Stepping up to the rental car counter, the words “Kia K5” were completely foreign to me. All I knew was the need for a full-size car. Little did I anticipate the experience that awaited. What I discovered was the 2022 Kia K5, a sedan that defied my initial expectations, proving to be surprisingly well-engineered and genuinely enjoyable to drive. Its blend of spaciousness and a sporty feel made it an unexpectedly excellent companion for a long road trip, even if it left a little to be desired in the power department.
Recently, I spent a full day in Nashville, Tennessee, putting the 2022 Kia K5 through its paces. My time with this vehicle generated a comprehensive list of observations, both positive and negative. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the pros and cons I encountered during my Kia K5 Car And Driver experience.
Scott from DriveAndReview with 2022 Kia K5
Posing with the 2022 Kia K5, wondering if reviewing it honestly means kissing future Kia press cars goodbye. But integrity first, right? Let’s dive into the real deal.
Exploring the Highs and Lows: 2022 Kia K5 Pros and Cons
Having recently test-driven the 2022 Kia Forte, I was already aware of Kia’s commitment to producing high-quality vehicles. Therefore, it came as no major shock that my list of positives for the K5 outweighed the negatives. Let’s get straight into what stood out:
Kia K5 Pros: The Highlights
- Unwavering Solid Build Quality: The Kia K5 I drove, with just over 2,000 miles on the odometer, felt exceptionally robust. Throughout my drive, even over rough railroad crossings, it remained rattle-free and remarkably quiet. This level of solidity is impressive and speaks volumes about Kia’s build standards.
- Exceptional Outward Visibility: Merging and navigating through traffic in the K5 was surprisingly effortless thanks to its fantastic outward visibility. Blind spots were minimal, a design achievement that significantly enhances driver confidence and safety. It’s a testament to thoughtful engineering that prioritizes the driver’s line of sight.
- Sporty Driving Position: For a sedan in its class, the Kia K5 offers a driving position that leans towards sporty rather than the typical “squishy sofa” feel. This is a major plus for drivers who appreciate a more engaged and dynamic driving experience. Kia has successfully balanced comfort with a sporty driving dynamic.
- Driver-Centric Dashboard Design: The K5’s dashboard wraps around the driver, creating a cockpit-like environment that enhances the sporty feel. This design element is not just aesthetically pleasing; it makes the driver feel more connected to the car and the driving experience.
- Wide-Opening Front Doors: The front doors of the Kia K5 open to nearly 90 degrees, making entry and exit incredibly easy. This is a practical feature often overlooked, but greatly appreciated, especially in tight parking situations or for passengers with mobility considerations.
- Powerful and Efficient Climate Control: During a particularly hot day, nearing 100°F, the Kia K5’s climate control system proved to be exceptionally powerful. The interior cooled down rapidly after being parked in the sun, ensuring a comfortable cabin environment even in extreme weather.
- Comfortable and Durable Cloth Seats: While opinions may vary, the cloth texture used in the K5’s seats felt remarkably comfortable and robust. It’s a texture that suggests durability and resilience to wear and tear, while still providing a pleasant seating experience.
2022 Kia K5 interior
Inside the 2022 Kia K5, the interior ambiance is surprisingly sporty, a contrast to its more understated exterior. This cabin space feels more engaging than one might expect, consistent with the positive impression noted in the Kia Forte interior as well.
2022 Kia K5 rear end
Admiring the rear design of the 2022 Kia K5, which arguably presents the most stylish rear among new cars this year. Its sleek lines and modern taillights make a strong visual statement.
2022 Kia K5 center console
A closer look at the 2022 Kia K5 center console reveals a design that, while featuring a good amount of plastic, is remarkably solid and quiet. No squeaks or rattles here, just a testament to the K5’s overall build quality.
Kia K5 blind spots
Visibility is key, and the Kia K5 delivers. The minimal blind spots in the 2022 model enhance safety and ease of driving, making lane changes and parking maneuvers more confident.
Kia K5 Cons: Areas for Improvement
- Underwhelming Base Model Aesthetics: Subjectively speaking, the base model Kia K5’s appearance is not particularly striking. While the body lines are well-defined, the smaller wheels and tires give it a somewhat less assertive stance. It lacks the visual punch of higher trims, and while not as polarizing as the 2024 Hyundai Elantra’s design, it could benefit from more visually appealing standard wheels.
- Overly Aggressive Lane Assist System: The adaptive lane assist system in the K5, while functional, is quite intrusive. When activated, it feels overly forceful, almost yanking the steering wheel if you deviate even slightly from the lane markings. While it can be disabled, its default behavior might be too assertive for some drivers.
- Weak Base Engine Performance: The turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine in the base K5 feels underpowered for a car of this size. It’s adequate for city driving and keeping pace with traffic, but it lacks the punch needed for spirited acceleration or confident highway merging. Performance enthusiasts will find it wanting.
- Mediocre Audio System: The standard audio system in the Kia K5 is underwhelming. Despite attempts to adjust settings, the sound quality remained flat and somewhat hollow. Audiophiles will likely find the audio experience disappointing and may consider upgrading.
