It’s honest to say, the Kia K5 wasn’t even on my radar until I found myself at the rental car counter, key fob in hand. I’d simply booked a full-size sedan, and the K5 was what I got. My initial thought? How good could it actually be? Turns out, the Kia K5 is a surprisingly impressive and enjoyable sedan to drive. It offered a sense of spaciousness combined with a sporty feel, making it a genuinely good companion for a longer road trip. However, it wasn’t without its drawbacks, notably in the power department.
Recently, I spent a full day experiencing the 2022 Kia K5 in Nashville, Tennessee, and I’ve gathered a comprehensive list of pros and cons to share.
Delving into the Advantages and Disadvantages of the 2022 Kia K5
Having previously tested the 2022 Kia Forte, I was already aware of Kia’s advancements in vehicle quality. Therefore, it wasn’t a complete shock to discover that the K5 offered more to appreciate than to criticize. Let’s break down the specifics:
Pros
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Exceptional Build Solidness: The Kia K5 I test drove, with just over 2,000 miles on the odometer, impressed me with its remarkable solidity. Throughout my drive, even across rough railroad crossings, the car remained rattle-free and devoid of any unusual noises. This robust build quality contributes to a premium feel not often found in this vehicle class.
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Outstanding Outward Visibility: Merging and navigating through traffic in the K5 was remarkably easy, thanks to its excellent visibility. The design minimizes blind spots, a significant advantage for driver confidence and safety in busy driving environments. Kia has engineered the K5 to provide a clear and expansive view of the surroundings.
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Sporty Driving Position: For a mainstream sedan, the K5 offers a surprisingly sporty driving position. This is a welcome feature for drivers who prefer a more engaged and dynamic feel behind the wheel, rather than the detached, sofa-like experience common in some sedans. Kia has successfully balanced comfort with a sporty driving dynamic.
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Driver-Centric Dashboard Design: The dashboard of the K5 subtly wraps around the driver, creating a cockpit-like sensation. This design element enhances the sporty feel and provides an engaging and intimate driving environment. The layout is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally designed for driver focus.
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Wide Front Door Opening Angle: The front doors of the K5 open to nearly 90 degrees, making entry and exit exceptionally convenient. This thoughtful design detail significantly improves accessibility, particularly in tight parking spaces or for passengers with mobility considerations.
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High-Performance Climate Control: A standout feature of the Kia K5 was its powerful climate control system. On a day approaching 100°F, the interior of the K5 cooled down rapidly after being parked in the sun. This efficient system ensures passenger comfort even in extreme weather conditions, a crucial feature for hot climates.
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Comfortable and Durable Seat Fabric: While subjective, I found the cloth texture used on the K5’s seats to be quite appealing. Though not exceptionally soft, the material felt comfortable and robust, suggesting it could withstand significant wear and tear over time. This practical and comfortable fabric choice is a testament to Kia’s attention to everyday usability.
Cons
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Base Model Aesthetics Lack Appeal: Admittedly subjective, the base model K5’s appearance is not particularly striking. While the body lines are well-defined, the smaller wheels and tires give it a somewhat underwhelming stance. It lacks the visual punch of higher trims and may appear less dynamic compared to competitors.
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Intrusive Lane Assist System: The adaptive lane-keeping assist system in the K5 can be overly assertive. While it can be deactivated, when engaged, it feels overly forceful, abruptly correcting the steering even for minor lane deviations. This aggressive system might be jarring for some drivers and detract from a smooth driving experience.
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Underpowered Base Engine: The turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine in the base K5 feels noticeably weak for a car of this size. While adequate for city driving and typical traffic, it lacks the power for confident acceleration and can feel strained during highway merging or passing. Performance enthusiasts will likely find it underwhelming.
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Subpar Audio System Quality: The standard audio system in the K5 did not deliver a satisfying listening experience. Despite adjustments to settings, the sound quality remained flat and hollow, lacking depth and richness. Audio quality is an area where the base model K5 could see improvement.
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Limited Lumbar Support in Front Seats: The front seats of the K5 lack sufficient lumbar support, which became noticeable after just a couple of hours of driving. This deficiency can lead to lower back discomfort on longer journeys and is a point of ergonomic weakness in the otherwise comfortable interior.
Compelling Reasons to Consider Purchasing a Kia K5
If circumstances hadn’t led me to rent the K5 in Nashville, I might have remained unaware of its capabilities. This would have been a missed opportunity, as the K5 proved to be a genuinely impressive vehicle overall. In fact, it was so appealing that I would seriously consider buying one if I were in the market for a sedan of this size. Here are two key reasons why the K5 should be on your shopping list:
1. Nimble Handling and Compact Feel
Despite its size, which is comparable to vehicles like the Chrysler 300, the K5 drives and feels significantly smaller. Unlike the more traditional and upright driving position of the 300, the K5 offers a lower, more sporty and connected driving experience. This makes it surprisingly agile and easy to maneuver, especially in urban environments.
If you require the space of a larger sedan but prefer the driving dynamics of a smaller car, the Kia K5 provides an excellent compromise. From behind the wheel, it’s easy to forget you’re piloting a substantial four-door sedan.
2. Robust and Durable Construction
For those who remember Kia’s earlier reputation for less-than-stellar build quality, the 2022 K5 is a testament to the brand’s significant progress. The K5 I drove in Nashville felt exceptionally solid, arguably the most structurally sound vehicle I’ve ever experienced. If long-term durability and reliability are priorities in your sedan purchase, the K5 warrants serious consideration.
Valid Reasons to Reconsider a Kia K5 Purchase
In all fairness, my criticisms of the 2022 K5 are relatively minor, and my overall impression was overwhelmingly positive. However, there are a couple of points that might give potential buyers pause, particularly concerning the base model:
1. Base Engine Performance Disappointment
It’s been a while since I’ve driven a sedan of this size that felt so dramatically underpowered when accelerating. The turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine in the test car, producing just 180 horsepower, simply isn’t sufficient for a vehicle of this size. This lack of power significantly dampened the driving enjoyment. If you are considering a K5, opting for the more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is highly recommended.
2. Base Model Visual Presentation
While the base model Kia K5 is well-equipped with modern technology and safety features, its visual presentation, particularly the standard wheels and tires, comes across as underwhelming. For buyers spending a significant amount on a new car, the base K5’s aesthetics might feel too basic. Upgrading to a higher trim level is almost essential to achieve a more premium and visually appealing look.
It’s important to note that these drawbacks are primarily associated with the base model. Higher trim levels of the Kia K5 offer significant improvements and address many of these concerns. In fact, moving beyond the base trim, it becomes increasingly challenging to find compelling reasons not to recommend the K5. Overall, the Kia K5 is a very commendable sedan, particularly in its higher configurations.
