2025 Kia K5 GT-Line: They Neutered It! 

The Optima was the car that got me interested in Kia when the redesigned ones came out back in 2011! It’s been cool to see the evolution of their design over the years, like the chrome trim piece he mentioned. That harkens back to the 2011 models and was carried into the Stinger’s design language, too! I worked in product planning for a couple years at Kia when I graduated from college and made product proposals that ended up in production on the K5 and other Kias. I have a 2022 K5 GT-Line AWD in Wolf Grey paint now with the red interior - I made several of those product suggestions! Awesome ride to have been part of the planning process on! 🔥

I would bet they're rerouting their pipeline of 1.6T production to their hybrid Sportage and Sorento, which are rapidly growing in popularity. I'm sure supply chain constraints/planning prevent them from simply making more.

I have to agree that the 1.6L turbo is an efficient engine and a lot of fun to drive. I have a 2024 GT-Line with that engine and really love driving it! I took a long highway trip today and averaged 42 mpg. ** It seems to me that replacing that turbo engine with the 2.5L non-turbo is a downgrade 🙄

yes it's stupid that they only offer 1 interior for the gt why limit the top trim? U should be able to get red seats or the brown seats and u should be able to get red calipers but this is a kia so i guess u can't ask for that much

@@j317one word: classism The new GT is suppose to be worn as a badge, everyone driving one is ‘suppose’ to project this idea of speciality, because it’s one of its kind. also 0-60 in 5 seconds + a wet DCT turbo is no joke what so ever

@wizels1403 doesn't matter that doesn't mean u give it 1 option while lesser trims get more options what kinna sense does that make? In my opinion even the wolf grey color from the start of the k5 should of only been avaliable as a gt that way u would be able to distinguish it instead of seeing the color everywhere because it is avaliable in the cheaper gt line my point is kia is all over the place with the offerings for different trim levels only the best options should be for the higher trim that is how it's supposed to be

@@j317 no I honestly agree, it was always off to me how Kia prices stuff, are they returded or is it intentional

Kias 1.6 liter turbo is not an engine that has had issues. It's already a proven reliable engine.

@@johnfranklin5277 The 1.6 can be a reliable engine and the 2.5 could also end up being more reliable. Two things can be true, doesn't mean one has to be reliable and the other isn't, but one is probably more reliable than the other. I could see the 2.5 potentially ending up being more reliable.

Kia/Hyundai engines equipped with the 1.6 turbo with GDI engines have been problematic. This car looks amazing. But the 2.5 liter engine is lackluster. Kia/Hyundai are looking for beta testers to show off their updated K5. Will this naturally aspirated engine save the day? Perhaps but at what cost. Dealers are already marking these cars well north of the msrp. And consumers are so impatient they simply must keep up with the neighbors. The biggest problem relates to major oil consumption from GDI engines. Have you looked at your exhaust tail pipe? Do you see metal or black sot from oil burning? People keep your service records. Kia/Hyundai will to go to extreme measures to not give you a new engine. Be smart and do oil changes less than the recommended service guide. Why do you think they promote waiting for extended oil change intervals...no wrong answer. They know your lack of knowledge will void any potential warranty claims....due to excessive miles and warranty limitations. Dealerships only goal is to separate you from your money....do not get screwed. If you screw me I want to feel it 😂😂😂😂😂!!!

You should check out the Elantra N-line. It’s a direct competitor to the GT-line. It produces 201 hp and 195Ibs of Torque. I personally think it’s much sleeker and better looking.

​@@JorgeSoto-el7ji Mid-size Vs Sub-compact

is the 2025 GT already at dealerships?

@@LaiyaUnscripted most are still in transit I believe but yes. You can also build one if a dealership around you doesn't have one. Just call up your closest dealership and see if they'll put an order in for you

@@DoubleAE thank you for this information!

Me too. the 185HP and it drives and feels great!

Yes, I am glad I have a 2021 GT LINE with premium package with the 1.6 turbo. Lots more pick up, ie fun. I test drove this new one with this 2.5 here in the Los Angeles area, its sea level, and was really shocked at how slow the pick up is...salesman says, so you ready to trade your 2021 in on this awsome new one? I said, no, sorry, I like mine much better. It's in like new condition, only 38.000 miles on it.

@@johnfranklin5277no Gt line has a turbo not sure wym

@@FT9chango5 The 2021 thru 2024 K5s only came with Turbo engines.

I like the refreshed front but prefer the old rear imo

I saw refresh in real life, it's the coolest design I ever seen.

These are really sharp cars. Agree

I prefer the refreshed version better.

cmon guys you know we have to stay modern and innovate, ask yourselves, what drew you to the design in the first place, the awesome look, that was the goal here

Kia K5 the only one has AUTOMATIC transmission, Accord, Camry, Malibu have CVVT😬😬😬

As a Kia Tech, what’s your thoughts on this 2.5L engine? I have read concerns about it, too. I am in the market, and exploring options. I need a car asap. I have a slight interest in this k5. Literally going to test drive this very trim today.

@@sherrikwhiteside6107 set expectations, do not expect Lexus/ Toyota reliability from this engine, is this a good car? No oil changes at 7500 or 10000 miles, 5K max, it DOES matter.

@@forceuser609 seriously, bro, thanks for responding. I had read where there were oil consumption problems with this 2.5L engine, which has been used in the Sonata. Kia/Hyundai make some great looking vehicles, but they need to put a lot more emphasis on building better engines, rather than something that just looks good, packed with tech.

