The bold and powerful 2022 Kia K5 stands out among other mid-size cars with an all-turbo lineup and optional all-wheel drive (AWD). It also offers trim level options to suit every driver and budget.
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The Kia K5 GT Line has either FWD or AWD.
A 180-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automated transmission powers the majority of K5 variants. Front-wheel drive is the engine’s default setup; all-wheel drive is an option, although not available on the GT variant. The 180-horsepower, front-drive K5 we tested had good acceleration in town, and our testing showed a 7.0-second sprint to 60 mph. At highway speeds, though, it was less spectacular because passing took more time. Nevertheless, thanks to a reliable transmission and a well-insulated cabin, the engine noise was usually kept to a low roar. The 2.5-liter turbo-four in the full-Monty GT model is more potent and produces 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. The sportiest K5 is equipped with bigger brakes, a special suspension tuning, and wider tires on larger 19-inch wheels in addition to its specialized eight-speed automatic (with the same wet dual-clutch as the Hyundai Sonata N Line). The GT we were driving reached 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and came to a complete stop from 70 mph in 163 feet. The Sonata N Line stopped even quicker and reached 60 mph in in 5.0 seconds (152 feet). Although the Kia only comes with all-season tires, the high-performance Hyundai we tested had optional summer tires as well, which added to its performance edge.
Is the Kia K5 four-wheel drive?
K5 GT-Line for Kia All-wheel drive is an option that costs $1,600, and versions with AWD also include heated front seats. AWD is only available on this model, not on the LXS.
Will the Kia K5 GT get AWD?
The K5 GT-Line has good storage and usability. The center console includes a cubby under the climate controls and a medium-sized pocket under the armrest in addition to a standard wireless device charger that relies on a clever drop-in style to prevent unintended disconnections. The door pockets are large enough for all manner of receipts and other debris. The only issue is that a larger handbag will need to be placed on the floor or passenger seat. The 16 cubic feet of space in the trunk, which is one of the largest in the sector, is more than adequate for the back.
I’m delighted to report that Kia is still a pioneer in cabin technology, especially cabin technology that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. For 2022, the 10.3-inch touchscreen with the most recent Kia infotainment system will be standard on the K5 GT-Line and above models. This telematics setup, which borrows from Genesis and Hyundai, offers some extremely attractive graphics and simple-to-use features, including entering a location or adjusting the screen brightness. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, although they require a wired connection. Speaking of charging, while I like that each row includes two USB-A connectors, it would be wonderful to see the faster Type-C ports since much of the automotive industry has switched over.
Given the current trend in the industry to cram 12-inch screens in front of the wheel, the gauge cluster is exactly what it sounds like: a cluster of physical gauges. The little TFT display between the speedometer and tachometer, however, is still able to provide me with all the information I require when driving, and the four physical dials are simple to see at a glance.
Forward-collision warning, automated emergency braking, pedestrian recognition, lane-keeping assistance, automatic high lights, and a rear-seat reminder are all standard on every Kia K5. The $1,900 Premium Package adds adaptive cruise control and Highway Driving Assist, a hands-on system that combines ACC with lane-keep to hold the car in its lane on the highway while pacing the flow of traffic. The GT-Line strengthens that suite by adding blind-spot monitoring. But in typical driving, the lane-keep assist can be a little overbearing. Additionally, be prepared to hear the automobile yell at you for driving on the wrong side of the road every 30 seconds if you live close to a construction zone that changes your lane to the opposite side of a split highway.
While the front wheels of the Kia K5 GT are powered by a powerful 290 horsepower, the GT-Line model keeps things more subdued. The 1.6-liter inline-four gas engine’s 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque are more than plenty for 99 percent of driving scenarios, but it doesn’t sound the best at higher rpm. When the eight-speed automatic transmission in this engine seamlessly shifts gears in the background while you’re simply cruising, it’s as at home when you’re playing as it is when you’re just cruising. The pedals are sensitive enough to prevent heads from wobbling about.
