When Kia redesigns a model, it doesn't just tweak the body panels and grille and call it a day. The automaker typically goes all-out. That’s especially true for the stylish Kia K4 that debuted at this year's New York Auto Show. The name might be new, but the K4 will serve as the next-generation Forte. (The automaker took a similar strategy in 2021 when it switched the name of its Accord- and Camry-fighting midsize sedan from Optima to K5.) Kia’s littlest sedan will feature new driving aids and 30 inches of screen space, along with a distinctive design that clearly sets it apart from the crowd of Honda Civics and Toyota Corollas. A hatchback version will come in the future, but Kia hasn't disclosed when.
2025 Kia K4
Price Range: $21,990 - $28,090 Price range reflects Base MSRP for various trim levels, not including options or fees.
2025 Kia K4


360°



+121
Great
8.2
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Kia K4 stands out with its roomy cabin and extensive and helpful technology features. Value is also part of the appeal; the K4 comes with a greater level of standard equipment than the competition. Our only complaint is a pair of laconic powertrains that don't deliver an engaging driving experience.Read full review
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2025 Kia K4 Review


byMark Takahashi
Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.
rating written byBrian Wong
Senior Reviews Editor
Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.
Pros
- Comes standard with lots of helpful technology features
- Generous rear legroom
- Sharp styling
Cons
- Not as fuel-efficient as some rivals
- Base engine can be sluggish to accelerate
- Distinctive styling
What's new
- The Kia K4 is an all-new small sedan
- It's effectively a replacement for the Forte
- 2025 is the first year for the K4
Overview
The 2025 Kia K4 is an all-new small sedan. It serves as a replacement for the discontinued Kia Forte and joins the larger midsize K5 in Kia's sedan lineup. The K4 has some visual similarities to the K5, and its angular headlights, pronounced fenders and tapered roofline give it a sporty look. Kia has also made sure that the K4 is a sensible purchase too.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2025 Kia K4 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.05 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$111/mo for K4 LX
K4 LX
vs
$162/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Edmunds spotlight: Budget-friendly without feeling cheap
With a starting price of about $23,000, the 2025 Kia K4 undercuts some of its rivals by a thousand or two. For your money, you're getting plenty of standard features. Highlights for even a base K4 include a big 12.3-inch center touchscreen, wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and an impressive collection of driver assist features that can help make driving easier and safer. The more expensive K4 trim levels get significantly nicer cabin materials, a more powerful turbo engine and a larger digital gauge display, plus several other desirable features — and still keep the price accessible. It's hard to find a downside to the new K4, especially when you factor in Kia's long warranty.
Competitors to consider
The Kia Forte remained in a strong second place behind the all-around class-leading Honda Civic. Even though the K4 costs a bit more than the Forte, we wouldn't be surprised to see it take over that favorable spot among compact sedans. The Hyundai Elantra follows a similar path as the K4 by delivering a lot of features for the money. There's also the sporty Mazda 3, which is the most entertaining to drive among the bunch. We'll know more about the K4 stacks up once our test team is able to get one in for a full evaluation.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.2
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The 2025 Kia K4 stands out with its roomy cabin and extensive and helpful technology features. Value is also part of the appeal; the K4 comes with a greater level of standard equipment than the competition. Our only complaint is a pair of laconic powertrains that don't deliver an engaging driving experience.
Rated for you by America's best test team.Performance
7.5/10
How does the K4 drive? The K4 is offered with one of two available four-cylinder engines. Most K4s come with the 147-hp version but we tested a K4 GT-Line Turbo that comes with the more powerful 190-hp engine. It accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in 7.3 seconds at our test track, which is a decently quick time for a small sedan. The bigger problem is how it goes about its business. The engine is slow to respond and build power when you push on the gas, especially from a stop. The base engine, meanwhile, is taxed on while merging onto the highway and passing. Make sure you give it some time if you need to get up to speed.
The brake pedal offers decent emergency stopping power and makes it easy to stop smoothly in city driving. Around corners, the K4 doesn't give you much feel for the road and noticeably leans as you drive with more enthusiasm. If you're looking for sportiness, the K4 will be disappointing, though in day-to-day driving it's perfectly inoffensive.
The brake pedal offers decent emergency stopping power and makes it easy to stop smoothly in city driving. Around corners, the K4 doesn't give you much feel for the road and noticeably leans as you drive with more enthusiasm. If you're looking for sportiness, the K4 will be disappointing, though in day-to-day driving it's perfectly inoffensive.
