2026 Kia K5: NHTSA Safety Rating & Pricing
— NHTSA, IIHS, EPA, AAA, RepairPal
The 2026 Kia K5 scores well across safety and reliability compared to 29 other value Sedans. NHTSA has 1 recall campaign on file for this vehicle.
- Starting MSRP
- $27,490 - $34,990
- EPA Combined MPG
- 27 MPG
- NHTSA Safety Rating
- 5-Star (Highest)
- Est. Annual Fuel Cost
- $2,200 per year
- EPA GHG Score
- 5 / 10
- Recalls on File
- 1 recall on file
- EPA: vs Avg Vehicle
- Save $500 over 5 yrs
- Owner Complaints
- 8 on file
- Est. Monthly Cost (with fuel)
- $1,013 per month
- Est. Cost per Mile (with fuel)
- $0.66
- Brand Origin
- South Korea
Priced from $27,490 to $34,990, the 2026 Kia K5 is one of 29 value Sedans. The data below covers what it costs to fuel, insure, and maintain over the miles you will actually drive.
- Avg repair cost $280 per year below Sedan average
- Fuel cost $355 per year above value Sedans average
2026 Kia K5 at a Glance
Compared with similar sedans in our dataset, the clearest positive signals for the 2026 Kia K5 are high published crash-test results and an above-average RepairPal reliability rating, with lower estimated five-year cost. The main caution is that fuel cost is only average.
- safety
- reliability
- estimated 5-year cost
Strengths in the data
- Safety: 5-star NHTSA. Safest Sedans 2026 →
- Reliability: RepairPal 4.0/5 from RepairPal. Most reliable Sedans 2026 →
- Best estimated five-year cost in the lineup is about $3,397 below the similar-vehicle average. Lowest cost to own 2026 →
Cautions in the data
- Fuel cost lands in the middle of its comparison group rather than standing out.
Similar vehicles to compare
How Safe Is the 2026 Kia K5?
NHTSA awarded the 2026 Kia K5 a 5-star overall rating, the highest available. This places it among the 99% of Sedans that earned top marks in frontal, side, and rollover crash tests. Source: NHTSA.
Overall Safety
99% of Sedans share this top rating
| Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Frontal Crash | |
| Side Crash | |
| Rollover |
Rollover Risk: 10.7%
Crash testing is only as useful as the scenarios it covers. NHTSA and IIHS test overlapping but different crash types, giving the 2026 Kia K5 a more thorough evaluation than either program provides alone.
How Did the 2026 Kia K5 Perform in IIHS Crash Tests?
The 2026 Kia K5 was evaluated by IIHS but fell short of Top Safety Pick criteria. The individual crash test results below show where it scored well and where it did not. Source: IIHS.
| Test | Rating |
|---|---|
| Small Overlap Front | G Good |
| Moderate Overlap Front | P Poor |
| Side | M Marginal |
| Seat Belt Reminders | A Acceptable |
| Child Seat Anchors (LATCH) | A Acceptable |
IIHS vehicle class: Midsize cars
A strong crash test result tells you the vehicle was well-engineered for collisions. The recall record tells you whether any defects have been found after production began.
Does the 2026 Kia K5 Have Any Recalls?
NHTSA has 1 recall campaign on file for the 2026 Kia K5, affecting ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL. This is typical for Sedans, which average 1 recall campaign. Recall repairs are provided free at authorized dealers. Source: NHTSA.
1 recall campaign on file with NHTSA.
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Most recent: January 2026
Units affected: 341,416
What Do 2026 Kia K5 Owners Report to NHTSA?
NHTSA has 8 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Kia K5. This is above the average of 6 complaints for 2026 Sedans. Owner complaints are self-reported and unverified, but patterns across many reports can indicate real issues.
7 in the last 90 days · most recent filed 2026-04-13
Safety-relevant complaints: At least one complaint includes injury reported. Review individual reports on NHTSA.gov for details.
Most-reported problem areas
- Engine5
- Electrical3
Source: NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. Data last refreshed 2026-04-16.
Commuting miles add up. The EPA fuel data below shows what you can expect to spend annually on the 2026 Kia K5, broken down by trim.
What Is the 2026 Kia K5 Fuel Economy?
