaust tips, and paddle shifters. Fuel economy drops to 23 city/33 highway mpg, but that's expected when you're getting this much power.
Advanced Infotainment and Connectivity Features
The tech setup centers around a 12.3-inch touchscreen that handles everything from navigation to climate control. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, plus there's a wireless charging pad and USB-C ports front and rear. What's cool is how the screen flows into the instrument cluster, creating one continuous display. The premium Bose 12-speaker system sounds great, and the panoramic sunroof opens things up nicely. The phone-as-key feature lets you unlock and start the car with your smartphone, though the shared climate and infotainment controls take some getting used to if you prefer physical buttons.
Driver Assistance and Safety Technology Suite
Safety ratings have changed recently for the K5. While it used to be an IIHS Top Safety Pick+, updated testing dropped those scores. It still gets Good ratings in most crash tests, but scored Poor in the front overlap test and Marginal for side impact. The NHTSA still gives it five stars overall, though.
The driver assistance package includes Highway Driving Assist, which helps keep a consistent following distance and match the speed of the vehicle in front while driving on a highway. You get adaptive cruise control, lane keeping, and Forward Collision-Avoidance with pedestrian detection. The Blind-Spot View Monitor shows camera feeds right in your gauge cluster, which is pretty slick.