Kia K5 2027 Facelift: New Taillights, TMED-II Hybrid and Release Date

© A. Krivonosov / SPEEDME

The design of the second-facelift Kia K5 has partially leaked thanks to an unusual transport method for the prototype: the car was riding inside a truck with transparent side panels. The photos show production-ready taillight housings with a straighter, more vertical graphic, replacing the current zig-zag “Star Map” signature. The front lighting may still be a placeholder, so it’s too early to call the design fully revealed.

According to KoreanCarBlog, the project carries the internal code DL3 PE2 and is due in the first half of 2027. Kia isn’t developing a new platform — it’s reworking the generation that debuted back in 2019. That approach should keep the K5 in production until at least 2030, with a production target above 80,000 cars a year.

The headline technical change is the new TMED-II hybrid system. Kia has officially stated that its next-generation hybrid tech improves efficiency and output by more than 4%, supports V2L power output for external devices, and adds extra electronic traction-control functions. Whether the full feature set lands on the K5 specifically is still confirmed only by unofficial sources.

Inside, expect a roughly 17-inch central display running a new software platform, while some physical climate-control buttons should stick around. SPEEDME.RU previously explained why Kia decided to keep the K5 alive until 2030 by betting on hybrid power instead of a full redesign.

The current K5 starts at 27.63 million won in South Korea. The lineup still includes the 160-hp 2.0-liter gasoline engine, the 180-hp 1.6 Turbo, and a hybrid version.

For now, the leak mainly confirms the new lighting signature. Kia is expected to reveal the engine lineup, pricing, and the final design closer to the official unveiling.