The 2026 Kia K5 achieves up to 27 combined MPG according to EPA testing, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,200. That is $355 more per year than the $1,845 average for value Sedans. EPA estimates are based on standardized laboratory tests. Source: EPA (fueleconomy.gov).
| Trim | Combined | City | Highway | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LXS FWD GAS | 27 MPG | 23 | 33 | $2,200 per year |
| GT-Line FWD GAS | 27 MPG | 23 | 33 | $2,200 per year |
| GT-Line AWD GAS | 27 MPG | 24 | 33 | $2,200 per year |
| GT FWD GAS | 27 MPG | 23 | 33 | $2,200 per year |
| EX FWD GAS | 27 MPG | 23 | 33 | $2,200 per year |
Estimated 5-year fuel cost is $11,000 based on EPA data.
Commuters put the most predictable miles on a vehicle. That makes the full ownership cost, not just fuel, the number that matters most. AAA breaks it down below.
What Does the 2026 Kia K5 Cost to Own?
Estimated 5-year total ownership cost for the 2026 Kia K5 ranges from $70,090 to $91,370 depending on trim, based on AAA's Your Driving Costs study for the Medium Sedan class. This includes insurance, maintenance, depreciation, registration, and financing. These are class averages, not specific to this model. Source: AAA.
| Maintenance | $1,786 per year |
|---|---|
| Insurance | $1,572 per year |
| Depreciation | $3,462 per year |
| Registration & Taxes | $613 per year |
| Financing | $854 per year |
| Total (excluding fuel) | $9,956 per year |
| Cost per mile | $0.66 per mile |
Commuters benefit most from the trim that balances fuel economy and features at the lowest total cost. The table below puts all 5 options side by side.
How Do the 2026 Kia K5 Trims Compare?
With 5 trims priced from $27,490 to $34,990, the 2026 Kia K5 offers a range of equipment levels. All trims use a Gasoline powertrain. MSRP figures below do not include destination, taxes, or dealer fees.
| Trim | Base MSRP | Combined MPG | Est. Annual Fuel Cost | Drive Type | Horsepower | Curb Weight | Est. 5-Year Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LXS FWD GAS | $27,490 | 27 MPG | $2,200 per year | FWD | 191 hp | 3,230 lbs | $84,520 |
| GT-Line FWD GAS | $28,490 | 27 MPG | $2,200 per year | FWD | 191 hp | 3,291 lbs | $70,090 |
| GT-Line AWD GAS | $30,090 | 27 MPG | $2,200 per year | AWD | 191 hp | 3,463 lbs | $87,870 |
| GT FWD GAS | $33,590 | 27 MPG | $2,200 per year | FWD | 290 hp | 3,596 lbs | $91,370 |
| EX FWD GAS | $34,990 | 27 MPG | $2,200 per year | FWD | 191 hp | 3,395 lbs | $76,590 |
The entry price has increased $1,900 since 2024.
Price changes since 2024
- EX FWD GAS $29,490 (2024) → $34,990 (2026) +$5,500
- LXS FWD GAS $25,590 (2024) → $27,490 (2026) +$1,900
- GT FWD GAS $31,990 (2024) → $33,590 (2026) +$1,600
- GT-Line FWD GAS $27,090 (2024) → $28,490 (2026) +$1,400
- GT-Line AWD GAS $28,690 (2024) → $30,090 (2026) +$1,400
View full trim timeline (2024–2026)
| Trim | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| LXS FWD GAS | $25,590 27 MPG | $27,190 27 MPG | $27,490 27 MPG |
| GT-Line FWD GAS | $27,090 27 MPG | $28,190 27 MPG | $28,490 27 MPG |
| GT-Line AWD GAS | $28,690 28 MPG | $29,790 27 MPG | $30,090 27 MPG |
| EX FWD GAS | $29,490 27 MPG | $34,960 27 MPG | $34,990 27 MPG |
| GT FWD GAS | $31,990 27 MPG | $33,290 27 MPG | $33,590 27 MPG |
Compare Trim Costs
Select two trims and adjust your driving and financing to see how monthly costs compare. Only costs we can compute from EPA data and your inputs are shown. No estimates, no guesses.
Your driving & financing
Once you have settled on a trim, long-term dependability becomes the deciding factor. The section below shows the third-party reliability rating currently available.
