Since the Kia K5 first graced our roads for the 2021 model year, it has continuously offered an affordable blend of performance prowess, a classy interior, and sporty models that punch way above their paygrade. Now we are in 2026, and the Kia K5 and its sportiest number, the Kia K5 GT, are still affordably priced, offer a lot of horsepower under the hood, and can be driven in a manner more befitting of a pricey sports sedan.
This is the ultimate guide to the 2026 Kia K5 GT, and covers 2026 pricing, engine specifications and performance, what you get as standard, the steering and handling setup, what is included inside, and how the 2026 Kia K5 differs from the Kia K5 2025 model year.
2026 Kia K5 Pricing, Engine, And Performance
This year’s Kia K5 lineup consists of five trims: the LXS FWD, the GT-Line FWD, the GT-Line AWD, the GT, and the EX. Prices start at $27,490 for the base-trim LXS FWD, and top out at $34,990 for the top-tier EX. The full 2026 Kia K5 lineup includes:
- 2026 Kia K5 LXS FWD. MSRP: $27,490.
- 2026 Kia K5 GT-Line FWD. MSRP: $28,490.
- 2026 Kia K5 GT-Line AWD. MSRP: $30,090.
- 2026 Kia K5 GT. MSRP: $33,590.
- 2026 Kia K5 EX. MSRP: $34,990.
At the heart of the 2026 Kia K5 lineup, there are two inline-four engines available. At the base level and into the mid-range, the K5 comes equipped with a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four with direct injection. This engine option is found under the hood of the LXS, GT-Line, and EX trims, and is rated at 191 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque.
Power is sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the front two wheels (as standard) or all four wheels for the GT-Line AWD and the EX. Power isn’t what you’d call dramatic, but according to Kia, you can achieve 26 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with this setup. So, ideal for everyday driving. Then you have the far more powerful engine for the Kia K5 GT.
2026 Kia K5 GT Engine Specifications, Transmission, And Power
This year’s Kia K5 GT is the most powerful model in the lineup and comes equipped with a 2.5-liter Smartstream G2.5T DOHC turbo-four. It boasts direct injection, a twin-scroll turbo integrated into the exhaust manifold, and an intercooling system that is proving itself very reliable and keeping power staunch after constant use. You also get very sporty quad-tip dual exhausts for an athletic look at the rear.
|
Spec |
2026 Kia K5 GT |
|---|---|
|
Engine |
2.5-Liter Turbocharged Inline-Four |
|
Horsepower |
290 Horsepower @ 5,800 rpm |
|
Torque |
311 LB-FT @ 1,650 rpm |
Power is sent through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission (DCT) to the front two wheels. Along with the extra power, the Kia K5 GT benefits from a wet dual-clutch that is designed to handle the far higher torque and provides much cleaner shifts compared to the transmission in the other 2026 K5 models.
Paddle shifters are mounted behind the steering wheel for an athletic feel, and four drive modes mean you can tailor how to drive the sportiest number of this year’s K5 lineup to how you want it. The K5 GT’s drive modes include Normal, Sport, Sport+, and Custom. Normal mode is for everyday driving and gets you the best mpg ratings; Sport mode tightens up handling and sharpens throttle responses; Sport+ mode gives you more aggressive shifting from the transmission, and Custom mode lets you dial everything in the way you want the K5 GT to respond.
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2026 Kia K5 GT Handling And Driving Experience
What the Kia K5 GT brings to the lineup is a clear distinction between the everyday performance of the rest of the K5s. Steering is dialed in stiffer, sprint times are a lot quicker, throttle responses are perkier, and suspension is a lot more athletic. Where most of the 2026 Kia K5 lineup has carved out a niche as an affordable yet very stylish everyday mid-sized sedan, the Kia K5 GT takes things a lot further and is undoubtedly the most visceral of the pack in all senses of the word.
Kia K5 GT Acceleration And Efficiency
The 2026 Kia K5 models equipped with the naturally aspirated inline-four have been clocked hitting 60 mph in just shy of eight seconds, which, for a relatively non-sporty sedan that tips the scales at between 3,230 and 3,395 pounds and boasts an engine with less than 200 ponies, could be a lot worse.
