The Best Midsize Kia Cars
The Kia K5 and Kia Stinger are the two midsize Kia cars on the market—and both of them stand up strong against the competition.
Written by R.E. Fulton
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Table of Contents
If you’re looking for midsize Kia cars, your two options are the Kia K5 and Kia Stinger. The K5’s the budget option, but it’s surprisingly well-appointed and offers outsize value for its low price tag, while the more performance-oriented Stinger liftback slots in nicely between more humdrum sedans and true luxury cars.
Midsize cars don’t have a great reputation for being aesthetically or mechanically pleasing, but Kia seems to be out to change that narrative with the K5 and the Stinger. Here with an overview of Kia’s midsize car lineup is
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2022 Kia K5
For fans of small cars who also want the best warranty in the industry, there’s the subcompact Kia Rio and the compact Kia Forte. But if you’re looking for something with a little more space, the K5 is the midsize Kia model for you.
The Kia K5—the successor to the well-loved Optima, which was discontinued in 2020—might not have the name recognition of a
Honda Accord
or a Toyota Camry
, but it should. With the styling sophistication of a Mazda, the reliability of a Toyota, and the safety of a Subaru, it’s an incredibly well-rounded midsize sedan with the good looks and performance perks of a pricier car. Pricing
The 2022 Kia K5 starts at $23,790 MSRP—on the low end of the average for a midsize sedan. Even the performance-oriented K5 GT maxes out at $31,190 MSRP, making the K5 an affordable choice for a midsize car.
Performance
How the K5 performs depends heavily on which trim you opt for. In most iterations, the K5 is powered by a fairly tame 1.8-liter four-cylinder good for just 180 horsepower, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive is standard, and all-wheel drive is only an option on the mid-level LXS and GT-Line trims. The result is a perfectly capable but uninspiring ride. It’s easy to drive, but its on-road manners will neither frustrate nor excite you.
The exception is the top-of-the-line GT, which swaps out the dull 1.8-liter for a 290-hp 2.5-liter turbo four and upgrades the transmission to a dual-clutch eight-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Throw in better brakes and a sport-tuned suspension, and the GT comes alive on the road, zipping from zero to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.
Fuel economy
Fuel efficiency is a major concern for sedan buyers, and your trim and powertrain selections will matter. The standard K5 with FWD and the smaller engine gets up to 29 mpg city and 38 mpg highway for a combined EPA rating of 32 mpg, which isn’t bad for a midsize car. Opting for AWD, however, knocks the K5 down to just 28 mpg combined, while the gutsier engine in the GT trim goes down to 27 mpg combined.
Interior and tech
The K5’s interior is sophisticated and thoughtfully appointed, with roomy seating, decent cargo space, and tons of user-friendly tech. The base trim starts off well with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, dual-zone automatic climate control, and a six-speaker sound system. If you’re looking for more luxury, the K5 has it, particularly in the EX and GT trims, where you can opt for features like heated and ventilated front seats with driver’s seat memory settings, ambient interior lighting, and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.
The standard 8.0-inch touchscreen is easy to use, and expands to 10.3 inches at the GT-Line trim and above—but be aware that the larger screen doesn’t come with wireless smartphone integration; you’ll have to pull out the aux cord.
Safety and reliability
The K5 gets stellar safety ratings across the board, thanks in part to a suite of driver assistance technology that comes standard on all trims, including forward collision mitigation, driver attention warnings, and a lane-keeping system with lane departure warnings. Additional safety features like blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and a rear passenger safe exit system are standard on all but the base trim.
As a result, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gives the 2022 K5 a perfect five-star rating, while the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) names it a Top Safety Pick+, the highest safety designation available.
As for reliability, the K5 has above-average scores. RepairPal gives the 2019 Kia Optima—the K5’s predecessor—a 4.0/5.0 score for reliability. Consumer Reports and J.D. Power back up that estimate, giving the 2022 K5 a 3/5 and 84/100, respectively, for reliability.
Trim levels
The 2022 Kia K5 is available in five trim levels: LX, LXS, GT-Line, EX, and GT. The LX and LXS trims focus on basic features, with a greater focus on comfort and convenience in the LXS, which adds perks like remote start, keyless entry, and rear USB ports. The GT-Line focuses on sporty elements like new exterior styling and foglights, but it also ramps up the luxury with a panoramic sunroof and improved upholstery.
The EX skips the sporty styling and maxes out luxury features like premium audio and driver’s seat memory settings. Finally, the GT is the performance model: where the GT-Line just looks sporty, the GT makes good on that promise with a powertrain upgrade and sport-tuned suspension.
Competitors
How does the 2022 K5 midsize sedan measure up to the competition? The table below compares the K5 with three
leading competitors
in the midsize sedan class.Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,790 to $31,190 | 180-hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 24-29 mpg city/32-38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$25,845 to $36,270 | 203-hp four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 22-28 mpg city/32-39 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$26,520 to $38,450 | 192-hp 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/CVT and standard FWD | 22-30 mpg city/32-38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 83/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$24,500 to $34,400 | 191-hp 2.5-liter four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 23-28 mpg city/33-38 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 82/100 (J.D. Power) |
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2022 Kia Stinger
The K5 isn’t Kia’s only midsize sedan. For drivers who love the K5’s looks and practicality but want a more thrilling driving experience, there’s the Kia Stinger, an accessibly-priced executive liftback that competes in the midsize sedan class.
