Kia releases first teaser images of K4 ahead of New York Auto Show. New model aims to pick up the tempo in compact sedan wars with sportier design and higher levels of performance and technology.
Kia’s long-running Forte sedan is beginning to show its age and it’s doing so in the face of growing pressure from CUV entries that are eating into the model’s sales numbers. Kia is not giving up though and has revealed new teaser images of its replacement, the K4.
K4 will put the spotlight on performance and style
Kia’s upcoming K4 will push its smallest sedan in new style-focused direction
Like other sedan entries that we have seen in recent years, Kia’s teaser images appear to suggest that the K4 will put a stronger emphasis on design and style. In this case, the new model will share design inspiration not only with the Europe only K3, but also the bigger K5 sedan. The front fascia gets droopy headlights and the small slice of the front grille that’s visible also appears similar to what we saw on the updated Kia Carnival minivan.
The teaser images still obscure some key details from view, but look for the K4 to be a noticeable departure from the outgoing Forte which had a more jumbled appearance and lacked the visual balance that this K4 appears to have.
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What else will the K4 bring to the table?
K4 will most likely share key components and equipment with 2024 Hyundai Elantra
In addition to having revamped exterior styling, the K4 will also have an interior that will benefit from its own share of updates. While Kia didn’t release any images of the interior this time, the recently launched 2024 Hyundai Elantra provides some clues into what buyers can expect in the K4.
The Hyundai has a pair of 10.3-inch screens and we suspect that they will also transfer over into the K4 as well. Look for the sedan to have a cabin that has a sportier design than the Hyundai but balanced out by some of the carryover switchgear and controls. Performance hardware will also most likely be lifted from the Elantra but we have to wait until Kia releases more information to get a better idea on its formal performance figures.
Some of the K4’s styling will be inspired by its brand mate the K5.
Thankfully the wait won’t be very long with Kia confirming that it will be formally revealing the car on March 27th at the New York Auto Show. Kia will be releasing more teasers in the meantime and will also unveil the final design a week before the show starts.
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