However, the turbocharged motivation of the K5 GT’s engine improves things vastly. Rest-to-60 times have been recorded at a rather impressive 5.2 seconds, which makes it faster than its similarly-priced rivals like the 2026 Hyundai Sonata N Line (5.3 seconds), the Subaru Legacy Sport (6.1 seconds), the Honda Accord Hybrid (6.6 seconds), and the AWD version of the Nissan Altima (7.4 seconds). The turbo also gives you a more punchy feel underfoot as well, so the increase in price for the GT feels worth it in the sprints and pulling away from the lights.
The Kia K5 GT is impressively fast, with the sprint to 60 mph coming in just 5.2 seconds. We verified this speed at TopSpeed headquarters, and Car & Driver got the same result when they tested the GT as well.
Top Speed Driven Review of the Kia K5 GT by Phillipe Daix
The Kia K5 GT has a limited top speed of 155 mph, while there are some reports of drivers removing the governor and getting a lot more out of it. However, where the Kia K5 GT falls behind its other K5 counterparts is in fuel economy. While the most fuel-efficient naturally-aspirated models can achieve an EPA-estimated 30 mpg, the turbocharged GT can only achieve 27 combined mpg (23 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway). This isn’t a huge price to pay for the vastly more powerful turbo-four, though, and according to FuelEconomy.gov, it will still only cost you $1,550 a year for gas for the K5 GT compared to $1,400 a year to fill up the non-turbo models.
Suspension, Brakes, And Steering
The most apparent aspect of the K5 GT that differs from the wider K5 lineup, aside from the engine, is the chassis tuning. While most of the 2026 Kia K5 lineup is built for ride comfort, the GT gets sport-specific tweaks designed to handle the higher torque and cornering loads. The wide-track suspension gets a sporty glow-up; up front, a MacPherson strut layout is retuned with firmer spring rates and monotube dampers that help with quicker steering changes. The multi-link rear suspension is also stiffened to give you less lateral roll in sweeping corners, while structural reinforcements and revised bushing stiffness sharpen feedback behind the wheel.
Braking hardware also gets a noticeable step up from the rest of the K5 lineup. Where most non-GT K5 models wear 12-inch ventilated front rotors and 11.2-inch rear rotors, the GT gets larger 13.6-inch vented front discs, 12.8-inch rear discs, and neon green calipers. Paired with an ABS calibrated for performance use, the K5 GT is very stable leading up to fast corners and can be brought to a stop, from 70 mph to a standstill, in a reported 163 feet. In other words, for a sedan that isn’t priced like some of the market’s go-to sports sedans (think 3 Series), the K5 GT is very poised in the corners and when you want to change direction fast.
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Kia K5 GT Interior And Technology
Like most aspects of the Kia K5 and Kia K5 GT, the interior build also does well for everyday comfort and athletic cues above its paygrade. The most luxurious K5 model is by far the K5 EX, which comes equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, soft-touch surfaces, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a Bose Premium sound system.
Where the 2026 Kia K5 GT stands out is in its semi-luxurious appointments, but with a lot more emphasis on the athletic side of driving. The same panoramic sunroof for the EX is available for the GT, and you get sport-bolstered and leather-accent seats as standard; a GT D-shaped steering wheel sits in the place of the standard-fit one, and distinct GT badging can be found on the seats and on the welcome screen.
|
Headroom |
Shoulder Room |
Hip Room |
Legroom |
Cargo Capacity |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Front/Rear |
38.4 Inches / 37.4 Inches |
58 Inches / 56.1 Inches |
56.6 Inches / 56.6 Inches |
46.1 Inches / 35.2 Inches |
15.6 Cubic Feet |
Dual-zone climate control is standard fare; soft-touch materials, neon contrast stitching, and metallic trim are included, and aluminum-style pedals all make it worthy of its grand touring namesake.
