As family sedans go, the 2022 Kia K5 is pretty impressive, with sleek styling and a feature-rich interior that belies its sub-$25,000 starting price. For 2022, the K5’s price has increased just slightly, tacking on an additional $100 to the LX and LXS trims and $500 to the GT-Line, EX, and GT.
Four of the five trims use the same 180-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The GT gets a 290-hp turbocharged 2.5-liter unit. Opt for the LXS or GT-Line trims, and you can have your K5 with all-wheel drive.
For 2022, the Kia K5 sedan is essentially a carryover model, with just a few changes made to some standard and optional equipment. However, not everyone will be happy with all the changes, especially those who live in the Northeast and Midwest. For example, while competitors such as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Altima offer heated front seats on most trims, the K5 doesn’t offer them until you reach the GT-Line AWD.
Similarly, the excellent Bose audio system is only offered on trims with front-wheel drive, meaning if you’re an audiophile living where it regularly snows, you’ll have to go with a car like the Subaru Legacy Limited to get what you want.
Petty criticism aside, there is much to like about the K5. Its numerous trims give buyers multiple ways to get the features, styling, and performance they want, while its standard 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty ensures years of worry-free driving.
2022 Kia K5 LX (Starting at $23,690)
Considering its price, the 2022 Kia K5 LX is surprisingly well-equipped.
Starting with the basics, the LX includes power windows with driver’s side one-touch up/down, power door locks with keyless remote entry, variable intermittent wipers, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and nine airbags, including a driver’s knee airbag.
Unique to the LX is Idle Stop & Go, which shuts off the engine when the K5 comes to a stop and then restarts when you move your foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator. If you’re one of the many who find the technology annoying and don’t want to press a button to deactivate it every time you drive, maybe moving up the LXS is worth the extra $1,000.
In the cabin, you’ll find cloth seating covering 6-way manually adjustable driver and passenger seats. Dual-zone automatic climate control keeps everyone comfortable, while acoustic laminated windshield glass keeps wind and road noise to a minimum. Keeping the driver informed is a 4.2-inch digital trip computer slotted between the speedometer and tachometer. Dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, front and rear door bottle holders, and front seatback storage pockets are unexpected bonuses.
The K5’s standard audio system includes six speakers paired with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment setup with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, HD Radio, and a rear backup camera. In addition, Kia provides two USB ports (one for charging and one for data) plus a 12-volt socket in the front console.
Step outside the K5 LX, and you’ll find 16-inch alloy wheels, power heated side mirrors, automatic on/off LED headlights, LED daytime running lights (DRL), and body-colored door handles and mirror caps.
The K5 is big on safety, with numerous features and driver assists. Hill-start assist (keeps the vehicle from rolling backward when you remove your foot from the accelerator), electronic traction and stability control, and a tire-pressure monitor are standard.
Moving up the technology ladder, we find automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, a driver attention monitor, lane-keeping assist, and lane-departure warning. Kia’s Lane Following Assist tracks the road’s painted line markers and, should the K5 begin to wander off course, helps nudge the vehicle back into its lane. Lead Vehicle Departure Alert signals when the car in front has moved, but you haven’t.
Automatic high-beam headlights illuminate the dark but will automatically dim when sensing approaching traffic. In addition, the K5’s Rear Occupant Alert system monitors the opening and closing of the rear doors, then reminds the driver to be sure everyone has exited the back seat.
Every LX also includes Kia’s Drive Mode Select that allows the driver to choose between various settings, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, and Sport + with launch control.
Options for the LX are limited to two extra-cost paint colors (Passion Red and Glacial White) and dealer add-ons such as cargo hooks, remote start, carpeted floor mats, and puddle lights.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Kia K5 LX sells for $24,685. With no money down on a 60-month loan at 3% financing, the LX’s monthly payment comes to $444. Find a 2022 Kia K5 LX for sale
2022 Kia K5 LX includes:
- Automatic emergency braking – Can slow or even stop the car when detecting a person or vehicle in the K5’s path. An audible and visual warning alerts the driver, giving them time to hit the brakes before the system takes control.
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – Streaming from your smartphone just got easier, with no need for a USB port or an annoying wire to get in your way.
- Dual-zone automatic climate control – Allows individual temperature settings for the driver and front-seat passenger.
- Heated outside mirrors – Activates with the rear window defroster, helping to keep frost and snow from building up on the side mirrors.
2022 Kia K5 LXS ($24,690)
The LXS builds off the LX, adding a Smart Key proximity key fob that allows the doors to open and the car to start without the need to have the fob in hand. Smart Key also works with the power-operated trunk. Stand behind the K5 for a few moments with the fob in your possession, and the trunk lid automatically rises.
The rear seats feature adjustable headrests and a folding center armrest, along with a 60/40 split-folding seatback, and in the rear console, two USB charging ports.
Adding to the LX’s driver-assist roster, the LXS gains a blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safe Exit Assist. These three additions alone make the LXS the logical choice over the LX.
Optional all-wheel drive adds another $1,800 to the LXS’ bottom line, bringing with it 18-inch alloy wheels, a Snow mode for the Drive Mode Select, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Like the LX, the LXS has no factory options packages.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Kia K5 LXS cost $25,685. On a 60-month loan with no money down and 3% financing, the monthly payment comes to $462, just $18 more each month over the LX. Find a 2022 Kia K5 LXS for sale
2022 Kia K5 LXS includes:
- Blind-spot monitor – Monitors the K5’s blind spots and alerts the driver when a vehicle is approaching or might be at risk of collision when changing lanes.
- Smart Key – This proximity key fob allows you to unlock the car by pulling on the door handle, starting the vehicle with a push of a button, and opening the trunk simply by standing next to it.
