As you may have noticed, the compact crossover/SUV is pretty much the de facto family car these days. But there are still plenty of folks who would prefer a small sedan or hatch. Cars like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla still sell well.
And so did the Kia Forte, a small sedan we really liked, especially in the sportier trims. Well, the Forte was getting long in the tooth, so Kia has brought out its replacement, the all-new K4. Designed to be a better fit into the current Kia lineup, does it have the goods to compete against the big guns from Toyota and Honda? Let’s find out!
Sleek Sedan
While we always liked the Forte’s European looks, the K4 goes for something different, looking like other Kia models, while trying to be one of the bolder players in the market.
K4 has he widest footprint in its class, and it certainly looks that way. Up front, the look is wide and low, with a more horizontal Kia “Tiger Nose” grille. Kia says the vertically oriented amber driving and LED projection headlights and fog lights that Kia says are inspired by the flagship EV9 SUV, while blacked out trim and grilles give a sporty vibe. It’s a unique look that is instantly identifiable as a KIA – all good by us.
Even sportier is the profile that looks long and low, with a small greenhouse, and a roofline that plunges at the back for a sporty vibe. Adding to that, the rear door handles are hidden in the black pillars, giving off a large 2-door coupe look that’s very attractive. While the design looks like the K4 is hatchback, it is in fact a traditional sedan with trunk. But good news for those who may want more cargo space, a hatchback model is following soon. Finishing off the looks on our GT-Line Turbo model were handsome blacked-out 18-inch alloys.
Like the front, the rear emphasizes the width with an LED light bar that spans the rear of the car, while vertical LED taillights echo the headlight design. We always like to mention that stylish KIA script badge that we think is very fresh. Keeping things extra fresh, our tester was finished in an optional Snow White Pearl, with a deep pearlescent that shimmers in the sun –a nice, crisp way to show off the contrasting black trim throughout the GT-Line exterior.
Dash-ing Interior
Inside, the look is sporty and upscale. Open the door and your eye is drawn to the wide digital display that spans half the dash and sets a wide horizontal vibe. Kia calls the system the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit and with nearly 30 inches of digital display seamlessly connected it looks like something you’d expect in a pricey Audi, BMW and even the high-end Kia models like the EV9. We also liked the large panoramic size sunroof that still tilts and opens – keeping our interior light and breezy.
We like the unique shape to the steering wheel, with flattened top and bottoms for a squared off look that blends nicely with the dashboard design. In the middle of the three steering spokes is a drive mode button which is really handy, and the other wheel-mounted controls are easy to decipher and operate. And we love the KIA logo is justified to right on the horn button. Stylish!
Style does get in the way a little as the steering wheel does block some of the 5-inch display for climate controls, but dedicated buttons below the info-tainment display makes for easy controls of key features. We also loved the “tumbler” volume control in the center of the dash. The overall set up is a great blend of digital goodness, with enough manual controls to keep things simple – a great alternative to things like the haptic/slider controls on models like VWs.
The info-tainment system works easily, and our Apple CarPlay and WAZE looked great on the big screen. We also like Kia’s interface, which has BMW like tiles for the overview and then funnels down into the key information you want easily and quickly. And to help keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, just say, “Hey Kia” to gain voice-control access to functions such as climate control and audio.
You also feel like you get a lot for your dollar, and our tester included heated and ventilated front seats, with memory function for the driver’s seat and mirrors, multiple charging points, wireless smartphone charger, dual-zone climate control, surround view monitor, multi-color LED ambient lighting and a thumping Harmon Kardon Premium audio system.
Tech goes hand in hand with room, Kia saying the K4 for has best in class rear legroom, and it does feel spacious. That sloping roofline cuts into the headroom, but only for those over 5’10” or so. The trunk is also nice size, and the rear seats also fold easily to make a large cargo hold. If you need more space, the upcoming hatchback may be a better choice, but the K4 sedan gives proof that you don’t have to buy a crossover or SUV just to get a good amount of room.
Turbo Fun
Stylish and well-equipped, the K4 can be great fun to drive, too.
If you opt for the base model, you’ll get a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder pumping out 147 horsepower. We guess it will be tuned more for efficiency than power and combined with a CVT transmission the 40-mpg highway rating does sound thrifty.
Since we love to drive, we’d opt for the 1.6-liter, turbo 4-cylinder in the GT line, with a much more powerful 190 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque. Replacing the very sporty DCT transmission in the Forte is now an 8-speed automatic, and it is an excellent transmission – smooth in the daily and very quick shifting in Sport mode. Paddle shifters add to the fun.
This is a sporty sounding engine, and it pulls hard – we especially like the loads of low-end power and how you get a satisfying a push in the back when you hit the throttle. The GT-Line wants to be driven!
It also likes a twisty road. GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo models get an upgraded multi-link rear suspension (a simpler torsion beam is standard on other models), and that smooths out the ride and gives more precision when you’re throwing it around. In Sport mode, the steering firms up – it really doesn’t enhance feel much – but the quicker response to throttle and quicker shift program for the automatic made it the mode we kept our tester in 90% of the time.
The ride quality is smooth, and the noise levels are impressively low. Overall, we came away feeling our K4 was like a baby Audi, with a level of refinement and creaminess that feels more expensive than the asking price.
Kia and sibling Hyundai have been loading up their vehicles with safety gear and the K4 is no exception, with all models getting the ADAS suite, including standard Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go, and an advance collision avoidance that can detect vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
Stepping up to the GT-Line Turbo offers an optional Forward Collision Avoidance that detects vehicles crossing through an intersection, help avoid a collision with oncoming vehicles, blind spot view monitor that gives you a camera image on the dash when you signal a turn, and collision avoidance when in reverse. All this and we also loved the Surround View monitor that gives you a great birds-eye and side view that makes parking a snap.
OK, how much for the K?
Kia remains a strong value player as well. You can get into an LX for $21,990, with that digital display, roomy interior and loads of tech, an outstanding value. Our GT-Line Turbo is the most expensive model and still comes in at a reasonable $28,090. We had a few tasty options, including Snow White Pearl paint ($395), GT-Line red interior color package ($295), and the GT-Line turbo technology package ($2,200). Add in $1,155 for destination, and we rang the bell at $32,135.
In this segment, you’d want to look at the Honda Civic, and we loved the new hybrid model, at $33,555. If you carry lots of people, the K4’s extra space and amenities are nicer for those in back. And we prefer the Kia’s automatic to the CVT in the Honda, but overall, the Civic is excellent. We also like the sleek new Toyota Prius, at $36,500 it’s a bit more pricey than the K4, but also shares a futuristic vibe.
Sleek looks, roomy interior, loads of tech and zippy turbo performance, the 2025 Kia K4 is a great small sedan!
Ben Lewis grew up in Chicago, and after spending his formative years driving sideways in the winter – often intentionally – moved to sunny Southern California. He now enjoys sunny weather year-round — whether it is autocross driving, aerobatics, and learning to surf.