Comfort
8/10
How comfortable is the K4? The front seats are comfortable and supportive. The back seat's cushioning is a bit stiff, but there's enough recline to the seatback that rear passengers should be comfortable on longer trips. Where the sedan suffers a bit is ride quality and noise. It could do a better job of smoothing out bumps in the road and isolating you from wind and road noise at highway speeds. And when either powertrain exerts itself, you'll definitely know from the drone emanating out of the engine compartment.
Interior
8.5/10
How’s the interior? The control scheme of the K4 is excellent. There are easy-to-use physical controls for all the things you'd want and a well-placed screen that's in close reach of both front passengers. The only demerit is the small screen that houses the climate controls. It gets blocked from your view by the steering wheel. Thankfully, there are redundant buttons for the fan speed and temperature so you won't need to interact with that panel much.
For a small sedan, the K4 has impressive roominess in the back seat and large door openings that make it easy to climb in and out. The tapered roofline seems to suggest that the rear would have a headroom issue, but there's enough for even passengers over 6 feet tall. The K4's amount of rear legroom is more like a midsize sedan's.
For a small sedan, the K4 has impressive roominess in the back seat and large door openings that make it easy to climb in and out. The tapered roofline seems to suggest that the rear would have a headroom issue, but there's enough for even passengers over 6 feet tall. The K4's amount of rear legroom is more like a midsize sedan's.
Save as much as $1,034 with Edmunds Click on the trim you’re interested in to see what Edmunds suggests you should pay to get a good deal. Savings vary by trim; $1,034 refers to estimated savings off of MSRP for the GT-Line Turbo trim.
2025 Kia K4 pricing in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds suggests you pay
Technology
9/10
How’s the tech? The K4's technology features are excellent. There's a big 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, and four USB-C ports (two front, two rear) coming standard across the lineup. Higher trim levels even offer a matching 12.3-inch screen for the instrument cluster. Kia's infotainment interface offers great ease of use with a simple menu structure. There's even an AI-powered voice assistant that deciphers natural speech quite well and can even help you plan out a day in the city if you're not sure what to do.
Advanced driver assist features are also plentiful, with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and automatic high beams as standard equipment. The available surround-view camera system provides crisp-looking views of what's around you for easy parking. We also give the K4 high marks on how these driver assist systems operate. They avoid generating any excessive beeping or false alarms like you can experience in some other vehicles.
Advanced driver assist features are also plentiful, with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, and automatic high beams as standard equipment. The available surround-view camera system provides crisp-looking views of what's around you for easy parking. We also give the K4 high marks on how these driver assist systems operate. They avoid generating any excessive beeping or false alarms like you can experience in some other vehicles.
Storage
8/10
How’s the storage? A hatchback version of the K4 is coming that will probably bring this score up even higher, but the sedan version also offers pretty good space for cargo in its trunk and small items in its interior. There's 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space, and we also appreciated the wide cargo opening that makes it easier to load large items and a pair of releases that allow you to drop the 60/40-split folding rear seat without having to walk around the car. Inside, the cupholders are large enough to fit a large-bottomed 40-ounce Hydro Flask. You can also fold them away to create more center console bin space.
Small sedans aren't as ideal for installing child safety seats as, say, a minivan, but the K4's large door openings and easily accessible upper and lower LATCH anchor points make installation easier than in most rival sedans. There is plenty of room to fit even a rear-facing seat. You just have to watch out for the low roofline when leaning in.
Small sedans aren't as ideal for installing child safety seats as, say, a minivan, but the K4's large door openings and easily accessible upper and lower LATCH anchor points make installation easier than in most rival sedans. There is plenty of room to fit even a rear-facing seat. You just have to watch out for the low roofline when leaning in.
Fuel Economy
7.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? With the base engine, the K4 gets up to an EPA-estimated 34 mpg combined for the base trim. The turbocharged engine in the GT-Line Turbo drops that to 29 mpg combined. These figures put the Kia firmly in the middle of the pack for small sedans, though these numbers do fall well behind rivals that offer hybrid powertrains like the Civic and Corolla. A hybrid isn't currently available for the K4.
Value
8.5/10
Is the K4 a good value? The K4 offers great value up and down its lineup. The well-equipped base model, for example, comes standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen that's larger than the optional screens you'll find in a Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra. And on the top end, the GT-Line Turbo feels worth its larger price tag, with great materials and an upscale look that would be at home in a much more expensive vehicle. It also comes with features like ventilated front seats and a surround-view camera system that many other compact sedans don't offer.
