PREVIEW: 2025 KIA K4 THREATENS TO OUTGROW THE SMALL-SEDAN CLASS
Move over Forte. This new car boasts a massive screen, abundant safety tech, and more passenger space.
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line
By Jeff S. Bartlett
The 2025 Kia K4 replaces the Forte with a slightly larger sedan wrapped in a modern, geometric design aesthetic. It’s a couple of inches longer and wider than the car it replaces, giving it a size advantage over key rivals.
The new name falls in line with the brand’s latest alphanumeric designations and follows the practice of several upscale brands, such as Audi, BMW, and Infiniti. Here, it denotes that the K4 is a notch down from the midsized K5.
But what may be most attractive to consumers is the integration of technology typically associated with more premium models, such as a 30-inch-wide dash display (comprised of smaller screens) and extensive active safety and driver assistance features. This, of course, assumes that the K4 continues the Kia tradition of aggressive pricing.
As with most new cars, shoppers should remember that the most exciting features are restricted to the top trims—the GT Line and GT Line Turbo. Before those, there are LX, LXS, and EX trims, each offering varying levels of equipment.
The key thing they all have in common is increased passenger and cargo space over the outgoing Forte, enabled by the greater dimensions.
The new K4 goes on sale in the second half of 2024. Until then, here’s what we know.
What it competes with: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla
Powertrains:
• 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; continuously variable transmission; front-wheel drive
• 190-hp, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine; 8-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
Price: $21,000-$29,000 (estimated)
On sale: Fall 2024
CR's Take
Kia has some competitive ground to make up with the K4; the Forte is among the very lowest-rated compact sedans. In our tests, we noted that the ride, noise, seat comfort, and fit and finish were subpar for the class. Its shortcomings haven’t escaped the attention of buyers, who have routinely rated the Forte’s overall satisfaction as well below average in CR’s surveys.
The K4 is quite a different car, growing so much in size as to be similar in scale to a midsized sedan that shoppers may be trading in.
The powertrains essentially carry over. There has been no hybrid option announced.
The real excitement is in the technology, from the massive, optional screen array to the exhaustive list of safety-related features. The K4 continues the Kia tradition of reaching above the class, providing features more commonly found on pricier models. It remains to be seen if they pulled this off with the added refinement that the brand needs in this segment.
Outside
Cars tend to grow over time. At 185 inches, the K4 is about 2 inches longer and wider than the Forte and about an inch larger than a Honda Civic by those same dimensions. (As the car approaches midsized sedan proportions, it’s worth noting that it’s within 6 inches of the retired Optima sedan and matches that car’s width.)
The design for the vertical LED headlights was inspired by the Kia EV9 SUV. They’re a striking styling touch, adding drama to the car’s appearance—especially at night. The taillamps are almost as distinctive. A horizontal light bar spanning the decklid spills into vertical lights at the corner that look a bit like fangs.
A more subtle touch is the rear door handle that’s hidden in the black trim of the C-Pillar. That may put it out of easy reach for some small children.
The GT-Line models are dressed with glossy black accents, satin chrome garnish, and 18-inch wheels.
The Kia K4 appears very angular from the rear, with sharp, triangular aft pillars and fanglike rear brake lights.
Photo: Kia
Inside
Kia brings the big screen treatment to the small-sedan class, likely being the first brand to do so when it comes to market. Kia previously introduced this premium look on small SUVs with the Sportage. Here, the available multiscreen display (shown below) spans 30 inches, serving instruments, climate controls, and infotainment. The tedious dual-use climate/media control panel didn’t find its way into the K4 from other recent Kia models. Other available upgrades include a Harman Kardon premium audio system, heated and ventilated front seats, and a large sunroof.
The GT-Line models come with heated and ventilated seats with memory settings, and a three-spoke steering wheel.
All K4s have wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Among the available high-tech tricks are digital voice assistant that responds to “Hey, Kia.” It can change various settings by voice, and it uses AI to share information from the owner’s manual and online about topics like sports scores and stocks in a conversational rather than command-based way. A digital key feature allows Apple and Samsung phone users to lock, unlock, and drive the car with the phone. This access can be shared with family and friends, as needed, over text messaging.
The increased car dimensions translate to a bit more passenger space, according to Kia, along with a roomier trunk.
This GT-Line showcases the combined 30-inch-wide dash screens, three-spoke steering wheel, and pedal covers, as seen on the left footrest.
Photo: Kia
What Drives It
Like the Forte before it, the front-drive K4 will offer two engines. The base 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder carries over with the same output, again matched with a continuously variable transmission.
The sportier powerplant is again a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, now with 190 hp, down slightly from the Forte. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission has been swapped for an eight-speed automatic. It can be controlled via steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The turbo GT-Line models have a sportier suspension setup for a more engaging driving experience.
Active Safety and Driver Assistance
The K4 packs enough active safety gear to shame some luxury cars, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist (which can adjust speed down to a stop and restart with the traffic flow as necessary), forward cross traffic warning, and rear cross traffic warning. In addition to the traditional instrument panel and audio warnings, the K4 can signal the driver through steering wheel vibration.
GT-Line turbo models can be elevated with the next level of automatic emergency braking and blind spot warning, expanding the detection and reaction support to help avoid collisions. Plus, the available Highway Driving Assist can reduce stress on long drives by building upon adaptive cruise control to react to merging traffic and aid lane changes by automatically performing the maneuver when directed by the turn signal switch.
Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2024, Consumer Reports, Inc.
2024-03-27T14:21:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd