2025 Kia K5 Review: So, the 2025 Kia K5? Yeah, it’s been turning heads since it got a major makeover back in 2021, even changing its name from the Kia Optima. It got this sporty vibe that really stood out, especially with the K5 GT’s beefier engine. But the standard engine? Kinda felt like it didn’t quite match up with its cool exterior. Fast forward to 2025, and the K5 has been jazzed up again, both inside and out, and they’ve even kicked the base engine up a notch for a little extra zoom.
First off, they’ve thrown in these really cool “Star Map” LED daytime running lights up front, a fresh-looking front face, and the GT’s now sporting these sharp fins that swoop up to this neat honeycomb pattern on the lower grille. And they didn’t stop there – the back’s got more of the Star Map vibe with these playful taillights that dip down at the edges and light up below this new trunk lid with a slick integrated spoiler. Wheel-wise, we’re talking 16-inchers on the base LXS model; the EX and GT-Line roll on 18s, and the GT? It’s rocking 19-inch Pirelli P-Zeros.
2025 Kia K5 Exterior
So, just like its sibling in Korea, the U.S. version of the K5 is showing off some new bling with revamped headlights and taillights. They’ve gone and added these amber daytime running lights right into the front end, and they’ve got this cool zigzag pattern going on. Around the back, the taillights got a bit of a growth spurt and now they kind of dive down into the bumper – looks pretty sharp.
And wheels? Yeah, they’ve got you covered with a bunch of new options. The base LXS model is rolling on some 16-inch wheels, but if you step up to the EX and GT-Line, you’ll get these unique 18-inch designs that just pop. Sitting pretty at the top, the GT model isn’t messing around with its 19-inch wheels wrapped in some serious 245/40R-19 Pirelli P-Zero tires. And just for that extra bit of flair, the GT throws in some bright green brake calipers that match the stitching on the seats. How’s that for tying the look together?
2025 Kia K5 Interior
Alright, let’s dive into the cool updates inside the 2025 K5. They’ve really gone to town with the tech and made some sweet tweaks that just make life easier. You can now opt for this flashy 12.0-inch digital gauge cluster, and get this – there’s also a new 12.3-inch touchscreen that looks like it’s straight out of the future, all set behind a sleek piece of curved glass. And guess what? Kia’s decided to make our lives a bit easier by throwing in wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. No more messing with cables! Plus, the screen’s snappier than ever and can even get updates over-the-air.
They didn’t stop there. The controls for the HVAC and the tunes have been streamlined to this cool one-screen, two-function setup. It means you’re just a dial twist away from adjusting the A/C or cranking up the volume. And for 2025, they’ve freshened up the center console, making those cupholders bigger (because, why not?), adding a spot for wireless charging, and popping in USB-C ports both front and back. It’s like they thought of everything to make the ride smoother and more connected.
2025 Kia K5 Price / 2025 Kia K5 release date
So, wondering when you can actually snag one of these updated K5s? Well, Kia’s keeping the exact dates under wraps for now, but the vibe is that they’ll start rolling into dealerships come spring. As for how much you’ll need to fork out, official numbers should drop a bit before they hit the lots. But here’s the kicker – even with all these cool new standard features, it doesn’t look like the price is gonna take a huge leap from the 2024 model’s starting tag of $26,745. Pretty sweet, right?
