Driven: 2025 Kia K4 – A Small Car That Makes A Big Impression

The 2025 Kia K4 joins the brand’s lineup as an all-new model, sitting below the larger K5. It’s the direct replacement for Kia’s Forte, which has been discontinued. Also on the horizon is a hatchback version of the K4, but Kia has yet to say exactly when it will arrive. With modern styling, impressive tech, and sporty trim options, the K4 aims to set a new standard for compact sedans. Whether you’re looking for affordability or performance, the K4 offers something for everyone.

The K4 went on sale in 2024 already, enhancing the Kia model range and forming a crucial part of why the brand had such impressive 2024 sales. I had the opportunity to test drive the GT-Line Turbo trim, which sits at the very top of the five-trim lineup. It delivers the quality and affordability for which Kia is known, combined with a sporty edge. It’s affordable, not fancy, but it’s still a fun car to drive, and here’s why.

Exterior Looks: Bold Yet Practical

The 2025 Kia K4 has an aerodynamic profile with a sloped roofline. The GT-Line Turbo stands out with its 18-inch black alloy wheels, gloss-black accents, and LED projector headlights while satin chrome trim adds an upscale touch. It’s an attractive and somewhat sporty sedan, but it’s not aggressive. Especially in its lower trims, it tends to blend in with the pack. There’s also a uniquely placed rear door handle up on the side of the door along the window. It looks fine, but will confuse everyone the first time they try to open the door.

As far as dimensions go, the 2025 Kia K4 rides on a 107.1-inch wheelbase and stretches 185.4 inches in length. It’s 72.8 inches wide, and stands 55.9 inches tall; as a compact sedan, this car makes a big impression.

Interior & On-Board Technology: Comfort Meets Utility

Inside, the K4 offers 42.3 inches of front legroom and 38 inches in the rear. The Honda Civic sedan is less spacious in the back, while the Mazda3 sedan offers only 35.1 inches in the rear seat. The VW Jetta is closer in terms of space in the back, but is still under par up front for leg room. Even the evergreen Toyota Corolla is less roomy. This makes the K4 a better option for passenger comfort, especially for those sitting in the back. Even with that sloped roofline, there’s good headroom for taller adults. Two will be plenty comfortable even on long trips and three will be fine for all but the lengthiest of road trips.

Cloth seating surfaces are standard with higher trims adding imitation leather and 10-way power adjustability for the driver’s seat. Heated and ventilated front seats and automatic dual-zone climate control are also available. It’s not a luxurious interior, but it’s surprisingly comfortable and attractive with good amenities for the price.

Infotainment: Intuitive And Responsive

Standard features include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless smartphone connectivity, and two USB-C charging ports each for the front and rear passengers. The screen is crisp and responsive, making it easy to use even for passengers new to the vehicle. Standard audio includes four speakers, but an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system significantly ups the experience on top trims.

Performance: Spirited Yet Efficient

There’s a choice of two engines starting with a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder with 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This is paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission. There’s also an optional 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder on the GT-Line Turbo trim that delivers 190 horsepower with 195 lb-ft of torque paired to an 8-speed automatic. The base engine is on par with the Honda Civic sedan, which offers 150 hp while the Toyota Corolla sedan falls in the middle with 169 horsepower. Neither has an option that offers the power of Kia’s turbo.

VW’s Jetta comes with 158 hp and 184 lb-ft as standard, which is much closer to Kia’s turbo version. Whereas the K4’s base engine will scuttle the sedan to 60 mph in around 8.6 seconds, a base Jetta is much quicker, needing just a hair over seven seconds to complete the sprint. That’s beaten by the turbocharged GT-Line Turbo, which drops below seven seconds, courtesy of 190 hp.

Performance Impressions

The base engine delivers good acceleration, but it’s not robust and has limited power left for passing at higher speeds. It’s fine for cruising, but it lacks punch. The turbocharged engine is far more responsive. It accelerates strongly and has ample power to pass slow vehicles on the highway. Unfortunately, it’s only available on the top trim of the K4 making it the most expensive, but if performance is a priority, this is the trim to pick.

Ride and Handling

The K4 delivers a smooth ride that makes it an ideal highway cruiser. We previously drove both engines at the launch of the K4 late last year and found that both delivered a well-mannered ride. There is some tire noise and wind noise, but it’s not overly intrusive. The turbocharged option not only adds power but has a sport-tuned suspension system that makes it far more fun on winding roads. That suspension system improves handling, but it does make road imperfections more noticeable. Still, we preferred it for the superior driving experience.

Fuel Economy

While those are good fuel economy figures with the base engine, the Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta, and Honda Civic sedan either meet or slightly exceed those figures depending on the trim you choose.

Verdict & Pricing: Setting The Bar For The Class

With a starting price of $21,990 for the LX trim and $28,090 for the fully-loaded GT-Line Turbo excluding $1,175 destination, the 2025 Kia K4 delivers exceptional value. Especially in the top trim, it has sharp styling, a beautiful interior, and a responsive ride that makes its price point an absolute steal. Though the base engine isn’t as engaging, it’s still solid, and with a price just over $20K, it’s a great option for tight budgets.

A balance of style, technology, and performance makes the Kia K4 a standout in the segment and a stronger option than the aging Forte it replaces. It has a comfortable ride, an attractive interior, and two responsive engines that prove an affordable car doesn’t have to be boring. This is a sedan that won’t break your budget, but also one you’ll look forward to driving every day.