The Kia K5 sedan manages to survive in a world full of crossovers, SUVs, and pickup trucks. The model has just undergone a refresh which brought it several visual tweaks and tech updates, but nothing radical. The updated K5 will first be available on the local market before going worldwide, North America included. But its days on the market are numbered.
After almost four years on the market, the fifth-generation former Optima/current K5 has finally been updated. The model received design cues that bring it a little closer to what the electric lineup from Kia comes with, but nothing extreme. The Optima replacement received new headlights and taillight that expand toward the fenders, highlighting the robust proportions of the sedan.
There are new wheels ranging from 16 to 19 inches, while customers can also choose one of the new body paint options, Wolf Gray and Moonscape Matte Grey.
A panoramic curved display showed up on board the facelifted Kia K5. It integrates the 12.3-inch instrument cluster and the touchscreen of the same size. There is also a new color head-up display.
The infotainment system received a new menu and is compatible with over-the-air updates, remote control authentication system, and music streaming services. The K5 received a 12-speaker premium sound system from Krell.
A wireless charging pad and newly designed controls for the air conditioning found room in the center console. Kia came up with a smaller rotary gear shifter.
Photo: Kia
Customers have three more color options to choose from for the upholstery: Sand, Martian Brown, and Black. Meanwhile, the Black Fit optional package brings 19-inch wheels, a dark finish for the mirror caps, rear diffuser, and tailpipes, but also a black suede headliner on board.
The K5 got a revised suspension setup for better ride comfort and improved sound insulation.
The engine lineup for the Korean market starts with a 2.0-liter LPi (Liquid Propane Injection) with 144 horsepower (146 PS), followed by the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter MPi engine with 158 horsepower (160 PS).
Upper in the range, there is the turbocharged 1.6-liter T-GDi with 178 horsepower (180 PS). The range-topping variant is the one powered by a hybrid system, which integrates a 2.0-liter engine and an electric motor for a total of 192 horsepower (195 PS).
Customers can already preorder the car in Korea. Prices start at KRW 27.84 million, the equivalent of $20,520.
In an auto industry where crossovers, SUVs, and trucks make the rules, Kia is stubborn with the K5 sedan, despite plunging sales figures. The Korean carmaker only delivered 66,298 units in 2022, which is down 28 percent from 2021. The fate of the K5 is doomed. The company is reportedly killing the model at the end of the fifth generation, which should be around 2027.
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