2022 Kia K5 GT: Why Can’t We Have Our Cake and Eat It, Too?

It’s easy to see why SUVs are so popular these days. People like their extra versatility and cargo capacity, higher driving position and available all-wheel drive system. In an effort to survive, more and more passenger cars are now also offering an AWD option.

Midsize sedans are a good example. First there was the Subaru Legacy, then the Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry and the new Kia K5, which has replaced the Optima. The problem with the last two is that you can’t have AWD with the bigger engine, so you’re left to choose between safety and performance. A big dilemma, for sure.

• Also: 2021 Kia K5 GT Line: One Engine Shy of Perfection
• Also: 2021 Kia K5: More Than Just Good Looks

Two Engines, Two Compromises

In LX, EX or GT Line trim, the Kia K5 relies on a small 1.6-litre turbocharged engine that sends 180 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. In a midsize car, that’s nothing to get super-excited about, as evidenced by the 8.6 seconds it takes to sprint from 0-100 km/h.

Sitting pretty at the top of the lineup is the K5 GT, like the one you see here. A 2.5-litre turbo engine uses its 290 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque to cut acceleration times to 6.7 seconds. Now we’re talking. This model feels strong and quite lively in addition to being more expressive, although some folks might think it sounds a bit grumpy.

There are four drive modes to choose from—Normal, Sport, Sport+ and Custom—all of which change throttle and steering response. The Custom mode, obviously, makes it possible to adjust both characteristics to your liking along with stability control intervention (which is completely turned off in Sport+ mode, by the way).

On dry pavement, the K5 GT shows nice poise and proves fun to drive, busting myths about family sedans and Kia vehicles in general. It feels lighter and more compact than it actually is. The GT-exclusive, eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox deserves credit, as well. Torque steer at full throttle is about the only thing that will irritate drivers—remember, those 311 pound-feet of torque all rush toward the front wheels. Braking, meanwhile, is easy to modulate and the larger-diameter discs are certainly appreciated.

On the flip side, the lack of AWD makes the K5 GT less predictable in typical Canadian winter conditions. For someone who enjoys driving and testing limits, having to sacrifice so much of the engine’s potential can sure be frustrating. Our advice is to at least get a very good set of winter tires.

Ah, Those Seats!

Life inside the Kia K5 GT is pleasant and visibility is good thanks to a large windshield and fairly thin A-pillars. We also liked the 12.3-inch digital instrument panel which takes on a different appearance based on the drive mode you select (there’s a rotary dial for that on the centre console), plus the 10.25-inch multimedia display which is angled toward the driver, though still a bit out of reach.

The best part, though, are the superbly designed sport seats in synthetic leather. They are just as comfortable as they are effective at keeping your upper body in check in sharp corners. Definitely some of the best buckets we’ve tested in the past year. The worst part? It’s got to be the awful shift lever, which simply doesn’t belong in such as stylish and sporty sedan.

Other than that, the cabin is tastefully appointed, and the K5 GT lives up to Kia’s reputation of offering a lot of bang for your buck. This includes advanced safety and driver assistance features. In the rear, passengers up to 5’10” probably won’t complain about headroom despite the sloping roofline and panoramic sunroof. However, the rear window extends way back and creates a short opening for the 434-litre trunk.

Our Verdict

Starting at $40,495 plus freight and PDE, the 2022 Kia K5 GT is quite a looker with those 19-inch wheels, quad exhaust tips and zigzag-shaped daytime running lights. Performance is more than commendable, too. We just can’t understand why AWD is missing—yet standard on less powerful K5 models.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a part of the country where winters are usually short and dry, go for it in a heartbeat. Otherwise, you’ll be spending several months not getting your money’s worth. On that note, you might want to consider a 260-horsepower Subaru Legacy Premier GT instead.