Kia Drops Cheap December Lease For 2026 K5—How Does The Camry Compare?

The Kia K5 is one of the more desirable options in the generally conservative midsize sedan segment. Not only does it boast snazzy styling, but the base model is affordable and there’s a spicy turbocharged model at the top of the range, something its Toyota Camry and Honda Accord rivals can’t match. If affordability is a priority, though, Kia is running two lease deals on the base K5 this month. Here’s a look at what’s available and how the deals compare to leasing the class-leading Camry.

Related: 2026 Toyota Camry Vs. 2026 Kia K5: 5 Major Differences

This Month’s Kia K5 Lease Deals

The Kia K5’s lease price starts at $279 per month over 24 months, with $3,469 due at signing. This deal specifically applies to specially tagged vehicles that qualify for $250 in bonus cash, and is exclusive to the base LXS trim. The deal excludes tax, title, licensing, and registration costs, but includes 10,000 miles annually. If you drive more than this, a cost of $0.20 per mile applies.

The other deal is for the same trim but costs $289 per month over 36 months, with $3,499 down. This one excludes the bonus cash, but is subject to the same mileage limit. Both of these Kia K5 leasing deals require lessees to take delivery by January 2, 2026. These deals are in California, so be sure to check Kia’s special offers for deals that may be different in your state.

If you’d rather buy than lease a Kia K5, the 2026 prices are as follows:

• LXS: $27,390
• GT-Line: $28,390
• GT: $33,490
• EX: $34,890

The starting price of the 2026 K5 is $1,610 less than the base Camry.

Powertrain and Features

Most Kia K5s have a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic are standard, while all-wheel drive is optional. This powertrain gets the job done and efficiency is fair at 30 mpg, but it’s no match for the base Camry, which is both more powerful and far more efficient.

If you go for the K5 GT, it has a 2.5L four-cylinder turbocharged engine with 290 hp and 311 lb-ft. Not only is it a lot quicker than any Camry or Accord, but the sporty eight-speed dual-clutch transmission makes the K5 GT surprisingly fun to drive for a family-friendly sedan.

The Kia K5 LXS featured in this month’s lease deals has 16-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, but does without the LED fog lights and panoramic sunroof of pricier trims. Standard features on this base trim include cloth upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a six-speaker sound system, front/rear parking sensors, forward collision warning, and smart cruise control. At the price, it’s a reasonable specification and similar to key rivals.

Related: 2026 Toyota Camry vs 2026 Kia K5 vs 2026 Hyundai Sonata: 5 Major Differences

How Does The K5’s Lease Compare To The Camry’s?

Including the initial payment, the Kia K5’s lease offers start at $10,165 (in total) over 24 months or a total of $13,903 over 36 months. The 2026 Toyota Camry LE costs $14,660 to lease, but that’s over a longer 39-month period. Over 36 months, the Camry’s lease cost is $13,763, which is slightly below the K5’s 36-month lease cost.

Both cars are quite cheap to lease, but the Camry’s standard powertrain with better power (225 hp) and much better efficiency (51 mpg combined) make it a better deal in our view. If, however, you plan to buy one of these cars and keep them for a long time, the Kia has a superior 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty (five years and 60,000 miles for the Toyota) and a lower starting price.

*Disclaimer: This article is provided for informational purposes only. The information presented herein is based on manufacturer-provided lease offer information, which is subject to frequent change and may vary based on location, creditworthiness, and other factors. We are not a party to any lease agreements and assume no liability for the terms, conditions, availability, or accuracy of any lease offers mentioned. All terms, including but not limited to pricing, mileage allowances, and residual values, require direct verification with an authorized local OEM dealership. This article does not constitute financial advice or an endorsement of any particular lease or vehicle.