2025 Kia K4 First Drive Review: A New Entry-Level Contender

The 2025 Kia K4 is an all-new compact sedan that replaces the discontinued Forte. It’s a sexy, sporty-looking sedan with a roomy rear seat and a spacious trunk together with an excellent vary of options. It’s provided with a selection of two gasoline engines, relying on the trim. There’s additionally a hatchback model of the K4 slated for the US, however the timing on that one hasn’t been revealed.

What the K4 doesn’t supply is a hybrid powertrain for these trying to benefit from their gas financial system. It’s additionally obtainable solely with front-wheel drive, which makes it much less interesting for individuals who dwell the place it snows. Regardless of missing these options, the K4 gives a strong assortment of ordinary options with pricing beginning at simply $21,990, not together with $1,155 vacation spot. It is possible to assist Kia proceed its current gross sales streak alongside high sellers just like the three-row Telluride and electrical EV6.

First Drive occasions present our preliminary impressions of a car in a restricted atmosphere below sure time constraints. Regulate CarBuzz for our complete Check Drive evaluation which can observe quickly.

Exterior Seems: Compact Dimensions With Sporty Fashion

The K4 is a sexy little sedan with nice styling. It’s not typically that an inexpensive, entry-level mannequin will get eye-catching particulars, however the K4 is kind of the looker. Particularly up entrance, with a singular lighting therapy that has change into one thing of a trademark of Kia design. There are 16-inch metal wheels, LED multi-focus reflector headlights, and a black grille with painted steel trim. The extra modest styling of the bottom trim will get a lift in greater trim ranges with the highest GT-Line Turbo including bigger 18-inch wheels, LED projector-type headlights, and a singular bumper and grille with chrome trim. One quirk of the design that you’re going to both love or hate is the rear door deal with placement. It is up by the facet of the rear window and can confuse your passengers.

Inside & On-Board Expertise: Not The Fanciest, However Seems Good

The inside of the K4 is surprisingly roomy for a compact sedan with comfy and supportive entrance seats. Seating supplies starting from fabric to SynTex imitation leather-based are engaging with obtainable options together with a 10-way energy driver’s seat and heated and ventilated entrance seats so as to add a premium contact.

Unsurprisingly, the bottom trim is a bit plain, but it surely’s nonetheless engaging. And the consolation is there irrespective of the trim stage. The improved options as you progress up the lineup do, nonetheless, make a giant distinction within the passenger expertise with out sending the value sky-high. The K4 is a sexy, comfy, and well-equipped automobile for the value throughout the lineup.

Infotainment: A number of Display screen Choices

Base trims get a fairly small four-inch TFT instrument cluster, however a lot of the lineup will get a a lot better 12.3-inch cluster. Commonplace on each trim is a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen with 4-speaker audio, USB-C ports for entrance and rear passengers, and wi-fi smartphone connectivity. Audio will get higher with an eight-speaker Harman Kardon system on high trims, which additionally will get wi-fi charging. The system works nicely with key customary options, even on base trims.

How It Drives: Go For The Turbo

We had the chance to strive each engines at Kia’s first drive occasion. The bottom engine was responsive sufficient, however there’s a noticeable distinction whenever you step as much as the turbo. Don’t, nonetheless, suppose you’re getting a sports activities automobile simply because it’s turbocharged as an alternative of naturally aspirated. Acceleration is robust, however not aggressive – which is okay for the place this sedan is located available in the market.

It is easy to stand up to freeway speeds and there is energy sufficient when you’re there for passing slower automobiles. The eight-speed transmission was clean with well-modulated shifts for even energy supply.

Journey and Dealing with

The journey within the K4 is clean, however there’s a little bit of wind noise. Tough, uneven pavement is properly muted and will not rattle passengers, however the tire noise is noticeable. Nonetheless, we discovered the K4 has a pleasant journey that will not have passengers counting the minutes till the tip of the journey, and for the motive force, it handles nicely general with responsive steering, even when it is not particularly crisp. This can be a extra relaxed, laid again journey, not an attractive one for driving fans.

Gas Economic system

Those that have lengthy commutes will admire the gas financial system of the K4. The bottom engine will get 30/40/34 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed, which is kind of good. Go for the extra highly effective turbocharged engine and the numbers drop to 26/36/29 mpg respectively. It is a noticeable drop, but it surely’s not one which’s going to interrupt the financial institution as gas costs rise.

Verdict & Pricing: A Enjoyable And Reasonably priced Small {Car}

The introduction of the K4 to the Kia lineup offers entry-level patrons and anybody on a finances a brand new possibility. It has nice model, good options, and a robust turbocharged engine possibility. The bottom engine is much less thrilling, but it surely does supply nice gas financial system, so select your engine accordingly.

Not each inexpensive automobile is one which’s good to drive. It is a tough steadiness to maintain pricing down with out making a automobile really feel low-cost, however Kia does an excellent job with the K4. It is not fancy, but it surely’s not a plain Jane both. Patrons on a finances will discover a lot to love about this new compact sedan.