Infotainment And Connectivity Features
The 2026 Kia K5 GT is equipped with most of what you’ll need for long trips and is equipped as standard with a wide, high-res 12.3-inch touchscreen display, which takes up most of the center of the dash. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are also standard-fit; voice recognition and Bluetooth connectivity are also included, and multiple USB-C ports are available around the cabin.
Paired with the central display is a digital 4.2-inch instrument cluster, which includes your tacho and speedo. Plus, the K5 GT also gets SiriusXM satellite radio and a wireless charging pad forward of the shifter. In all, for just shy of $34,000, the K5 GT does come equipped with a lot to make life easier and more comfortable on the road.
Safety And Driver Assistance Systems
If you are looking for a family sedan that doubles up as a toy, the new GT also has you covered. According to the NHTSA, the 2026 Kia K5 lineup has a 5-star overall safety rating. The IIHS also gives it a 4 out of 5-star front crash protection rating, a 4 out of 5-star rollover resistance rating, and a 5-star side crash protection rating.
Alongside the relatively proven, solid build, the Kia K5 2026 model boasts a plethora of safety and driver assistance technology that takes some of the risk out of the commute. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection helps to mitigate forward crashes, while Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist covers the blind spots. Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist helps to detect and brake for traffic behind you when you’re reversing, and Lane Following Assist helps you stay between the lines on long highway journeys. You also get Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, which helps to maintain a set distance from other vehicles ahead of you on the highway.
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Kia K5 2025 Trims And Features
If the higher prices of a new Kia K5 may be a little out of reach, we still have the Kia K5 2025 lineup. Prices today range from $26,900 for the base trim to $34,200 for the top trim. The trim levels are the same as the 2026 lineup, and except for a few minor tweaks, Kia hasn’t done much to change the K5 over the last year.
You get the same 191-horsepower base engine as you do in the 2026 K5, and the same turbo-four with the same horsepower rating sits under the hood of the 2025 Kia K5 GT. The same design cues are in play; the same sloping fastback is there, and you still get all the appointments per trim as you would in the 2026 lineup.
There have been some updates in the shape of tighter body lines, different LED lights, and new wheel options, but if it is the interior and performance specifications you are interested in, both model years are very comparable. The real difference is that the Kia K5 2025 offering is now slightly cheaper than this year’s lineup.
The K5 GT-Line Option: Upgrades And Differences
If just shy of $34,000 for the 2025 Kia K5 GT is still a little out of budget, there is also the Kia K5 GT-Line to consider. Starting prices are some $5,000 less, but visually, it effectively mirrors the sportiest number. You still get gloss-black exterior accents, sport-inspired fascias, and the D-shaped steering wheel.
The big difference is in how it rides and the engine choice, with the 2.5-liter naturally aspirated inline-four and conventional eight-speed auto box in place. Though it may be less powerful, for everyday driving and more manageable power, the K5 GT-Line’s smooth delivery and lower costs may make more sense than the GT’s turbocharged punch.
Crucially, especially for those who live in wetter parts of the country, the GT-Line is available with all-wheel drive, while the GT is not. It will cost just south of $31,000, and, despite the K5 GT’s raucous feel for a FWD sedan, you will arguably get the traction advantage that can outweigh the benefits of the turbo engine. Opt for the AWD, add in sports seats, upgraded interior trim, and premium tech packages, and the Kia K5 GT-Line becomes an aggressive-looking sedan with everyday performance potential and wet-weather prowess without going overboard into full sport-sedan territory.
Kia K5 GT Optional Packages
While the 2026 Kia K5 GT starts at $33,590 (excluding destination), and is exceptionally well-equipped as standard, Kia also offers the GT1 Package for an extra $4,400. The GT1 Package is what you should choose if you want the sporty GT experience blended with the highest-level additions. This GT1 Package comes with:
- 12.3-Inch fully digital instrument cluster
- Smartphone Digital Key 2.0
- Bose Premium audio system
- Ventilated front seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Active Sound Design
- 360° surround view monitor
- Side parking sensors
- Power windows w/ one-touch auto up/down
Sources: Kia, FuelEconomy.gov, NHTSA, and IIHS