The suspension of the GT-Line is identical to that of any other non-GT trim below the body. All K5s have a somewhat sportier tuning, which keeps the ride suitably engaging without being a pain, especially in lower models with smaller alloy wheels and thicker tire sidewalls. On the GT-Line, things are a little different because it has larger 18-inch wheels and uses thinner 235/45R18 Pirelli P-Zero all-season tires. Despite this, the body nevertheless performs a good job of absorbing impacts, with the exception of those to the suspension that are particularly severe, where some unwanted noise will surely enter the vehicle. But the K5 is certainly one of the finest options if you want a sedan that is a little more interesting than anything you can pick up off the Toyota lot. Despite having adequate body roll and reasonably crisp steering, it is nevertheless a lot of fun to throw into curves.
For the 2022 model year, the addition of all-wheel drive to the GT-Line shouldn’t significantly affect fuel economy. The EPA estimates the AWD GT-Line will get 25 mpg in the city, 33 mpg on the highway, and 28 mpg overall. That’s only slightly less than the FWD model’s estimated 37 mpg on the interstate, and driving more lightly can help close the difference even further. Over a few hundred kilometers, my overall economy comes out to 29 mpg.
The 2022 Kia K5 manages to keep things remarkably reasonable, despite the average new-car transaction price gradually nearing what your parents spent for a whole house back in 1922. My tester adds only four options to the GT-Line AWD’s starting price of $28,685 (plus a $995 destination fee): $445 for Wolf Grey paint, $95 for a cargo mat, $155 for carpeted floor mats, and $1,900 for the Premium Package, which includes a panoramic roof, LED headlights, more driver aids, and a heated steering wheel. I’m looking down a window sticker that says $31,280 all in. Nobody has mentioned to Kia how this car seems to be undervalued.
Families have relied on midsize sedans for many years, so the K5 is right in the middle of a segment that includes some well-known veterans. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are both consistently great cars, while the Kia has more aggressive design and a sportier driving style. The K5’s kissing cousin, the Hyundai Sonata, delivers a lot of the same technology in a somewhat different-looking body. Depending on where you live, the Subaru Legacy’s standard all-wheel drive may be a benefit, although the cabin is a bit dull.
The 2022 Kia K5 is a fantastic midsize car, both on its own and as part of a competitive set. It offers competitive pricing, engaging driving dynamics, and some of the segment’s greatest appearance. The K5 is a tough act to follow when you add in a ton of safety and infotainment technology.
Which K5 model has AWD?
Drive in any weather K5 LXS and GT-Line from Kia With the Kia K5, which is the only midsize sedan with a turbo engine and AWD as standard equipment, Kia has established a new standard. The pleasant driving experience made possible by the engaging K5’s spirited performance will be appreciated by drivers.
The Kia K5 GT line AWD is how quick?
The 2022 Kia K5 GT is incredibly quick. With a top speed of 155 mph, it is quicker than the majority of German luxury vehicles now on the market and costs at least $10,000 more. While various independent tests have shown that the K5 GT can reach 60 mph in as little as 5.2 seconds, the official time for acceleration from 0 to 60 mph is only 5.7 seconds.
Not only that. In independent testing approved by AMCI Testing, the Kia K5 establishes faster acceleration and better overall handling performance than the BMW 330i Sedan, demonstrating its status as a real sports sedan. Given its best-in-class 311 lb.-ft. of torque and responsive 8-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission, the K5 GT outperformed the BMW 330i Sedan by 0.28 seconds at 060 acceleration.
Additionally, it outperforms the BMW 330i Sedan at quarter-mile top speed, achieving a terminal speed of 103.3 mph and completing the race in just 14.2 seconds. The K5 GT’s all-new chassis, Pirelli P-ZEROTM All-Season Tires, and sports-tuned suspension allow the vehicle achieve a superior overall handling performance and a maximum dry cornering G-force capability. The K5 GT also boasts higher handling performance in both wet and dry circumstances.
How does the all-wheel drive on the Kia K5 operate?
A 1.6L 4-cylinder Turbo engine producing 180 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque powers the GT-Line. It is less powerful than the top-end GT’s 2.5L Turbo, yet it is just as powerful in a city. The AWD system, which is standard on the GT-Line and LXS models, helps the K5’s performance even more.
