2025 Kia K4 Makes Style and Safety Its Forte
Competes with: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla
Looks like: Someone drew a Kia Stinger (R.I.P.) from memory
Powertrains: 147-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder and continuously variable automatic transmission; 190-hp turbocharged, 1.6-liter four-cylinder and eight-speed automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Second half of 2024
Kia recently showed off the 2025 K4, a new compact sedan that is more in line with the brand’s styling and naming conventions than the Forte it’s replacing, but was scarce on details. With the 2025 K4’s full debut, we now know more about its specs and features.
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The K4 has similar engine options to the Forte, but it drops the available manual transmission and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic from the sporty Forte GT in favor of a more traditional eight-speed automatic. Kia also claims the K4 is wider and longer than any compact sedan currently on the market and that it has class-leading rear legroom.
New But Familiar Face
The Forte was something of a stylistic outlier in Kia’s lineup, but the new K4 should fit right in. We’ve already broken down the new looks elsewhere, but sharp angles abound, as do head- and taillights that combine thin vertical and horizontal elements. Most interestingly, though the K4 appears to be a liftback sedan, it has a regular trunk. Its styling also results in rear body panels buttressing the rear windscreen, giving the K4 a bit of a sporty delivery vehicle flavor (in a good way).
Similar Powertrains
Regardless of trim level, the K4 is only available with front-wheel drive. The standard engine is a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder, carried over from the Forte; it makes an identical 147 horsepower and 132 pounds-feet of torque and is paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission. Shoppers can opt for a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine in higher and sportier trims of the K4; unlike the similar engine in the Forte, this one makes 190 hp instead of 201 but still produces an identical 195 pounds-feet. The turbo four also gets a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission instead of a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic or six-speed manual, which may account for the slight dip in power.
Fuel economy figures for the K4 will be announced closer to its on-sale date, but the 2024 Forte was rated at up to 34 mpg combined with the 2.0-liter and up to 30 mpg combined with the 1.6-liter turbo.
Significantly Updated Interior
Inside the K4, now-standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity and a standard digital instrument panel should please budget-conscious technophiles. Interior color options include Medium Gray and Slate Green for most trims, while the K4 GT-Line can also be decked out in either Off-White or Onyx upholstery.
By Kia’s measurements, a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, 12.3-inch touchscreen display and 5-inch climate control display give owners almost 30 inches of total screen real estate. Over-the-air update capability should keep the K4 modern as new features and functions are added — including for Kia Connect’s voice assistant, which is activated by saying “Hey, Kia.”
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Advanced Safety
The K4 comes with a bevy of standard advanced driver-assistance features, including Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, lane departure steering assist and adaptive cruise control that functions down to a stop. Forward collision assist with pedestrian and cyclist detection is also standard and includes physical warnings conveyed to the driver through the steering wheel. A more advanced version of the FCA system is available in higher trims and adds functionality for passing and lane changes. Blind spot warning with rear cross-traffic alert is also standard, and blind spot collision avoidance is available.
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Pricing and Availability
Kia says the K4 should arrive in dealerships sometime in the second half of 2024, and final details — including pricing and fuel economy — will be announced closer to its on-sale date.
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