2025 KIA K4

KIA RETURNS TO SMALL CAR ROOTS

WITH INTRODUCTION OF K4  SEDAN

Kia kind of gets back to its roots with the introduction of the 2025 Kia K4, a well-equipped compact sedan that replaces the Forte in the company’s stable.

A partner to the Kia K5 midsize sedan that replaced the Kia Optima back in 2021, the 2025 Kia K4 offers the latest technology and lots of room at a competitive price in a segment dominated by imports from Japan and its South Korean colleague Hyundai.

Styling is bolder than its Forte predecessor and when it comes to quality, the 2025 Kia K4 is miles ahead of the small Sephia sedan that along with the Sportage SUV marked the company’s first venture into the U.S. market.

Since earning a reputation in the 1990s of producing shall we say less than reliable vehicles, the overall quality of the Kia fleet has risen to the top of the charts. J.D. Power ranked the K4’s immediate predecessor, the 2024 Kia Forte, the highest in its listing of top compact cars last year.

The 2025 Kia K4 is offered in five trim levels. This review is based on the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo that sits at the top of a portfolio that also includes LS, LSX, EX, and GT-Line models, Most come with a 2.0 4-cylinder engine that tops out at 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The turbo inline-4 in the GT-Line Turbo bumps those figures up to 190 hp and 195 lb.-ft., which gives it a more satisfying performance.

All K4s run on regular gas with the power boost in the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo making it a bit thirstier with EPA fuel economy figures of 26 miles-per-gallon city, 36 highway, and 29 combined compared to 30/40/34 for the base LS and 29/39/33 for the other trims.

The GT-Line Turbo also gets an 8-speed automatic transmission with paddles for manual gear selection. Other trims come with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT),  which Kia dubs as “Intelligent.”

All 2025 Kia K4s are front wheel drive. GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo models ride on 18-inch wheels, other trims 16 or 17.

Inside a rather spacious cabin is where the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo stands out. Standard comfort and conveniences features include a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a wireless phone charger, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, power driver’s seat with power lumbar, Smart key with push-button and remote start, and a GT-Line Sport steering wheel. Seat surfaces are of cloth and Syntex synthetic material.

Safety systems include lane-keeping assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, forward collision avoidance assist,  rear-cross traffic collision avoidance, and navigation-based Smart cruise control.

Also included at no extra cost to the $28,090 starting MSRP were such features as a power sunroof, LED headlights, fog lights, and tail lamps, a Harmon Kardan premium sound system, and alloy sport pedals. It also came with a 1.4L Turbo engine.

A Technology Package added such features as a Smart phone digital key, memory driver’s seat, ventilated front seats, reverse parking collision avoidance, surround-view and blind-spot monitors, multi-color ambient lighting and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist2 system (adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go capability, and lane-centering assist).

All that plus the $1,155 destination and delivery fee ran the final total to $31,445.

What I liked about the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: A lot of friendly-to-operate tech features are included as standard. Hard buttons serve as easy access to some basic functions like the navigation map, radio, and AC blower and temp controls. The interior is comfortable and roomy with 42.1 inches of legroom up front and 38 in the rear. ‘the cargo area also is generous for the segment at 14.6 cubic feet. If you like large cupholders, you’ll love the ones on the console.

What I didn’t like about the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: No manual transmission or hybrid version is offered. You might expect a bit livelier performance from the turbo.

Would I buy the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo? The price line makes this very competitive in the segment making it a definite “yes” if shopping in the segment.