Textual content by Tom Appel
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line
Specs
Class: Comnpact Sedan
Nation of Manufacture: Mexico
Colour: Morning Haze
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 177
Actual-world gas financial system: 30.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | B |
| Gasoline Financial system | A |
| Worth | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim stage evaluated, and will not replicate Client Information’s impressions of the whole mannequin lineup. | |
| Massive & Tall Consolation | |
| Massive Man | B+ |
| Tall Man | B |
| Massive & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Massive” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 147-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Kind | 4-Cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT-automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas financial system: 29/39/33 (metropolis, freeway, mixed)
Gasoline sort: Common Fuel
Base value: $25,190 (not together with $1155 vacation spot cost)
Choices on check automobile: GT-Line Premium Bundle ($1100), GT-Line Sunroof Bundle ($900)
Worth as examined: $28,345
Professionals and Cons
The nice: Enticing pricing, subtle drive expertise
The great: Roomy cabin, glorious gas financial system
The not so good: Restricted availability of turbocharged engine
Evaluation
To align its American product higher with its worldwide choices, Kia has completed a little bit of model-name shuffling—none of which of we absolutely approve. For the 2021 mannequin yr the Kia Optima midsize sedan turned the Kia K5. And for 2025—you might even see this one coming—the compact Kia Forte sedan has been renamed the K4. Whereas we recognize uniformity, Kia isn’t working towards comparable self-discipline with its crossovers, and, Optima and Forte had been fairly good names.
From Forte to K4
The title half is the dangerous information. The excellent news is that the K5 is a reasonably good automobile, as is the redesigned Forte nee K4.
The Forte has lengthy—and seemingly secretly—been a reasonably sturdy vendor. Although not as well-liked because the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, the Forte has bought about in addition to the Nissan Sentra and Hyundai Elantra.
Right here’s the actually excellent news: the K4 is a good higher automobile than the Forte.
Design
Fully new on the surface, the K4 boasts clear, fashionable styling, a mildly controversial profile, and a new-for-2026 hatchback variant.
Inside, the K4 additionally feels easy and fashionable. As is the pattern, the K4 includes a single, contiguous sprint display screen which features as each the instrument panel, and console infotainment touchscreen. The general look is purposeful and uncomplicated.
Each of the Forte’s engines return for 2025. As Discovered within the K4, the bottom 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower, whereas the accessible 1.6-liter turbocharged powerplant cranks out 190. The two.0 mates to a CVT-style computerized, whereas the turbocharged engine is fitted with a traditional 8-speed unit. All K4s are front-wheel drive.
Costs and Trim Ranges
For 2025, the K4 is obtainable in 5 trim ranges:
LX ($23,165)
LXS ($24,165)
EX ($25,165)
GT-Line ($26,345)
GT-Line Turbo ($29,265)
GT-Line versus GT-Line Turbo
Ony the GT-Line Turbo is outfitted with the 1.6-liter turbo, the opposite trim ranges include the two.0-liter mill. Curiously, The sporty GT-Line and GT-Line include a classy multi-link rear suspension, which contributes each to improved dealing with, and higher experience management. Different K4 fashions make use of a humbler torsion-beam setup.
Client Information lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2025 K4 GT-Line in Morning Haze and outfitted with the GT-Line Premium Bundle and Sunroof Bundle. Together with vacation spot cost, our check automobile got here to $28,345.
We didn’t discover a lot unsuitable with the brand new K4, however loads to love. Right here we’d wish to share 5 cool issues in regards to the 2025 Kia K4:
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line: 5 Cool Issues
It’s Massive
There’s a shocking quantity of passenger house within the new K4, sufficient for 4 adults to experience in consolation, even on lengthy journeys. Giant door openings make straightforward work of getting into and exiting the compact Kia. And talking of lengthy journeys, the K4’s trunk accommodates as much as 15 cubic-feet of baggage, or no matter you’re hauling.
It’s Small
Although bigger than compact sedans as soon as had been, the K4 casts a tidy shadow, which makes for simple parking-garage maneuvers, and permits for sneaky strikes in heavy site visitors. And, being a comparatively small automobile, the K4—in GT-Line trim—returns shocking gas financial system. Client Information averaged nearly 31 mpg, which is mighty thrifty for a non-hybrid small automobile.
It’s Enjoyable to Drive
We haven’t pushed a K4 with the usual rear suspension, however can report that, in GT-Line trim, the small Kia sedan is a hoot to drive, and serves up glorious experience high quality. Plus, although down on energy in comparison with the accessible turbocharged engine, the two.0-liter mill delivers helpful torque at low speeds, permitting for comparatively spirited sprints away from stoplights.
We’d like to see an AWD model of the K4, however that’s unlikely to ever occur. Nonetheless, even in Snowbelt states, the K4’s front-drive drivetrain needs to be nice throughout even the snowiest winters.
It’s Straightforward on the Fuel
We famous above that our check K4 returned nearly 31 mpg in routine driving. That’s 2-mpg shy of the EPA combined-mpg estimate, however in all honesty, this spunky sedan invitations spirited driving, which might influence gas financial system.
It’s Reasonably priced
Severely, you’ll be able to’t beat K4 pricing. Our very well-equipped GT-Line got here in below $29,000, which is frankly a cut price. Consumers on the lookout for a more-conservative model of the K4 are suggested to take a look at the midline EX, which will be had for no less than $1000 lower than the GT-Line, relying on the way you equip it.
Whereas we’d by no means speaking a shopper out of a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, we strongly recommend that buyers on this phase take a detailed take a look at Kia’s redesigned small sedan. There’s nice worth to be discovered within the K4, and, correctly outfitted, a great deal of sensible enjoyable, too.
Hearken to the Automobile Stuff Podcast
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Footage
Click on under for enlarged photos