How about the 2.5 turbo engine?

@@DS-rx6uk junk

There’s a couple hitting showroom floors now . I know a couple in my home state

Gt is still fwd and only offers 1 interior color choice

sigh.. maybe next year? perhaps they’re seeing how to market works this year especially, either way i heard if you replace your front tires with some high quality sticky summer tires you can cancel the traction issue 😱

No orange interior like what was shown with the Korean model 😮‍💨​@@j317

I agree. It’s crazy to offer so much HP in the GT and only provide FWD with an open diff - no LSD no AWD. Just a ton of one wheel peel and axle hop.

More boring as well

It's not auto, you have to fold it. I have same car in yacht blue

Yes... only in the EX trim.

That sucks bro im leasing a ebony black 2024 i love it I just don't like that part of it the folding of side mirror

definitely do it

that’s my question too

@@LaiyaUnscripted ong cause no one’s saying anything about it so am just curious

On top trims, I do believe the dash has some ambient lighting. Kia also has a mood light kit you can add as an accessory at the dealer. I added it on my 2022 K5.

@@ATRichard thank you for this information

@@LaiyaUnscripted You’re welcome! You can also buy “mini USB or USB-C” mood lights to spice up the interior of your car for cheap too.

yes in all 2025 models

Completely disagree. I age the turbo one it’s great and fun to drive. It’s definitely not loud or trashy don’t know where u get that from lol. And I have the fwd one and power is not an issue.

@chadxlr3978 the 1.6t is louder and less refined than the older 2.4 n/a engine. That's where I get it from. I've driven a lot of different cars and that 1.6t is an unpleasant engine in the K5, sonata and previous Sante fe. I had a k5 as a loaner while my car was in the collision center for a little over a month. I couldn't rev it above 3k rpm because the tires would squeal and the car would cut power for a second or so then give it back to me. I mean talk about dangerous lol. And no it's not because I stomp on the throttle, it's because the car has too much low end torque and immediately revs high unless you're very careful with the throttle. I shouldn't have to put that much thought into accelerating. I can forgive the much faster GT for that issue since it's genuinely quick. But for a car that can't even hit 0-60 in less than 7 seconds, the traction issue is unacceptable. Savagegeese spoke about that issue in his K5 review and after looking in the comments, other people had the same issue.

​@kyron2092 Turn off the traction control then. I've owned my GT LINE for 3 years this month. It never breaks the tires loose unless I'm really getting on it. You have a heavy foot from a stop. You won't have to worry about this new non turbo squealing the tires, it doesn't have enough power to do so. I tested here in the LA area at sea level. It's way slow.

@johnfranklin5277 I've tried it with traction on and off, doesn't make much of a difference. I'm actually glad you don't have that issue but many do. The n/a powertrain has a little less tq but more hp. The 1.6t in the k5 is missing top end. I'm pretty sure the 2.5 feels slower but if you time them 0-60 it's probably a negligible difference if it isn't the same. The 1.6t k5 hits 0-60 in the mid to low 7 second range, and if my 2.4 optima can do the same thing, than I'm pretty sure the new 2.5 can as well. I'm glad Kia went with that choice. I just don't like the 1.6t in the k5, it doesn't fit that car to me. I adore it in the forte though

You can get it fwd or awd. It comes in both for every trim

@@seanpark3106 even the trim with 300 hp?

@@kevindong4455no. Unfortunately the hot 2.5T in the GT only comes with FWD - and not even an LSD to help put that 300-ish HP down to the pavement. Prepare for lots of one wheel peel and axle hop.

That's called the K5 GT with 290 HP.

Why not? Because of the change to the 2.5L engine?

@@sherrikwhiteside6107 yes the 2.5 is a fine SUV motor but not sporty at all it was the standard motor in the 2023 Hyundai Sonata’s you had to get a SEL plus to get the 1.6t and all Kia K5’s had the 1.6t it was a great thing that Kia did for the sporty K5 ow it’s gone .

That funny, the same reason I went out and bought the 25' because of stronger naturally aspirated engine

Actually on paper it looks like 10 extra hp but less toque so actually does not pull like the turbo the naturally aspirated engine is cheaper for Kia to make and they raised the price

Would you not be concerned of it having a gasoline direct injection engine, though? I am far from being a mechanic, but I know carbon buildup is a concern with those engines. I am in the market, and just exploring options.

Explain

@israsalme wow, you can't easily understand the comment says poor reliability and poor quality of Kia products without spelling it out ? There ya go, "Explained !

@@car-diologist lmao or maybe instead of making people waste their time having to reply to your dumbass vague comment just say it how it is off the start

Hilarious when someone that knows nothing about cars talks shit about other people bot knowing about cars. Kia makes some of thr best vehicles on the road. No other brand offers as much style, tech, efficiency, and as good a warranty as Kia. And they're on the top of the dependability charts for the last few years. Must be sad you can't afford one. Whatever helps you cope...

@bigdeesul5280 My wife and I had a Kia, many people we know have had a Kia, all of them except for two hate Kia products and will no longer buy them. We and they couldn't get rid of the garbage quickly enough. Thankfully my wife and I no longer need to buy cheap, unlike yourself. Lol, your a real sucka. Kakakakakia. Lmao, you pimpin a Kia talking smack like others can't afford it....🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