2026 Kia K5 EX: Manahawkin Buyers Guide

The top trim, but not the fast one

This trips up a fair number of shoppers browsing by price alone: EX is the most expensive 2026 K5, but it isn't the quickest. Under the hood it's the same naturally aspirated 191-hp four and eight-speed automatic as the base LXS — the money here goes into the cabin, not the drivetrain. If outright performance is the priority, the GT guide in this series covers the turbo trim that actually costs less. If a genuinely upscale interior with every comfort feature standard is the priority, EX is unmatched in the lineup, and that's a real and common preference — plenty of sedan buyers would rather have ventilated seats on a July drive to Beach Haven than 100 extra horsepower they'll rarely use.

What "standard, no package required" means here

Every other K5 trim gates its best features behind an options package. EX doesn't. The panoramic sunroof, the Bose 12-speaker system with Active Sound Design, the 12.3-inch curved ccNC display with built-in navigation, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, rear climate vents, wood-look (hydrographic) dash trim, and the Surround View and Blind View camera systems that make tight parking lots painless are all included at the $34,990 sticker — nothing extra to check off. The 8-way power front passenger seat and 2-position Integrated Memory System round out a cabin that reads closer to a near-luxury sedan than a mainstream Kia.

Who buys the EX here

Buyers upgrading from an older K5 or a competing sedan who've decided they want every comfort feature without cross-shopping a luxury badge, and repeat Kia owners who know exactly what they're trading up for. This is the trim where the sales approach matters most, since it's the largest check in the K5 lineup — and it's also where Joe Bohner's name comes up most often in this store's reviews. One buyer working with him on a Kia purchase described the pace: "He followed up periodically, but never pressured me or overwhelmed me with calls and texts, which I really appreciated." Another buyer, upgrading between K5 model years, credited the same unhurried style: "Joe Bohner was very helpful, informative and easy to work with." That's the pattern EX-tier buyers — often making the most considered decision in the lineup — tend to respond to.

Frequently asked questions

How much does the 2026 K5 EX cost?

$34,990 MSRP plus the $1,245 destination charge, New Jersey's 6.625% sales tax, and fees — the highest sticker in the 2026 K5 range. The pricing & leasing guide covers how current programs apply against that number.

Why is the EX more expensive than the GT?

Kia prices the K5 lineup by content rather than strictly by performance. EX carries more standard luxury equipment — sunroof, premium audio, ventilated seats, advanced parking cameras, all included rather than optional — which pushes its sticker above the turbocharged GT, even though GT is the faster car.

Does the EX come with AWD?

No — EX is front-wheel drive only. All-wheel drive on the 2026 K5 is available exclusively on the GT-Line trim.

What's the fuel economy?

EPA-estimated 25 city / 36 highway / 29 combined on regular gas, matching the front-drive GT-Line since both share the same naturally aspirated engine and transmission.

Is the EX worth the jump over GT-Line?

If a panoramic sunroof, premium Bose audio, ventilated seats, and the advanced parking-camera suite matter to your daily drive, yes — those come standard on EX and require the Premium Package (plus you still won't get ventilated seats or memory settings) to approximate on GT-Line. If those features aren't a priority, GT-Line with the Premium Package gets close for less.

Where can I see an EX near Long Beach Island?

Check live inventory at Manahawkin Kia, 270 Route 72 East, minutes off Parkway exit 63.

The bottom line

EX is the K5 for buyers who've decided cabin comfort beats horsepower — the most fully equipped trim in the range, with nothing held back for an options list, priced at the top of the lineup on purpose.