The Kia K5 does 31 mpg combined (27.3 city, 37.3 highway), which works out to about $1,239 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.6L 4-cyl does 31.5 mpg while 2.5L 4-cyl does 30 — a difference of $61 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Kia K5 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Kia K5 ranges from 31.5 down to 30 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $61 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl | 28 / 37.5 | 2021–2024 | $1,219 | |
| 2.5L 4-cyl | 26 / 37 | 2025–2026 | $1,280 |
What that actually costs
The Kia K5 burns a gallon every 31 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 387 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.103 |
| Fuel per year | $1,239 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,195 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$255 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,017 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Kia K5 gives up 10 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 37.3 out there against 27.3 in town, a 37% drop worth $378 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 27.3 mpg | $1,407 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 37.3 mpg | $1,029 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10 mpg (37%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the K5 changed over the years
The K5 peaked in 2022 at 32 mpg (29 city, 38 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2026 at 30 — 2 mpg apart, or $80 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 30. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 37 | 1 | $1,280 | |
| 2024 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2023 | 27 / 37 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2022 | 29 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 | |
| 2021 | 29 / 38 | 1 | $1,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Kia K5 — 2 engines across 2021–2026. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $2,017. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Kia K5 get?
31 mpg combined on average — 27.3 in the city and 37.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2021–2026.
How much does a Kia K5 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,239 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,195 over five years, or 0.103 dollars a mile.
Which K5 engine is the most economical?
The 1.6L 4-cyl at 31.5 mpg, against 30 for the 2.5L 4-cyl — a difference of about $61 a year.
Is the K5 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world K5 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Kia K5 is $2,017 against the $1,239 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 32 and 30 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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