I’ve had my 2025 K5 GT1 in matte gray for a month now (previously owned an Optima SXL). While the car drives great, there are some issues I’ll probably learn to live with.
No AWD, which seems strange.
Lacks interior ambient LEDs.
Despite the matte gray paint, there are several shiny chrome parts (I plan to do a chrome delete, but it would have been nice if it came stock).
Limited green accents, with only the brakes and seat/door stitching in green. No green color option in navigation, and the black stitching on the floor mats, seatbelts, shifter, and dashboard is a missed opportunity—why not add some color to the steering wheel too?
It leans a bit in corners for a “sport-tuned” car, but I might solve that with an upper strut bar in the future.
It’s odd that Kia didn’t promote a matte green color option for the GTs to attract enthusiasts.
The GT logo on the back is understated and resembles the GT Line logo with “Line” cut off. A green version would have been a nice touch.
The GT1 should come with an autodimming mirror as standard. It’s easy to add, but it’s another item missing.
Feel free to agree or disagree. Still, I love my GT1—it’s the best car I’ve ever owned!
I installed a nice strut brace and some 15mm spacers on my 2023 GT1. The car feels like a total go-kart now—no leaning at all. I also custom-made larger GT emblems for the front and rear wings, which adds a much-needed “look at me!” factor.
I have the 2024 GT1, and it’s quite ironic that you mentioned the shiny chrome pieces. Not only are they shiny for me, but they’ve actually come flying off while I was driving twice already, and I’m still waiting for the replacement for the second one. I’m really not happy about it. I also had an Optima that I loved, with no complaints at all—it’s a beautiful car!