- Insufficient Lumbar Support in Front Seats: After just a couple of hours of driving, the lack of adequate lumbar support in the front seats became noticeable. Lower back discomfort set in, suggesting that longer drives might become uncomfortable. Improved lumbar support would significantly enhance the driving experience, especially on longer journeys.
2022 Kia K5 base model wheel
The base model wheels on the 2022 Kia K5 appear undersized, impacting the vehicle’s overall stance and visual appeal. Larger wheels would enhance its road presence and aesthetics.
2022 Kia K5 small wheels
These small wheels on the 2022 Kia K5 seem out of proportion to the car’s body size. Upgrading wheel size would not only improve aesthetics but potentially handling as well.
2022 Kia K5 base engine
The 180 horsepower of the base engine in the 2022 Kia K5 might seem sufficient on paper, but real-world driving reveals it to be lacking for a car of this size. More power would significantly improve the driving dynamics.
2022 Kia K5 front seats
The front seats of the 2022 Kia K5 are well-shaped and comfortable, but fall short on lumbar support. Adding more lumbar adjustability would make these seats truly fantastic for long drives.
Compelling Reasons to Consider the Kia K5
Had I not needed a rental car that day in Nashville, the Kia K5 might have remained an unknown entity. This would have been a missed opportunity, as I found the K5 to be a genuinely appealing vehicle overall. In fact, I would seriously contemplate purchasing one if I were in the market for a sedan of this size. Here are two compelling reasons why the K5 might be your next car:
1. Drives Smaller Than Its Size Suggests
Despite being in the same size category as the 2022 Chrysler 300 S, the Kia K5 feels significantly more compact and agile from behind the wheel. While the Chrysler 300 S offered a more traditional, upright driving posture, the K5’s driving position is lower and sportier, contributing to a more nimble feel. This difference in driving dynamics makes the K5 feel like it belongs to a different class altogether.
2022 Kia K5 steering wheel and dashboard
The interior design of the 2022 Kia K5, with its sporty steering wheel and modern dashboard, is surprisingly appealing. It marks a significant evolution from previous Kia interiors, even surpassing the impressions from the Kia Soul reviews.
2022 white Kia K5
Imagine the 2022 white Kia K5 with larger wheels and tires, and a more potent turbo engine. This upgrade would transform it into an ideal daily driver with enhanced performance and style.
If you require the practicality of a large car but prefer the feel of a smaller, more maneuverable vehicle, the Kia K5 is an ideal solution. From the driver’s seat, it’s easy to forget you’re piloting a sizable four-door sedan.
2. Built to Last: Impressive Build Quality
For those who remember Kia’s earlier reputation, the transformation is remarkable. Kia has clearly elevated its engineering and manufacturing standards. The 2022 K5 I tested in Nashville felt exceptionally solid – possibly the most robust-feeling car I’ve ever driven. If long-term reliability and durability are priorities in your sedan search, the K5 deserves serious consideration.
2022 Kia K5 front end
Kia’s current vehicles, exemplified by the 2022 K5 front end, demonstrate a significant leap in build quality and design. The brand has truly stepped up its game in automotive manufacturing.
Reasons Why the Kia K5 Might Not Be For You
To be fair, my criticisms of the 2022 K5 are relatively minor. There were very few aspects that I genuinely disliked, and most of my reservations are quite nitpicky. However, here are two reasons that might give potential buyers pause before choosing a K5:
1. Base Engine Lacks Power
It’s been a while since I’ve driven a car in this segment that felt so noticeably underpowered when accelerating. The turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine in the model I tested produces a modest 180 horsepower. For a car of this size, this output feels insufficient and detracts from the overall driving enjoyment. If you’re considering a K5, opting for the more powerful 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine is highly recommended.
2022 Kia K5 driving experience
Capturing the essence of the 2022 Kia K5 driving experience, or rather the lack thereof in terms of acceleration. If disappointment had a selfie, this would be it. For true disappointment, compare this to the Nissan Versa – then the K5 feels like a speed demon.
2. Base Model Can Appear Economical
While the base model 2022 Kia K5 is well-equipped with modern technology and safety features, its aesthetic presentation, particularly the wheels and tires, leans towards the budget-friendly side. For a car in the $40,000 price range (depending on trim and options), the base model’s wheels and tires seem disproportionately small and basic, almost reminiscent of what you might find on a much less expensive compact car.
base white Kia K5
The base Kia K5 in white, unfortunately, projects a “cheap” vibe, especially noticeable from a short distance. Upgrading to higher trim levels is almost essential to overcome this perception.
It’s important to note that these two drawbacks are primarily associated with the base model. Higher trim levels of the Kia K5 address these concerns effectively, offering more powerful engine options and more visually appealing styling. In fact, when considering the higher trims, it becomes challenging to find significant reasons not to recommend the K5. Personally, I’m genuinely impressed with the Kia K5, just perhaps not in its most basic form.
