A Week With: 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo

There was a time when Kia product was less than also-ran. Of late however, the marque is cranking out hit after hit after hit. The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line is company’s latest budget-friendly compact sedan offering, and we see if Kia’s winning streak has the potential to hold.

The Kia formerly known as Forte is no longer in the lineup. That position is now occupied by an all-new offering for 2025, the K4. And, like all contemporary Kia offerings, the K4 is at once handsome and a great value.

However, even though its look is reminiscent of the Stinger (Kia’s first rear-wheel drive performance sedan), the appearance of the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo writes checks its engine can’t cash. While it might look like a performance model, the K4 it has yet to manifest true performance cred.

Who knows what the future may hold though? Hopefully, something with a bit more pep than the 190-horsepower powerplant fitted to the GT-Line Turbo. So, for now, the Kia K4 is a hot-looking car, waiting to be treated to some real heat.

Powertrains and Fuel Economy

The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line I drove was fitted with the company’s turbocharged 1.6-liter DOHC inline 4, which is rated to produce 190 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft of torque at 1,700 rpm. As you may have gathered though, my mom won’t be getting any letters about its performance potential.

According to my Omega Speedmaster, the K4 GT-Line Turbo needed seven seconds from the moment I pinned the throttle to the one at which the digital speedometer read 60 mph.

I’ve seen quarter mile estimates in the 16-second range for the sleek little sedan with this engine. As for fuel economy, I eked out a high of 25 mpg overall. While decent, it is a bit light for the compact sedan category these days. Long story short, neither performance, nor fuel economy can be considered a forte (see what I did there?) of the K4.

Interior Accommodations

However, in true contemporary Kia fashion, the interior treatment was capable of going toe-to-toe with the heavyweights of its category. The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo’s passenger compartment’s design is a master class in what can be accomplished with contrasting colors and interesting shapes. What’s more, it does so without employing exceptionally fine materials.

In fact, the Kia’s accommodations could lead an untrained eye to believe the K4 is a far more expensive car than the price it commands. I particularly liked the rounded-square steering wheel, which was enhanced by a two-tone color scheme, reminiscent of something Mercedes would do with its MANUFAKTUR trim packages. That two-tone treatment carried over to the seats as well.

The widescreen display, once the sole purview of high-end luxury cars, makes an appearance here as well. It’s pretty cool for the most part, however, its climate control interface is somewhat obscured by the steering wheel.

Fortunately though, the system has redundant switches on the dash. Another row of buttons there offer quick access to the media and navigation systems. A roller dial for the audio system’s volume control is mounted on the dash as well.

Comfort, Convenience & Safety Tech

Getting back to that widescreen, subdivided into a pair of 12.3-inch monitors, and one 5-inch, the housing contained three monitors in all. The large reconfigurable one behind the steering wheel displayed instrumentation, while the large touch sensitive one to the far right was tasked with infotainment duty.

The previously mentioned climate control comprised the five-inch display separating the other two. Wireless CarPlay and Android compatibility were standard; satellite radio and navigation were accommodated as well.

Additional standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, ambient accent lighting, dual-zone climate control with separate vents for the rear seat and a Harman Kardon audio system.

Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist, blind spot collision avoidance, navigation based smart cruise control with stop and go, as well as lane following capability are also included in the base price.

Driving Impressions

For day-to-day hither and yon, the Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo offers more than enough comfort to serve as pleasant family transportation. While steering is predictably responsive, the Kia’s roadholding — while adequate — doesn’t match the K4’s racy appearance. Which, given the less than stellar output of the engine, is somewhat acceptable.

Drive the K4 like the cool-looking family car it is, and you’ll find the newest Kia compact sedan to be more than competent. Granted the “GT-Line Turbo” moniker does set images of clipped apexes dancing your head. But you’ll find the Kia is far more capable on the highway than it is on backroads.

In Summary

Although the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Kine Turbo lacks the sporting pedigree its name implies, Kia does endow the K4 GT-Line Turbo with far more kit than you’ll find in similarly priced competitive models. Plus, there’s that 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty to consider.