And that's before you consider Kia's excellent warranty offerings: five years/60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
And that's before you consider Kia's excellent warranty offerings: five years/60,000 miles of basic coverage and 10 years/100,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
Wildcard
8/10
Though the K4 might lack spirit from behind the wheel, its styling sets it apart in a sea of boring and siloed sedan designs. From its unique shape to the extra creases of the bodywork, the Kia's got a look and presence that help it to stand out. And on the inside, the aesthetic delights continue as it's offered in several interesting trim colors and not simply black or gray like most of its competitors. It injects personality into a class that sorely needs it.
Which K4 does Edmunds recommend?
The 2025 Kia K4's base trims are a little too basic for our tastes, which is why we suggest stepping up to the midrange EX model. It dresses up the interior with nicer materials, a digital instrument panel, dual-zone automatic climate control and a wireless charging pad, and it keeps the cost reasonable.
Compare 2025 Kia K4 trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Kia K4 models
The 2025 Kia K4 is a small sedan that is offered in five trim levels: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo. Most models are powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower, 132 lb-ft of torque). It's paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that sends power to the front wheels. The range-topping GT-Line Turbo upgrades to a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder (190 hp, 195 lb-ft) that is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
LX
Starts you off with standard feature highlights that include:
- 16-inch steel wheels with plastic covers
- Heated mirrors
- Remote keyless entry
- 4-inch driver information display
- Air conditioning
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration
- Four-speaker audio system
Standard advanced driver assist features include:
- Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
- Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the vehicle and the car in front)
- Lane keeping assistance (makes minor steering corrections to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane)
- Rear passenger reminder (alerts you to check the rear seat before exiting the vehicle)
- Driver attention monitor (issues an alert if sensors determine you are becoming fatigued)
LXS
Adds a few safety and convenience features such as:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- Selectable drive modes
- 60/40-split folding rear seats
- Two additional speakers
- Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
- Passenger safe exit alert (can prevent a rear passenger from opening a door into traffic approaching from behind)
EX
Upgrades the K4 inside and out with:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- 12.3-inch driver information display
- Soft-touch interior materials
- Upgraded cloth upholstery
- Steering wheel and shifter wrapped in synthetic leather
- Wireless smartphone charging pad
GT-Line
Adds some sporty touches by way of:
- 18-inch wheels
- Gloss black and satin chrome exterior trim
- Multi-link rear suspension for improved handling
- Sport-tuned suspension
- Paddle shifters
- Cloth and synthetic leather upholstery
- Power-adjustable driver's seat
- Heated front seats
- Navigation system
- Voice activation
- Highway Driving Assist (enhanced lane keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control functionality)
GT-Line Turbo
This top trim is the only model with the more powerful engine. It also comes with:
- Upgraded headlights
- Sound-insulated windshield
- Sunroof
- Synthetic leather seat upholstery
- Rear passenger air vents
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio
The most notable option is the Technology package that's exclusive to the GT-Line Turbo trim. It adds:
- Cross-traffic collision mitigation
- Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
- Surround-view camera system (gives you a top-down view of the vehicle and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
- Blind-spot camera (displays an image of the vehicle's blind spot in the instrument panel when you activate a turn signal)
- Driver's seat memory functions
- Ventilated front seats
- Interior ambient lighting
- Keyless entry

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Kia K4 Reviews
Owner Reviews
5(80%)
4(20%)
3(0%)
2(0%)
1(0%)
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Amazing value
5 out of 5 starsuser167, 12/16/2024
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I previously drove a 2017 Elantra limited (156k miles) and it never gave me a single issue. I gifted it to my grandmother as her car died. I bought the K4 as I wanted red seats and all the new technology. This car rides better than my Elantra because of the independent rear suspension. Gas mileage is great and I’m really enjoying the car. I hope the K4 will be as reliable as my Elantra. … The wide sunroof is also a plus, makes the car look extra sleek cruising around town with it open. I have gotten a lot of compliments and definitely recommend!!!
Roomy ride
4 out of 5 starsJaws, 11/29/2024
2025 Kia K4 EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I like everything about this car except for a little road noise at expressway speeds. It seems as spacious as a full size, gas mileage is great and features are numerous.
