First Drive: 2025 Kia K4 — More than Just a New Name

It came as far from a surprise when Kia confirmed plans to introduce a new version of its long-in-the-tooth Forte sedan at the New York Auto Show last spring. Nor were we shocked to learn the new model would get an entirely new name. But, after finally getting a chance to drive the 2025 Kia K4, we were struck by just how much better it is than the outgoing four-door model. Here’s our review.

When the 2025 Kia K4 made its debut at the New York Auto Show it simply confirmed long-standing rumors that there’d be a replacement for the aging Forte sedan – and that it would migrate to the brand’s global naming strategy, as had happened when the bigger Kia Optima was reborn as the K5.

One thing we’ve learned about Kia in recent years: the automaker doesn’t do minor upgrades – even mid-cycle. The brand has been building quite a reputation by significantly upgrading older models, adding fresher designs, improved powertrains and lots of desirable tech and creature comfort features. Better yet, doing so without massive price increases.

So it is with the new K4, we discovered during a trip to Austin, Texas to log some seat time behind the wheel of Kia’s next-generation compact sedan.

A fresher, more upscale design

The design of the 2025 Kia K4 is bolder and more distinctive than the outgoing Forte – and it gets a very different take on the familiar Kia “tiger-nose” grille. Ever since Peter Schreyer, the European designer best known for the Audi TT became Kia’s design chief in 2006 the brand has become known for its iconic “tiger-nose” grille. It’s downsized here, the new sedan’s snout now distinguished by a large air intake under the bumper, as well as more vertical headlights largely lifted from Telluride. The lighting theme is larger, and mirrored in the rear.

The compact sedan picks up on design elements from several other recent Kia models, among other things, lifting the broad fenders of the EV6 battery-electric vehicle and the sharp, vertical lines of the Telluride SUV. The fastback roof, meanwhile, is likely to bring to mind the Kia Stinger.

Overall, the K4 gets a more dynamic, sporty appearance, enhanced by revised dimensions, overall length now 185.4 inches. And, with a width of 72.8 inches, “the K4 is the widest and has the largest footprint in the compact segment.”

New interior

The new K4 adopts a markedly different interior, as well. There are subtle revisions, such as the flat-bottomed steering wheel. It rises out of a new, horizontally oriented instrument panel meant to emphasize the sedan’s width.

Twin digital displays – fitted under a single pane of glass, dominate the IP, the touchscreen atop the center stack handling most vehicle functions. Unlike Korean sibling Hyundai, Kia has foregone the idea of adding separate controls for the climate system. But there are hard buttons below the touchscreen to make it easy to move between functions or return to the home page.

What buyers may like most, though, is the added legroom in the rear seating area. Kia claims it’s class-leading, as is the new sedan’s headroom.

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Powertrain

Two powertrains will be available for the 2025 Kia K4 at launch:

• Standard fare is the naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four making 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque;
• Buyers can upgrade to a 1.6-liter turbo-four boosting output to 190 hp and 195 lb-ft on the K4 GT-Line Turbo package.

The 2.0-liter engine is mated to a continuously variable gearbox. The turbo-four gets an 8-speed automatic that can be manually shifted using paddles on the steering wheel.

Along with the engine upgrade, the K4 GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo packages get a new – and stiffer multi-link rear suspension, rather than the solid rear axle.

Unfortunately, at least from a U.S. standpoint, neither electrified drivetrains sold in other markets will be available in the U.S. Not for now, anyway — though a Kia official told Headlight.News that could change over the next several years.

Driving impressions

In its prior form, the old Kia Forte was a reasonable package, albeit one that dealers were more likely than not to pitch with an emphasis on price. They still have the ability to take that approach, the 2025 K5 starting at around $23,000 for a base LX trim. And even the top GT-Line is reasonably priced at just over $30,000 fully loaded. But there’s a lot more to justify it, starting with ride and handling.

For its first media driving event, Kia rolled out two versions of the K5 GT-Line, both the naturally aspirated and turbo-powered packages. Both offer reasonably sporty driving dynamics, assisted by the multi-link rear suspension. My drive route took me through the more interesting portions of Texas Hill Country – at least from a driver’s perspective, with lots of elevation changes and plenty of tight, challenging corners.

The 2025 GT-Line models are much more deserving of the term, “sport sedan,” though that fits much better with the turbo engine kicking out an extra 43 ponies and 63 lb-ft. It proved much more responsive to my right foot and inspired a lot more confidence, whether taking off from a stoplight or accelerating onto a crowded freeway.

To make best use of what the K5 can deliver, I spent much of my ride in the GT-Line Turbo operating in Sport Mode. It kept the engine running at higher RPMs, while tightening up shifts and steering effort. That also made for quicker responses from the standard paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Adding to the appeal, K5 is surprisingly fuel efficient, getting into the mid-30 mpg range with the “base” GT-line while not sacrificing all that much mileage upgrading to the turbo.

Technology

The Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, as Kia dubbed it, uses a quicker processor than before, meaning little lag when you switch from one function to another. The system also features the ability to access smartphone-style over-the-air updates.

That allows for more than just updating existing software. Like a number of its competitors, Kia plans to allow owners to download new features and functions. These could be active “welcome” lightning that greets a motorist when approaching the vehicle.

Then there’s the new HDA2, the brand’s latest semi-autonomous driving system. It will allow you to operate the vehicle without putting hands on the steering wheel on tens of thousands of miles of limited-access U.S. and Canadian roadways. I’ve tried out several versions of this software – shared with sibling Korean brand Hyundai, and found it quite effective on long trips. But you need remember this still requires you to keep eyes on the road and hands ready to grab the wheel and retake control in the event of a partial emergency.

The last word

The K4 GT-Line Turbo I drove took the new sedan up to maximum level from an equipment standpoint, with the price tag jumping to $31,445 – including $1,555 in delivery fees.

That’s a more than reasonable price for an extremely appealing compact sedan. Sure, there are cheaper products – though not by much – but you’d be hard-pressed to find one for less money.

There are some downsides. The K4 is quiet on most pavement, but can get a bit noisy in the cabin on rougher concrete or tarmac. That’s certainly not a dealbreaker in this segment, however.

On the whole, the K4 is a huge improvement over the old Forte line. It’s more attractive – inside and out – offers a choice of two solid drivetrain and, on the whole, would be a hard choice to argue against.