For the first time in a Kia car to date, the AWD system is front-wheel drive based. It uses an electro-hydraulic system to operate the AWD coupling, which enables it to provide better, more precise control with quicker response times. The “Snow drive mode,” which further increases the AWD system for enhanced traction and control, will be loved by those who take their GT-Line into the snow.
Another first for the industry is the use of Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD), which enables independent regulation of valve duration, in all K5 vehicles powered by 1.6L engines. As a result, overall performance and efficiency are increased even further.
The brand-new 2021 Kia K5 GT-incorporation Line’s of high-tech elements helps to improve both safety and comfort. The K5 sedan’s already fortified and secure construction is enhanced by the GT-standard Line’s lane keeping aid, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, automatic emergency braking, and other ADAS technologies.
But it’s not all about function. The GT-Line is similarly astonishing for the amount of entertainment and comfort technology it has. The 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display in the center stack, which also features a high-definition rearview monitor for parking and reversing, serves as the foundation for the entire system. It’s good news that the GT-Line supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for smartphone integration. Dual-zone climate control, smart keyless entry with push-button start, and front and rear USB ports are also included. For individuals who need even greater visibility, the standard 8-inch screen can be upgraded to a 10.25-inch screen.
The K5 is designed for easy elegance that provides excellent comfort for both the driver and passenger, from the driver’s cockpit through the rear seating. The GT-Line includes SynTex upholstery and a driver’s seat with 10-way power adjustment and 2-way lumbar support as an add-on. Also heated are the front seats.
The K5 GT-Line is also just as useful as it is beautiful and athletic. It can comfortably accommodate even a car full of passengers who are six feet tall thanks to its generous 35.2 inches of legroom in the back seats and 16 cubic feet of trunk capacity. Both internal storage and headroom are abundant. The rear USB ports allow passengers in the back to keep their electronics charged.
The Kia K5 GT-Line, along with its other K5 siblings, is reshaping the sedan industry by combining svelte design with useful functionality and doing it at an inexpensive sticker price. It’s really uncommon to find this much on the market for just over $25,000 in pricing. Larger alloy wheels, a sportback profile, athletic finishes, and more drive features are often much more expensive. Market disruption from this new K5 is inevitable in 2021.
Is FWD effective in snow?
What configuration is ideal for driving in the winter? or simply driving in general? Rear-wheel drive, is it? Front-wheel-drive? All-wheel-drive? A four-wheel drive system?
Here are some examples of each’s benefits and drawbacks:
Pick-up trucks and SUVs based on trucks frequently have this technology. Most 4WD systems function “Until the driver (or, in the case of automatic systems, the onboard computer) engages the front axles, part-time engine power only drives the back wheels. The power split front-to-rear is often not changeable. When in 4WD mode, a fixed-ratio split of the engine’s output goes to the front wheels: 50%; the rear wheels: 50%. The inclusion of a two-speed transfer case and 4WD Low range gearing, which is intended for very low-speed operation in deep, unplowed snow, are further features that set truck-based 4WD systems apart (or off-road).
The plus side is that truck-type 4WD systems are excellent for navigating through extremely thick snow on unplowed roads and for off-roading in muddy, uneven terrain; the Low range gearing allows for crawling up steep inclines and trudging through deep mud. For persons who live in extremely remote places or who must travel on unplowed country roads in thick snow, truck-type 4WD is excellenteven necessary.
The disadvantage is that truck-style 4WD systems often function in 2WD mode, with just the back wheels receiving engine power. When in 2WD mode, these cars frequently have less traction than a FWD automobile, which has the advantage of the drive wheels pulling (instead of pushing) the car and also because the weight of the engine and transmission is positioned above the driven wheels, which increases traction. Additionally, 4WD systems aren’t made to help with handling or traction at high speeds on dry, paved roads. In reality, the majority of 4WD systems include warnings not to engage the 4WD on dry paved roads since it may impair handling and cause premature component wear.
Finally, a 4WD system significantly increases the weight of the car, which lowers fuel efficiency. Even while you might only need 4WD a few days a year, you’ll pay for it every day by carrying about an extra 200 pounds of dead weight.
