2026 Kia K5
2026 Kia K5 — The Kia K5, formerly known as the Kia Optima, is a mid-size car manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates.
Trim: GT-Line
Unverified trim photo — may not match this trim exactly
Other years
2026 Kia K5 snapshot
As of 2026-07
A used 2026 Kia K5 typically asks about $26,400 versus a $28,100 starting MSRP when new — roughly 94% retained. The 2026 Kia K5 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign in our catalog (including Electrical System) and 10 owner complaints. Versus 2025, our catalog shows no material spec or trim changes — the older K5 is often the better used buy unless you need a 2026-only fix.
- Est. used asking
Est. used asking
$26,400
94% of MSRP
- Original MSRP
Original MSRP
$28,100
Base-trim starting price
- NHTSA recalls
NHTSA recalls
1
Campaigns in last refresh
- Owner complaints
Owner complaints
10
Top: Electrical System
- NHTSA overall
NHTSA overall
5/5
Crash-test overall
Methodology: Used asking is a labeled retention estimate from curated MSRP + vehicle age (not an appraisal). Recalls/complaints from NHTSA offline enrich.
Are there recalls or complaint patterns on the 2026 K5?
Yes — 1 recall campaign and 10 owner complaints for the 2026 Kia K5. Scan the list before you write a check.
Recalls
Electrical System
2026-01-27
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles…
Campaign 26V046000
Owner complaints
10 complaints · 1 injuries reported. Top components:
- Electrical System3
- Unknown Or Other3
- Engine2
- Engine and Engine Cooling1
- Lane Departure1
Counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defect rates. Source: NHTSA complaints.
Video
Embedded from YouTube. We do not host or claim ownership of this video.
2026 Kia K5 -- What’s NEW for 2026 for this VALUE KING? (Buy over Camry?)
Video by Car Confections · Watch on YouTube
Photos
Is 2026 worth more than 2025?
Usually no — our catalog shows no material spec or trim lineup changes vs the 2025 K5. For used shopping, the older year is often the better value unless you need a specific fix or feature from 2026.
How much does a used 2026 K5 cost vs original MSRP?
Expect about $26,400 in typical used asking against a $28,100 starting MSRP — roughly 94% retained on our labeled retention estimate. Use that gap to decide whether a newer year is worth the jump.
- Original MSRP
- $28,100
- Published starting (base-trim) MSRP when new.
- Est. used asking
- $26,400
- Estimated typical used asking from a mass-market retention curve — not a live appraisal or guaranteed sale price. As of 2026-07.
Retains about 94% of MSRP
~$1,700 below MSRP
Opens Edmunds. We may earn a referral commission if you use their tools — it doesn't change the price you see. Figures above are model-year starting MSRP and typical asking, not a guaranteed sale price for a specific VIN.
What should a used buyer know about the 2026 K5?
The 2026 Kia K5 is the newest year in our catalog — start here for current specs, then check older years if you want to save money. The 2026 Kia K5 continues this nameplate in the motomediax catalog. The Kia K5, formerly known as the Kia Optima, is a mid-size car manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second-generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze and Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States, Canada, Malaysia and the Middle East, where the Optima name was retained until the 2021 model year. The K5 name is used for all markets since the introduction of the fifth generation in 2019. NHTSA safety ratings for a representative 2026 configuration (2026 KIA K5 4 DR N/A AWD) include an overall score of 5/5, front crash 4/5, side crash 5/5, and rollover 4/5. Rated configurations include: 2026 KIA K5 4 DR N/A AWD; 2026 KIA K5 4 DR N/A FWD.
- 1 NHTSA recall
- NHTSA overall safety 5/5
- Front crash 4/5
- Side crash 5/5
- Rollover 4/5
- 2 NHTSA-rated configurations
- EPA combined 30 mpg
Overview adapted from Wikipedia.
Trim
How does the 2026 stack up on paper?
At a glance: 180 hp, 31 mpg combined. Dig into mechanicals and efficiency below.
Horsepower
180 hp
Combined MPG
31 mpg
What will fuel or charging roughly cost?
Adjust your miles and local energy price for the 2026 selected trim (31 mpg combined). Energy only — not insurance, tires, or a VIN appraisal.
Per year
$1,355
5-year energy
$6,774
- Powertrain
- Gas
- Based on
- 31 mpg combined
- Your inputs
- 12,000 mi/yr · $3.50/gal · 5-year horizon
Compare signal only — local rates and driving mix will differ.
What powertrain and drivetrain does it use?
Mechanical basics for the selected trim — engine, transmission, and drive type.
- Engine
- 1.6L Turbo I4
- Drivetrain
- FWD
- Fuel type
- Regular Gasoline
How big is it, and what can it carry?
Exterior size, seating, cargo, and towing figures when we have them.
- Seating
- 5
How efficient is this year on fuel or charge?
EPA-style efficiency and range fields from our catalog enrich — useful for YoY compares.
- City MPG
- 26
- Highway MPG
- 37
- Combined MPG
- 31
Efficiency figures are curated / EPA-oriented. Verify on FuelEconomy.gov.
What are the NHTSA crash ratings?
Overall and category scores when NHTSA published them for a representative config.
- Overall
- 5 / 5
- Front crash
- 4 / 5
- Side crash
- 5 / 5
- Rollover
- 4 / 5
- Rated configuration
- 2026 KIA K5 4 DR N/A AWD
Safety from NHTSA; dimensions from vPIC where available.
Trim compare
Pick two trims and scan the gaps that matter — power, efficiency, and capability.
| Spec | GT-Line | GT |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 180 hp | 290 hp |
| 0–60 | — | 5.1 s |
| Combined MPG | 31 | 27 |
| Engine | 1.6L Turbo I4 | 2.5L Turbo I4 |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD / AWD |
| Seating | 5 | 5 |
Trim index
| Trim | HP | Torque | 0–60 | MPG | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 180 | — | — | 31 | FWD | |
| 290 | — | 5.1s | 27 | FWD / AWD |