- Safe Exit Assist – Uses radar to monitor and warn exiting passengers of approaching traffic.
- Available all-wheel drive – So helpful in places where snow and ice are a regular part of daily life. The system includes a Snow mode for better traction on wet and slippery surfaces.
2022 Kia K5 GT-Line ($26,090)
The GT-Line moves the K5 into the sporty realm of family sedans, putting it in the same league as the Honda Accord Sport and Toyota Camry TRD. However, despite its racy good looks, the GT-Line’s engine, transmission, steering setup, and suspension are identical to that of the LXS.
New for 2022, the GT-Line gains as standard Kia’s 10.25-inch touchscreen navigation and infotainment system with expanded telematics and built-in Wi-Fi hotspot. Also new is a drop-in wireless charging pad. Unfortunately, lost in the deal is the ability to wirelessly stream Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, requiring a little white umbilical cord to be attached.
Also included in the GT-Line upgrade are black side mirrors, sport bumpers, GT front grille, a black rear spoiler, LED front fog lights and rear taillights, and 18-inch gloss black alloy wheels.
Upgrades for the cabin include a single-touch up/down front passenger window, an 8-way power driver’s seat with 2-way power lumbar support, cloth and Syntex upholstery with GT-Line logo, and a D-shaped sport steering wheel.
The GT-Line AWD adds heated front seats and a Snow mode.
The optional Premium package adds more driver assists, including adaptive cruise control with stop/go function, and forward collision warning with cyclist detection. In addition, Kia’s Junction Turning technology can halt the vehicle if it senses danger when making a cross-lane turn. At the same time, the Highway Driving Assist can now use the navigation maps to navigate when in semi-autonomous driving mode.
Also included in the Premium package is a panoramic glass sunroof, LED projector headlights, LED interior lighting, plus gloss black B-pillar trim and shark-fin antenna.
On the GT-Line AWD, the Premium package gains a heated steering wheel.
With destination fee, the 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line comes to $27,085. Assuming a zero down payment on a 60-month loan at 3%, the GT-Line’s monthly payment comes to $487. That’s roughly $25 more each month over the LXS. Find a 2022 Kia K5 GT-Line for sale
2022 Kia K5 GT-Line includes:
- 18-inch gloss black wheels – Look great and hold large 18-inch tires that improve handling and grip.
- 10.25-inch navigation upgrade – The standard navigation system brings a larger touch screen, telematics, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.
- Drop-in wireless charge pad – Located in the front console, this clever design allows for wireless smartphone charging while preventing the phone from sliding around when cornering or braking.
- 8-way power driver’s seat – Allows the driver to find the perfect seating position and includes power lumbar support.
2022 Kia K5 EX ($28,590)
The EX is the trim that brings the K5 to near-luxury car status while undercutting similarly equipped premium sedans by tens of thousands of dollars.
Building off the LXS, the EX adds a panoramic glass sunroof, 18-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, and LED interior lighting.
A 10.25-inch infotainment touch screen with navigation is standard, as is faux leather seating, a 10-way power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and rear-seat air vents.
The EX Premium package adds a heated steering wheel, 2-position driver’s seat memory, Safe Exit Assist, a 10-way power passenger seat with 2-way power lumbar support, 12-speaker Bose Premium audio, and a 360-degree surround-view monitor.
The Premium package includes navigation-based adaptive cruise control with stop/go function, forward-collision avoidance with cyclist detection, Junction Turning, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist (See GT-Line Premium package for more details).
Rounding out the package are front parking sensors, one-touch up/down rear windows, power-folding side mirrors, and rear automatic emergency braking.
With the $995 destination fee, the 2022 Kia K5 EX costs $29,585. With no money down, the monthly payment on a 60-month loan at 3% comes to $532. Find a 2022 Kia K5 EX for sale
2022 Kia K5 EX includes:
- Heated and ventilated front seats – Help keep occupants cool in summer and warm in the winter.
- Panoramic glass sunroof – Covers both rows and can be vented or fully opened. Includes a power sunshade to block out the sun when necessary.
- Rear parking sensors – Alerts the driver when the K5 is getting too close to a stationary object behind the vehicle.
- Available Bose audio – The 12-speaker Bose audio is a must for music lovers.
2022 Kia K5 GT ($31,090)
At the top of the K5 trim range is the GT, a performance sedan masquerading as a family car.
The GT’s standard engine is a 290-horsepower turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder. Power flows to the front wheels via a dual-clutch 8-speed automatic. Sadly, all-wheel drive is not available on this trim.
The GT includes a sport suspension, larger brakes with GT calipers, quad-tip dual exhaust, and 19-inch gloss-black alloy wheels in line with its performance aspirations.
The GT’s standard equipment list builds off the GT-Line to include a panoramic sunroof, D-shaped sport steering wheel with shift paddles, GT sport-bolstered heated front seats, and rear air vents.
The optional GT1 package is nearly identical to the EX Premium package but adds rear parking sensors, ventilated front seats, and a leather-wrapped shift knob.
With destination, the K5 GT comes to $32,085. With no money down, the monthly payment on a 60-month loan at 3% comes to $577. That’s $45 more each month than the EX and $90 more than the GT-Line. Find a 2022 Kia K5 GT for sale
2022 Kia K5 GT includes:
- Sport suspension and steering – Custom-tuned to enhance the K5’s steering and handling capabilities without ruining its comfortable ride.
- 2.5-liter turbocharged engine – With 290-horsepower on tap, this engine helps the K5 GT sprint to 60 mph in just over 5 seconds.
- Bolstered sport seats – Help keep occupants firmly planted during high-speed maneuvers.