Even though the information is frequently there in the owner’s manual, not many people are aware of these significant everyday limits of 4WD.
The bottom line: Purchase a 4WD if you require a vehicle with real off-road capability, frequently travel on rural (and unpaved) gravel or dirt roads, or reside in a location that experiences harsh winters where driving through deep snow on unplowed roads is the norm. Otherwise, it will probably be a waste of money.
Front-wheel drive is used in the majority of new passenger vehicles, including “crossovers that resemble SUVs in appearance but are (often) constructed on a car-based, FWD chassis.
The plus side: Because the engine and transmission are directly on top of the drive wheels, FWD vehicles can actually be rather resilient in the snow. When it snows, front-wheel drive is significantly superior to rear-wheel drive. Unless the snow is extremely deep, in which case the lack of ground clearance will more than anything else cause you to get stuck, you should be able to make it to work with a good pair of all-season or snow tires. FWD is also less expensive to purchase “front and to run for the duration of the car. You don’t have to pay extra when you purchase the vehicle or every time you fill up the petrol tank to transport equipment that you only need occasionally.
The disadvantage is that FWD cars have a weight tilt toward the front, which is a built-in performance and handling restriction. Additionally, the wheels that push and steer the vehicle simultaneously are not ideal for cornering and high-speed driving. Due to this, the majority of race cars and high-performance vehicles have rear-wheel drive. FWD is essentially an economical drivetrain configuration created to lighten vehicles, make assembly simpler, and lower manufacturing costs.
The bottom line: For the typical driver who uses his car to get from “a to “b and would like to have respectable traction on those few days each winter when there is some snow on the roads, FWD is a suitable option.
With this arrangement, the engine power can be distributed to each wheel individually or to all four as needed to maintain traction. AWD systems were formerly only available on a select few brands and models, but today, many different types of passenger cars, wagons, minivans, and light-duty, car-based vehicles come standard with AWD or offer it as an extra feature “crossovers.
The plus side: AWD enhances handling on dry (or wet) paved roads in summer and offers great all-weather grip on snow-covered roads in winter. AWD is optimized for use in snow as well as on smooth, paved areas, in contrast to a truck-style 4WD system (or even on unpaved gravel and dirt). Sports vehicles and sedans with high-performance AWD offer exceptional dry-season on-road handling and enhanced wintry weather competence. AWD systems also don’t need the driver to do anything; power is sent automatically to the wheels with the best traction. And depending on the traction situation, they can direct up to 90% or more of the engine’s power to the front (or rear) wheels.
The drawback is that AWD lacks a two-speed transfer case and 4WD Low range gearing, making it inappropriate for off-road driving. The cost of purchasing an AWD car can increase significantly, sometimes by up to several thousand dollars. AWD can significantly increase weight in some vehicles, which reduces both performance and fuel efficiency.
The main line is that AWD is a great option for the performance-minded driver who values both being able to leave his driveway in the event of snowfall and dry-weather handling and high-speed grip in a turn.
Prior to recently, most passenger automobiles, especially those sold under domestic brands, had a drivetrain set up similar to this. Although the engine is in the front, only the rear wheels receive power.
The plus side: Rear-drive vehicles are often lighter (and less expensive to purchase and maintain) than AWD-equipped vehicles. They also distribute the weight of the engine, transmission, and axle assemblies from front to rear more evenly than nose-heavy FWD vehicles. Rear-drive vehicles are extremely tough and long-lasting, which is why police and taxi services prefer to employ them. And lastly, rear-drive permits smoky burnouts, which are significant to many lovers of performance cars.
The disadvantage: Unless you prefer fishtailing like a freshly caught sea bass, a RWD vehicle is not the hot ticket for driving in the snow. Pickups with rear-drive (2WD) are particularly terrible in the snow; even on slick roads, their light rear ends have a habit of coming undone.
The bottom line: Rear-drive will likely work for you if you occasionally love a nice burnout, live in a region with moderate winters, and can manage some inconvenience on the few days each year when it does snow.