How Reliable Is the 2026 Kia K5?
With a 4.0/5.0 reliability score from RepairPal, the 2026 Kia K5 rates above average for value Sedans. Fewer shop visits and lower repair costs are expected compared to peers. Source: RepairPal.
Reliability data tells you what to expect. Warranty coverage tells you what Kia will fix for free if something goes wrong within the covered period.
What Warranty Does the 2026 Kia K5 Come With?
The warranty terms below reflect Kia's published coverage for the 2026 K5. All trims share the same warranty. Coverage begins on the date of first retail sale.
| Basic Warranty | 5yr/60k |
|---|---|
| Powertrain Warranty | 10yr/100k |
| Corrosion Warranty | 5yr/100k |
| Roadside Assistance | 5yr/60k |
What Are the 2026 Kia K5 Specs?
The specifications below cover engine output, dimensions, and drivetrain for the 2026 Kia K5. These are manufacturer-reported figures and may vary by trim configuration.
EPA vehicle class: Mid-size car
| Engine | 2.5L I4 |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 191 - 290 hp |
| Power-to-Weight | 110.3 - 161.3 hp per ton |
| Price per HP | $116 - $183 |
| Torque | 181 - 311 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed shiftable automatic, 8-speed automated manual |
| Drive Type | Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Type | regular unleaded |
| Fuel Tank | 15.8 gal |
| Est. Range per Tank | 427 miles per tank (EPA combined) |
| Length | 193.1 in |
|---|---|
| Width | 73.2 in |
| Height | 56.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in |
| Curb Weight | 3,230 - 3,596 lbs |
What Changed for the 2026 Kia K5?
- Pricing changed across one or more trims
- Recall status changed
All data shown for the 2026 Kia K5 comes from EPA, NHTSA, IIHS, AAA, manufacturers, and selected third-party references. For a vehicle driven every day, the fuel and reliability data above matters most. Data is refreshed periodically.
Source links
Verify this data
2026 Kia K5 FAQ
Which 2026 Kia K5 trim has the lowest ownership cost?
Among 5 available trims, the GT-Line FWD GAS has the lowest estimated five-year ownership cost at $70,090, starting at $28,490 MSRP. The most expensive trim to own is about $91,370. See the full trim comparison table above for a side-by-side breakdown.
What vehicles compete with the 2026 Kia K5?
Vehicles similar to the 2026 Kia K5 in price and segment include 2026 Hyundai Sonata, 2026 Nissan Altima, and 2026 Honda Accord. The Hyundai Sonata is the closest in price (starting at $27,450, 5-star NHTSA, 27-47 MPG). Each has its own fact sheet with EPA, NHTSA, IIHS, and cost data for comparison. Browse all 2026 Sedans.
What changed on the 2026 Kia K5 from last year?
Compared to the previous model year, the entry price increased by $1,900 for the Kia K5 lineup. See the trim evolution timeline above for full year-by-year pricing and availability details.
How much does a 2026 Kia K5 cost per month to own?
Excluding your car payment, estimated monthly costs for the 2026 Kia K5 include about $830 for insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and fees, plus roughly $183 for fuel. That puts non-payment running costs around $1,013 per month. These are estimates based on AAA class averages and EPA fuel data. Actual costs depend on your driving, location, and coverage.
Where is Kia based?
Kia's headquarters are in South Korea. Assembly location varies by model and sometimes by trim. The "Brand Origin" label on this site refers to corporate headquarters, not the factory where your specific vehicle was built. See our South Korea-brand cars 2026 list.
What other Kia models are available for 2026?
Kia offers multiple models for 2026. Our Kia models page lists every available Kia vehicle with safety ratings, fuel costs, and ownership data.
What does the 2026 Kia K5 cost per mile to drive?
Based on AAA ownership cost estimates and EPA fuel data, the 2026 Kia K5 costs approximately 66.4 cents per mile to operate, including fuel, insurance, maintenance, depreciation, and financing. Actual cost per mile depends on your annual mileage, driving habits, and location.
Compare to Similar Vehicles
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Data on this page is compiled from government agencies and independent research organizations. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, purchasing, or safety advice. Verify all data with the original source before making decisions.