Pricing
Pricing for the 2022 Kia Stinger starts out at $36,290 MSRP and goes up to $53,690, taking the car all the way from affordable territory into the luxury price range. Stick to the base GT-Line, and you’ll stay within a Kia budget; upgrade to the GT1 for a little extra edge or the GT2 to go all-out with both price and performance.
Performance
Speaking of performance, let’s talk about the Stinger driving experience. If you opt for the GT-Line, your Stinger will be motivated by a sweet little turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder that generates up to 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque—plenty for some fun driving outside of (or during, we don’t judge) your daily commute.
But things get really fun when you level up to the GT1 and GT2’s throaty, athletic turbo V6. It’s good for 368 ponies and 376 lb-ft of torque, bringing the Stinger’s 0-to-60 time up from a sedate 6.2 seconds to five seconds flat. Plus, you’ll get to drive to the manly music of the V6 exhaust—a plus, if that’s your thing, and a minus if you prefer a silent ride.
No matter which engine your Stinger carries, it’s married to an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard rear-wheel drive (AWD is optional).
Fuel economy
Gas mileage is the biggest sacrifice you’ll make for the joy of driving a Stinger. The hatchback’s at its most efficient with rear-wheel drive and the base four-cylinder engine, but the Stinger’s most efficient is an EPA rating of 22 mpg city and 32 mpg highway. That’s 25 mpg combined—not abysmal, but nothing to rejoice over.
Opt for AWD and the V6, and your efficiency drops to just 17 city and 24 highway for a combined rating of 20 mpg. You can get better mileage in a Ram 1500.
Interior and tech
The Stinger is comfortable but not cushy, refined but not glamorous, well built but not polished. The back seat is roomier and easier on the rear end (and the knees) than in most premium sedans, but more cramped than in an Accord or, indeed, the K5. Standard features include a 10.25-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, a wireless charging pad, and an integrated navigation system, along with the following massive suite of driver assistance tech:
- Forward collision mitigation
- Lane-keeping assist
- Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
- Navigation-based adaptive cruise control
- Rear passenger safe exit system
- Parking sensors
Safety and reliability
All that tech serves the Stinger extraordinarily well when it comes to expert testing. NHTSA gives the 2022 Stinger a perfect five stars, and, like the K5, it’s a 2022 IIHS Top Safety Pick+.
The Stinger also matches its affordable sibling in reliability ratings. While RepairPal doesn’t list a reliability score for the Stinger, Consumer Reports gives it a 3/5 predicted reliability score, while J.D. Power puts it at 84/100 for quality and reliability.
Trim levels
There are three versions of the 2022 Kia Stinger: the GT-Line, the GT1, and the GT2. The GT-Line has everything you’d expect from a car like this, from heated front seats and leather upholstery to keyless entry with push-button start. For an extra $2,300 MSRP, you can add the Sun and Sound Package, which includes a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a sunroof, and a 15-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system.
The GT1 prioritizes performance upgrades over aesthetics and convenience, though you will add LED interior lighting and the sunroof and seat controls from the Sun and Sound Package. But the real meat of the GT1 trim lies in a limited-slip rear differential for FWD models, a torque-vectoring rear differential for AWD models, Brembo brakes, and launch control to help optimize acceleration.
Finally, there’s the GT2, with everything from an adaptive suspension and auto-dimming mirrors to a head-up display and surround-view camera system. You’ll also get a ton of upscale premium finishes and, with the Scorpion Special Edition Package, some seriously cool exterior upgrades.
Competitors
The Kia Stinger sits in an odd middle ground (a sweet spot, for some buyers) between mass-market midsize sedans like the K5 and true luxury sedans. Here’s how it compares to
some pricier executive cars.
Model | MSRP range | Base powertrain | Fuel economy | Safety ratings | Reliability ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$36,290 to $53,690 | 300-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard RWD | 17-22 mpg city/24-32 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 3/5 (Consumer Reports), 84/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$55,900 to $69,500 | 261-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and standard AWD | 21-23 mpg city/30-32 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 2.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 63/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$40,950 to $50,130 | 302-hp 3.5-liter V6 w/eight-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 22 mpg city/32 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.0/5.0 (RepairPal), 4/5 (Consumer Reports), 87/100 (J.D. Power) | |
$38,900 to $54,500 | 272-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder w/10-speed automatic transmission and standard FWD | 19-22 mpg city/25-31 mpg hwy | 5 stars (NHTSA), Top Safety Pick+ (IIHS) | 4.5/5.0 (RepairPal), 5/5 (Consumer Reports), 75/100 (J.D. Power) |
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MORE:
Is a Kia a luxury car?
How to save on Kia insurance
Both the K5 and the Stinger are budget-friendly cars in their way—but insurance premiums for these midsize picks can get pretty steep, particularly if you’ve chosen a higher trim level.
Luckily,
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Is a Kia Optima a midsize car?
Yes! The Kia Optima is the old version of what’s now called the K5. The Optima name was discontinued in 2020, but it’s the same midsize car.
Does Kia have a mid-size SUV?
Yes—two of them! The three-row Kia Telluride is one of the best midsize SUVs on the market, while the Kia Sorento is a smaller, less impressive midsize crossover. Other Kia SUVs include the subcompact Kia Soul and Kia Seltos and the compact Kia Sportage (and Sportage Hybrid) and Kia Niro.
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