German luxury sedans offer plenty of allure, but they also demand a price that few people can actually afford.This is only made worse if you want a back seat that can actually comfortably fit an adult.At the top of the trim ladder of a Korean mid-size sedan, however, sits a model that delivers most of what you'd want from a German luxury sedan for a fraction of the price.
For under $35,000, this sedan is an underrated bargain.It packs a punch, with a powerful turbocharged engine that puts down more power than a lot of German luxury options.It also comes with an impressively plush interior, loaded with high-quality materials and modern tech features.
If you're looking for something a little more exciting than a Toyota Camry but not as expensive as a BMW 330i, this affordable car splits the difference incredibly well.In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Kia and other authoritative sources, including the EPA.Related This $35,000 used luxury SUV delivers a Mercedes-level interior for RAV4 money Capitalizing on steep early depreciation means you can get this lightly used luxury SUV for a bargain of a price.
Posts By Tyler Dupont The 2027 Kia K5 GT is a well-rounded sporty sedan under $35k A more exciting and upscale experience than its price suggests Close If you want a German luxury sedan, you're going to spend around $50,000 to start.If you want a spacious back seat, you're going to spend a whole lot more.For those that aren't badge snobs, there is a mainstream option that punches well above its weight.
It might not be quite as sporty, but it offers a lot of the driving experience for thousands less.The Kia K5 GT is an almost sports sedan with a plush interior that most people can actually afford.The GT sits at the top of the trim ladder Model (2027) Starting MSRP LXS $27,690 GT-Line $28,690 GT $33,790 As far as mid-size sedans go, the K5 is one of the more affordable options on the market.
It undercuts the segment's most popular choices, the Honda Accord and the Toyota Camry.For its price, it offers one of the nicest cabins, and it comes with an incredibly long list of standard features.Its curb appeal is also impressively high, with aggressive lines along the sheetmetal that make it look quite muscular.
While the LXS and GT-Line offer great value for money, if you're after a sportier driving experience, then the full-monty GT model is the way to go.It comes with a much spicier powertrain under the hood and some other performance-oriented bits of kit that make it quite fun from behind the wheel.It also offers more luxuries than you would expect at this price point, such as a panoramic sunroof, LED interior lighting, 19-inch wheels, and a premium sound system.
Related The compact luxury SUV that BMW and Mercedes probably wish didn't exist Premium comfort, cutting-edge tech, and impressive value make this compact SUV hard to ignore.Posts By Tyler Dupont Under the hood sits an overachieving turbocharged four-pot More power than German rivals Despite costing thousands less than some luxury sports sedans out of Germany, like the BMW 330i or Mercedes-Benz C300, Kia's K5 GT actually packs more power under the hood.While it might not be quite as sporty in terms of driving dynamics, it is a lot more fun than the average family sedan, and will make your daily commute a lot less boring.
So close to being a sports sedan Engine 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-four Transmission 8-speed DCT Horsepower 290 HP Torque 311 LB-FT Driveline FWD 0-60 MPH 5.2 seconds Top speed 155 MPH Other trims in the K5 lineup are powered by a fairly tepid 191-horsepower naturally aspirated four-pot.The GT model adds a turbocharger into the mix, boosting output to a genuinely impressive 290 horses.The GT is also the only model that comes with an exciting dual-clutch automatic which can be shifted via paddles on the steering wheel.
While the GT-Line model can be had with all-wheel drive, the fully-fledged GT unfortunately sends power exclusively to the front wheels.The K5 GT's performance is pretty incredible for its price point.It gets going off the line quite quickly, and its suspension tuning makes it feel alive in the corners.
Its steering is also exceptional.It is quick, accurate, and very communicative.Large green GT brakes also give it some great stopping power.
It comes so close to being a genuine sports sedan, and we think that if Kia had given it a limited-slip differential instead of an open diff, it would have elevated the K5 to a whole other level.Related The luxury SUV that makes Germany's base models harder to justify The 2026 Acura RDX delivers 272 hp and a generous list of standard features, making the base Audi Q5, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC harder to justify.Posts By Adam Gray Kia offers exceptional interior luxury for an affordable mainstream sedan Spacious and packed with standard tech Close The K5 is a mid-size sedan, which means it isn't nearly as cramped in the back as entry-level luxury sedans like the BMW 3-Series.
It might not quite reach the same levels of luxury, but the Korean automaker definitely exceeds expectations at this price point.The GT model is particularly nice, coming with a full host of high-end features.Sporty, spacious, and comfortable Front row headroom 38.4 inches Front row legroom 46.1 inches Second row headroom 37.4 inches Second row legroom 35.2 inches Cargo capacity 15.6 cubic feet We think that most people are better off in a mid-size sedan, like the K5, than in an SUV.
There is more than enough space in Kia's sedan for adults to comfortably stretch out, even in the back seat.While the stated rear seat legroom dimensions aren't impressive, the front seat has a lot of room to slide forward.Cargo space is reasonable for a mid-size sedan, with there being enough room in the trunk for a couple of weekend bags.
The build quality is fantastic in the K5 and its cabin design is better than most of its rivals.The GT model is particularly nice, and comes with plenty of sporty flares.It gets a leather-wrapped flat-bottom steering wheel and sports seats with faux leather upholstery and contrasting green stitching.
Adding the GT1 package is also well worth it as it adds things like heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a bevy of other tech features which we will dive into below.An eight-way power adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support is standard, with the GT1 package giving the front passenger the same kit.Kia is ahead of the curve in terms of tech The K5 comes standard with a 12.3-inch infotainment screen.
It sits on top of the dashboard, sharing a bezel with the gauge cluster.The graphics on the system are crisp, and it is very easy to navigate.Opt for the GT1 package, and you get a fully digital 12.3-inch gauge cluster which offers a pretty high level of customization.
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Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on every model.The K5 also comes with a number of USB ports and a standard wireless smartphone charging pad.It also gets ambient interior lighting.
The GT1 package adds quite a lot of tech, including a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot view monitor, digital key capability, and a 12-speaker Bose sound system.The K5 GT punches above its price in just about every category We think that Kia has knocked it out of the park with their sporty mid-size sedan.While we think that a few tweaks could have made it more entertaining from behind the wheel, it is genuinely quick and more engaging than its similarly priced rivals.
It is spacious on the inside and packed with a bevy of modern tech features, with its cabin feeling more upscale than you'd expect from a $35,000 sedan.It's not perfect, but it offers phenomenal value for money and isn't anywhere near as mundane as other mainstream sedans, which makes it special in our eyes.
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