While sedan sales in the USA have softened a bit in the last decade or so, the Kia K5 continues to sell just over 3,000 copies a month pretty consistently. In its fifth generation since the 2021 model year, they’ve given it a healthy freshening up for the 2025 models coming soon.
As with most refresh programs it gets a facelift and a booty lift that take its already sharp styling skills to the next step. Up front is a freshly interpreted grille with new standard LEF headlights with a Star Map” daytime signature that reach further down into the front bumper fascia which is also new as seen on the GT Kia is showing us for now.
At the rear is a new lower bumper fascia too which hammers the sporty notes a little louder and accommodates a sharper set of LED taillights that like the headlights up front reach down with a more vertical line of the “Star Map” theme. At the bottom is a healthier set of exhaust finishers, at least on the GT model.
New alloy wheel designs are rolled out across the lineup from the base LXS with 16-inch and then 18-inchers on the EX and GT-Line unique to each. The GT shown gets two different 19-inch wheel designs depending on the packaging you choose. The gloss black ones and green calipers you see here are part of the GT1 package.
A look inside shows us a new dash design that incorporates the brand’s full width one piece curved cockpit display scheme which features a dual set of 12.3” screens – one for the instrument cluster and the other for the infotainment center. It’s a nice setup that we have come to like in most all Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models we’ve play with.
The center stack gets a new climate control setup in addition to a revised console below that has more space for your devices and most importantly larger cup holder. The rest of the interior gets also little changes in colors and finishes but is for the most part carried over from 2024.
New standard features are significantly bolstered for the mid-level EX trim grade to provide more value and appeal. These include an upgrade Bose audio system, 10-way powered driver’s seat, and a heated steering wheel.
The big news for 2025 is the new base powertrain which steps back from the complex and edgy to a simpler setup. Gone is the high strung 1.6-liter turbo and in is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four which ups output by 11 to now a standard 191 horsepower. It does have 14 pound less torque at 181 but will make the in the rabid anti-turbo crowd happy. It comes standard with an 8-speed automatic.
If you choose the GT the 290 horsepower 2.5-liter turbo and its 8-speed dual clutch automatic remain unchanged.
Other notable updates are an expanded array of passive aggressive driver assistance features that help you stay in your lane and off the bumpers of your fellow classmates. The 2025 Kia K5 for North America will continue to be sourced from the brand’s West Point, Georgia assembly plant and will be along later this year. Pricing and final specs like mpg ratings will be along closer to that time.
