DecodedCars2026 Kia K5
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Large Cars
- Engines
- 2.5L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 30 combined · 26 city / 37 hwy
- Length
- –
- Curb weight
- –
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 30 MPG combined — 16% better than the average 2026 large car (25.9 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 3 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Kia K5 is a large car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 4-cyl and 2.5L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 30 MPG combined (26 city / 37 highway), 16% better than the 2026 large car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,250 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 14 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 K5 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 K5 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Hwasung, Gyeonggi Province
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2026 K5 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K5 w/Stop-Start | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 37 / 30 | +16% | $2,250 | 298 |
| K5 | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 / 36 / 29 | +12% | $2,300 | 310 |
| K5 AWD | 2.5L 4-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 24 / 33 / 27 | +4% | $2,500 | 329 |
| K5 | 2.5L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (AM-S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 33 / 27 | +4% | $2,500 | 331 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Kia K5.
Similar 2026 large cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kia K5 (this car) | 30 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Accord | 48 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2026 Dodge Charger | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Hyundai Sonata | 51 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel · Jan 26, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V046000 · 42,677 vehicles
- Problem
- 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 fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
- Risk
- An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
Not every 2026 Kia K5 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other K5 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →