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CHATHAM, Mass. – An all-new year, an all-new name for an all-new car as Kia introduces the 2025 K4, its new entry into the compact-car segment.
While much of the auto industry turns its back on sedans, Kia continues to believe these four-door machines have a place in the market, putting its belief into practice as it reengineered its compact offering by replacing the aging Forte with the K4, a slightly larger and more up-do-date five-seater.
We recently spent a week in the zippy, sporty front-wheel-drive (FWD) 2025 K4 GT-Line Turbo which was comfortable, fun to drive and filled with technology and amenities once limited to premium models. This comes in an attractive, distinctive package priced in the low $30,000s – which in today’s automotive world represents the low-end of the market.
Turbo power and efficiency
As the name indicates, the K4 GT-Line Turbo stands out from the five-model range with its unique 1.6-liter turbocharged engine. The gasoline-fueled aluminum block-and-head powerplant features direct-injection, four-valves per cylinder and double-overhead camshafts. The results of this engineering are 190 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 195 pounds-feet of torque at 1,700 rpm.
An eight-speed automatic transmission, which can be manually manipulated with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, puts this power to the front wheels.
The power is always there and comes on strong when the accelerator is pushed, able to reach 60 miles per hour from rest in 7.3 seconds (according to Car and Driver testing).
In addition, this powertrain provides solid fuel economy. I averaged approximately 33 miles per gallon during my time behind the wheel compared to the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s rating of 29 overall (26 urban, 36 highway).

Sporty platform without jarring ride
Kia went with a straightforward chassis design engineered for a sporting feel. The components include MacPherson-type struts up front with a multi-link setup in the rear including hydraulic twin-tube shock absorbers (as a step up from the torsion-beam axle of the non-sporty K4s).
Bringing the K4 to a halt is the power-assisted four-wheel disc brake system with anti-lock (ABS) and electronic parking brake. The vented rotors up front are 16 inches, while the solid ones in the rear are 15.
The 18-inch alloy wheels wear 235/80D16 all-season tires.
The combination, along with the low seating position, comfortable seating position (aided by the power adjustment with memory function) provides a fun vehicle for blasting around the virtually empty off-season roads of rural Cape Cod. Thanks to above-freezing temperatures for ice-clear streets, I could blast around roads in Yarmouth, Dennis and Wellfleet for sheer enjoyment.
Impressive ADAS group
The K4 might represent Kia’s basic compact-sedan offering, but this does not mean it scrimps on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). All K4 models include lane-keep assist; lane-follow assist; high-beam assist; rear-occupant alert; driver-attention warning; rearview monitor, and forward collision avoidance with vehicle/pedestrian/cyclist/junction-turning features.
Opting for the GT-Line brings blind-spot collision avoidance assist driving-warning, with parallel exit; rear cross-traffic collision avoidance; safe-exit warning; smart cruise control with stop & go; Highway Driving Assist 2; parking-distance warning front/rear/side; surround-view monitor, and reverse-parking collision avoidance assist.
Sporty, comfortable interior filled with technology
Nearly 30 inches of display greets the driver entering a Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo. The left quadrant houses the customizable instrument cluster, while a small middle section reveals interior temperature and climate-control settings and the large right side is a 12.3-inch touchscreen which controls the infotainment system as well as a number of vehicle systems.
The heated front seats (power adjustment for the driver) gain ventilation as part of the GT-Line Turbo Technology Package ($2,200 option) which also brings several of the ADAS features, memory for the driver’s seat/outside mirrors and smartphone digital smart key.
The automatic, dual-zone digital climate-control system has easy-to-use buttons for adjusting temperature and fan speed, supplemented by LCD touch ones for front/rear defrosters, air recirculation, A/C on/off and auto on/off.
The infotainment system includes navigation; wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; SiriusXM satellite radio, and Harman/Kardon Premium Audio System.
Other premium features include a power moonroof, USB multi-media ports front and rear, wireless mobile-device charger and steering-wheel controls for the infotainment system and cruise control.
The K4 GT-Line Turbo sits low to the ground, but large doors and adjustable seats make ingress and egress easier than might be imagined, helped along by a driver’s seat which scoots back when leaving the car. And entering the car’s rear seats means using a uniquely positioned rear-door handle incorporated into the side of the door’s window (see photo in above carousel of photos).
My partner, who is normally sensitive to getting into and out of low vehicles, thought the K4 GT-Line Turbo was fine and called it one of the most comfortable vehicles in which she has ridden. She praised the comfort of the seats and the amount of available leg-room.
Kia brings new value to compact segment
The initial 2025 K4 family consists of five front-wheel-drive models, four with a naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, and the one turbocharged version. The very-well equipped LX opens the door to the K4 experience for $21,990. The next step to the LXS costs $22,990 and $23,990 brings in the EX.
The non-turbo K4 GT-Line, sharing many features with the Turbo, has a price of $25,190 while the GT-Line Turbo carries a MSRP of $28,090. Our review unit added the GT-Line Turbo Technology Package ($2,200) along with inland freight & handling ($1,155) for an as-tested price of $31,445.
This is a lot of compact car for the money; comprehensively equipped, including a list of ADAS beyond what is typically found in vehicles offered in the compact segment. The Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo is a solid choice for those wanting a modestly priced, sporty small sedan.
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