Pay little for a lot
5 out of 5 starsChuck, 11/27/2024
2025 Kia K4 LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
Great looking car, very quite interior, lots of electronics for the price, including lane keep.
Love it
5 out of 5 starsS, 01/21/2025
2025 Kia K4 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT)
I love my Kia K4. I have absolutely no complaints!
Helpful shopping links
2025 Kia K4 video
Kia K4 vs. Toyota Corolla Hybrid vs. Honda Civic Hybrid: Which Compact Sedan Is Best?
The Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla have long dominated the compact sedan segment, but Kia is hoping to challenge that with the new K4, the renamed replacement for the Kia Forte. But does the K4 have what it takes to keep up with the segment leaders, especially when both offer hybrid powertrains? Edmunds’ Brian Wong puts all three vehicles to the test in this comparison… video.
2025 Kia K4 Features & Specs
LX
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,990 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 34 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $111/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 14.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
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Safety
Key safety features on the K4 include:
- Back-up camera
- Blind Spot Monitoring
- Lane Departure Warning
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
- Pre-collision safety system
- Post-collision safety system
2025 Kia K4 First Impressions
What's under the K4's hood?
The K4 is a redesigned model, but elements of the outgoing Forte carry over, starting with the engine options. A 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque) is standard and paired to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) that drives the front wheels. In Edmunds' previous testing of a Forte with this powertrain, we noted a 0-60 mph time of 8.7 seconds — not exactly record-setting but typical for a compact sedan with a base engine.
Thankfully, buyers looking for something spicier can still opt for the GT-Line Turbo, powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. It's less potent than before (190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft, compared to 201 hp in last year's Forte), but is matched with an eight-speed traditional automatic rather than the old seven-speed dual-clutch. We expect the normal auto to be a bit smoother in everyday driving. Unfortunately, there is no more manual transmission option; those who wish to row their own economy-car gears can choose certain versions of the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla.
How's the K4's interior?
Against those long-running rivals, the K4’s cabin is uniquely modern. Kia’s interior designers snagged a few themes from the brand’s EV9 electric flagship SUV and trickled them down to the K4. The centerpiece is the expansive infotainment display consisting of a 5-inch climate display and twin 12.3-inch displays for the instrument panel and central touchscreen. The latter features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on all models for seamless smartphone integration. And, thankfully, there are buttons for basic high-level audio and climate control functions, so you're not entirely reliant on the screen. We also like the playful interior color palettes of black, white, gray or green(!).
How's the K4's tech?
The Forte came with a fairly basic set of standard advanced driving aids, but the K4 needs to be fully competitive. As with the Civic and Corolla, every K4 will come with adaptive cruise control and speed limit recognition. On the options list are front cross-traffic collision detection and a 360-degree parking camera. The available Highway Driving Assist 2 function adds lane centering assistance, requiring little driver input while driving on the highway.
Competitors to consider
Compact sedans like the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla are stalwarts in the segment and offer more configurations like hybrids, manual transmissions, hatchbacks, and track-ready weapons like the Civic Type R and GR Corolla. Still, the K4 is a great entry point to Kia and now offers more tech and a great new look that evokes Kia’s flagships.
Edmunds says
With a completely new look, the K4 should help Kia tap into the compact sedan market more, but with only two engine choices and not many additional configurations, it loses a bit of shopping appeal.
FAQ
Is the Kia K4 a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2025 K4 both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.2 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2025 K4 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the K4 has 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Kia K4. Learn more
What's new in the 2025 Kia K4?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2025 Kia K4:
- The Kia K4 is an all-new small sedan
- It's effectively a replacement for the Forte
- 2025 is the first year for the K4
Is the Kia K4 reliable?
To determine whether the Kia K4 is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the K4. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the K4's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2025 Kia K4 a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2025 Kia K4 is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2025 K4 and gave it a 8.2 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2025 K4 gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 5 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2025 K4 is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2025 Kia K4?
The least-expensive 2025 Kia K4 is the 2025 Kia K4 LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $21,990.
Other versions include:
- LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $21,990
- LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $22,990
- EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $23,990
- GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT) which starts at $25,190
- GT-Line Turbo 4dr Sedan (1.6L 4cyl Turbo 8A) which starts at $28,090
What are the different models of Kia K4?
If you're interested in the Kia K4, the next question is, which K4 model is right for you? K4 variants include LX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), LXS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), EX 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT), and GT-Line 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl CVT). For a full list of K4 models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more
Related 2025 Kia K4 info
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