How Reliable Is the 2025 Kia K5? JD Power Weighs In

Kia continued the tradition of midsize sedans with the introduction of the K5 in 2021, and it has maintained a strong performance across its vehicle range since then. Evidence of this success? Kia recently outperformed its South Korean sibling company, Hyundai Motors, in U.S. car sales for the first time in January 2026. This highlights that the brand's "Opposites United" design approach, excellent warranty, and competitive pricing are exactly what budget-friendly American consumers look for when choosing a vehicle.

Kia has introduced thoughtful improvements to the 2025 K5 sedan.To remain competitive against its equally skilled but more technologically advanced Camry and Accord counterparts. Among the updates are a stronger standard engine, a larger 12.3-inch display, and updated exterior design, all at a base price under $30,000.

It all seems positive, but how does the 2025 Kia K5 perform in terms of construction quality and dependability?J.D. PowerHas given a consumer-verified rating of 83/100 to the 2025 K5 sedan, and it earned an 85/100 in terms of quality and dependability, placing it jointly in second position alongside its Hyundai Sonata counterpart.

What's intriguing is that the Sonata and K5 surpass the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, which are jointly in third place with an 82/100 rating. The Nissan Altima, whichcontinues to thrive and remain active in 2026, is leading with a score of 84/100, and we find it somewhat confusing since Consumer Reports lists the Altima asone of the most disappointing vehicles to possess

Read more: These Are the Most Untrustworthy Japanese Vehicles, Per Consumer Reports

The Kia K5 GT is a fire-breather

The Kia K5 also offers an enjoyable driving experience, primarily due to the performance-oriented K5 GT, which delivers more power and torque, accelerates faster to 60 mph, andcorners more aggressively than a BMW 530i. It begins with a front-wheel drive chassis and a modified 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, capable of producing 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque.

A faulty engine is paired with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the frame features a sport-adjusted suspension to provide handling comparable to German competitors. J.D. Power supports this with a driving experience rating of 92/100, placing the Kia K5 among the top-handling vehicles in its class. Additionally, the 290-horsepower turbocharged engine draws attention, propelling the K5 GT to 60 mph from a standstill in 5.2 seconds, as reported.Car and Driverand a quarter-mile time of 13.7 seconds at 106 mph. The maximum speed is 155 mph, sufficient to wave a South Korean flag on the German Autobahn.

However, Kia hasn't overlooked non-GT K5 owners. For 2025, it removed the turbocharged 1.6-liter standard engine, replacing it with a stronger naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder that produces 191 horsepower, an increase of 11 over the previous turbocharged unit. It also delivers 181 pound-feet of torque.

The standard packages come with LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, a 12.3-inch entertainment display, a six-speaker audio system, and keyless entry without a physical key. Our main complaint is Kia's decision to not include all-wheel drive in the K5 GT, though AWD is available with the new base engine in the K5 GT-Line version. Finally, J.D. Power has projected that the K5 sedan will experience lower depreciation over the next three years, resulting in a strong resale value rating of 82/100.

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