Four trims make up the 2024 K5 trim range: LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. The first three come with a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 180 hp and 195 lb.-ft. of torque, but the GT alone is fortified with a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder making 290 hp and 311 lb.-ft. of torque. While all trims have an eight-speed automatic transmission, the GT gets a superior wet dual-clutch version for ultra-pleasing performance. Front-wheel drive is the default, but the GT-Line is eligible for traction-enhancing all-wheel drive.
As officially determined by the EPA, the LXS, GT-Line, and EX all achieve an estimated 27 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. The GT-Line with AWD, though, returns 25 city/33 highway, while the higher-output GT dips to 24 city/32 highway.
The LXS has an abundance of features – especially considering that it’s the base trim. The highlights are proximity keyless entry, automatic LED headlights, heated side mirrors, remote start, dual-zone automatic climate control, push-button ignition, and three USB charging ports. Its infotainment system, housed within an 8-inch touchscreen, brings together Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker sound system, and Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming.
The LXS also gets the Kia Drive Wise safety technology bundle. Its features assist the driver with forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, rear occupant alert, and safe exit assist.
For those craving something more athletic, the GT-Line introduces larger wheels with Pirelli P-ZERO tires, LED fog lights, exclusive exterior styling elements, and a rear spoiler. Beyond that, it gets heated front seats (power-adjustable for the driver), combination cloth and synthetic-leather upholstery with GT-Line logos, a leather-wrapped flat-bottomed steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, and these infotainment improvements: a 10.25-inch touchscreen, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Kia Connect. With the AWD drivetrain, the GT-Line will gain a heated steering wheel and a drive mode for snowy conditions. Projector-type LED headlights are optional, along with an enhanced forward collision system featuring cyclist and junction turning detection and adaptive cruise control with Highway Driving Assist.
The EX doesn’t have the GT-Line’s sportier elements, but it adds ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof, full synthetic-leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, another USB charging port, rear AC vents, and rear parking sensors. Like the GT-Line, the EX qualifies for the advanced forward collision and adaptive cruise control systems.
This trim can also be optioned with front parking sensors, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, a surround-view monitor, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and safe exit assist with power rear child-safety locks. Projector-type LED headlights are also available, as well as power-folding side mirrors, a power-adjustable front passenger’s seat, position memory for the side mirrors and driver’s seat, active sound control, a 12-speaker Bose audio system, and a heated steering wheel.
The GT builds off the GT-Line with a more powerful engine, a quad-tip exhaust, a sport-tuned suspension, specialized brake calipers, heated sport-bolstered front seats, and logo-stamped simulated-leather upholstery. This range-topping trim is also eligible for ventilated front seats and a leather-wrapped shift knob, as well as projector-type LED headlights, power-folding side mirrors, a power front passenger’s seat, position memory for the side mirrors and driver’s seat, active sound control, a Bose sound system (12 speakers), a heated steering wheel, and some driver-assist technologies (advanced forward collision, adaptive cruise control, front parking sensors, reverse parking collision-avoidance assist, a surround-view monitor, navigation-based adaptive cruise control, and safe exit assist with power rear child-safety locks).