New year, new price: The 2026 Kia K5 got a price bump abroad, and we’re still waiting in PH

If the Kia K5 ever makes its way to the Philippines, buyers might need to brace for a slightly higher price tag. The Kia K5 is getting a bit more expensive for 2026, but not by much. Kia added $420 USD, or around P24,000, across all trims, bringing the new starting price to $28,565 USD, which is approximately P1.68 million including destination fees. That’s only a slight increase compared to last year, and the most expensive version now reaches $36,065 USD, or  P2.12 million. For now, the only sedan Kia officially sells in the country is the Soluto, so we’ll have to wait and see if the K5 ever gets added to the local lineup.

Most of the features added in 2025 are still present, including the Bose sound system, a power-adjustable driver seat, a heated steering wheel, and power folding mirrors. These upgrades helped justify last year’s bigger price jump, and for 2026, Kia decided to keep things mostly the same, so not much else has changed for this new model year. The 2026 K5 still comes in five trims. Four are front-wheel drive, and the GT-Line remains the only one available with all-wheel drive. A small design change was made to the GT variant, which no longer has the GT badge on its brake calipers, but that’s about it.

The engine options also stay the same. The GT still runs on a turbocharged 2.5-liter engine that makes 290 hp and 422 Nm. The other trims use a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter engine that puts out 191 hp and 245 Nm. The regular models are paired with an eight-speed automatic, while the GT uses an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Even with the price increase, the K5 continues to sell well. After the 2025 refresh, sales have picked up again. Kia is on track to sell nearly 70,000 units this year, which could match or beat its 2023 numbers. While it's still far from the 92,000 units sold back in 2021, it’s a sign that the K5 still has strong appeal. We still don’t know for sure if this updated K5 will land in the Philippines, but we can keep our fingers crossed. It still fits the budget-friendly sedan category, so there’s hope. While we wait, check out the current Kia models on AutoDeal.com.ph and see which one fits your style.