America’s thirst for SUVs has caused some automakers to neglect sedans. Classic 4-door small cars are still an excellent option for many – fun to drive, affordable, and insurable at a reasonable cost. But fewer manufacturers are bothering to design new ones.
That’s what makes the 2025 Kia K4 so refreshing.
Kia will dump the Forte name next year, renaming its all-new compact car “K4.” Alphanumeric names, after all, work in every language.
Aggressive Styling
Design is the K4’s first language. It neatly knits an upright front fascia to sleek, angular sides and a fastback profile. Kia’s signature “star map” lights – think constellations – look great in this treatment, where they emphasize the bold creases of the shoulder line.
The sharp look helps the car look compact when it’s nearly midsize. “With an overall length of 185.4 inches and width of 72.8 inches, the K4 is the widest and has the largest footprint in the compact segment,” Kia says.
Roomy Cabin
Inside, much of that space has gone to rear-seat passengers. Thirty-eight inches of legroom and 37.3 inches of headroom beat the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
The interior also has a touch we’re not used to seeing at this price range. In recent years, many car designs have paired a driver’s screen and a central touchscreen to look like one immense widescreen. But most automakers don’t do that in this price range. The K4 does, making the cockpit look more upscale.
Two Engine Choices, No Stick
Under the hood, the K4 is more like the Forte it replaces. The same 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 147 horsepower and motivates most trim levels. It sends power to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) – the same setup most cars in this class use.
A sporty GT-Line Turbo edition uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder in its place, making 190 hp — a slight step down from the power in the top-of-the-line Forte. But It sends power through an 8-speed automatic transmission that enthusiastic drivers might find more satisfying.
Sadly, the 6-speed manual option once found in the Forte has dropped from the lineup.
Standard driver assists include a smart cruise control capable of bringing the car to a complete stop and speeding back up to keep pace with traffic. An optional package adds a first for the segment – evasive steering assist. It can “help mitigate collisions with obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles detected ahead and will warn the driver in certain circumstances, and if there is space to avoid the collision in the lane, it can assist the driver’s steering.”
The K4 is a compelling package. All that’s missing is the price. If Kia can keep the cost competitive with other compact cars and offer the 10-year powertrain warranty it’s known for, the K4 could be an excellent option for many shoppers. We expect to know pricing soon, as Kia says the K4 will reach dealerships in the second half of 2024.
