Review: 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line

Out with the old, in with the new.

Kia said goodbye to its Forte after the 2024 model year, and filled that slot with a car a tad smaller than their K5 sedan.

So, naturally, they call it the K4.

One look at this sporty little number, which falls into the compact sedan category, and you might expect a real spitfire. Well, it’s not—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t a solid ride.

The Basics

With most of its trim choices, you’re going to get a four-cylinder engine that puts out 147 horses. Step up to the GT-Line and you’re rewarded with a turbo setup that bumps up the horses to 190.

There are some design details that may or may not strike your fancy. For one thing, the vertical headlights are interesting, paired with sharp LED daytime running lights that trace the front corners. That’s pretty cool.

I love the hideaway door handles for the rear seats, too. It’s not a huge thing and certainly not unique, but it shows Kia’s desire to do things a little out of the ordinary.

Overall, the outline of the car is . . . different. Honestly, my first reaction was not complimentary, but I figured it would be one of those things that grew on me as my test week went by. That happens a lot.

Not this time. Even by the time I returned the car, I was not the biggest fan of that look. It’s like the K4 really wants to be a player in the fastback world, and I give the engineers mad props for not doing the same thing as everyone else. Just not sure the look is exactly right . . . yet. They may tweak it as the model years slip by.

And you may see it and fall head-over-heels.

Having said that, there’s much more on the positive side of the ledger. Starting with:

The Inside

I enjoyed the feel inside the K4. Let’s start with the fact that, for a small sedan, it has plenty of interior space. I’m six feet tall and never had an issue with headroom or legroom, both in the front seat and the back. That already scores big points.

The layout is good, with one minor hiccup. While almost everything on the large array of screens is visible and easily accessible, a few areas are slightly obscured by the steering wheel.

The best way to describe the interior is clean. Some car makers try to wow you with all sorts of gadgets and controls; Kia lets the practicality do the talking.

There’s decent storage up front, and the trunk space is impressive. It’s not just the 14.6 cubic feet, but also the wide opening so you won’t grunt trying to load a suitcase or golf clubs.

When the hatchback model drops later in 2025, that rear cargo space shoots up to over 22 cubic feet.

The Drive

Okay, so this car is not made to win any races off the starting line. So what? I don’t think you’re buying a compact sedan to impress the Lucid Air next to you at the red light. Let them have their 1.89 second jump from zero to 60.

Again, the sporty looking exterior might lead you to expect a peppier ride. What you get instead is a decent ride.

But remember this: You’re also paying less than $30k. It’s all about perspective.

Steering was average and braking was good. And, most importantly, I found that the long drive I took from Denver to Colorado Springs was comfortable.

The Tech

I mentioned the screens across the dash. In standard models, you’ll find a 12.3-inch display. In the GT-Line trim, you get two of them in one continuous panel. I like it.

That large infotainment display is quite good. Easy to read and easy to reach.

And here’s where Kia gets extra marks: While you can control several things from the touchscreen, they have blessed us with the appropriate number of knobs and switches, too. That’s all we want: knobs and switches.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto both come standard, and the wireless charging pad in my test model worked flawlessly. Other tools and toys are available, including Smart Cruise Control and lane assist technology, and remote start.

Safety ratings for the K4 are excellent, with five stars from the NHTSA.

The Bottom Line

Everything seems so expensive these days, and that certainly includes new cars. Kia, however, has come to the market with a nice compact sedan at an equally nice (comparatively) price.

Fuel economy is pretty good, too, with the top-of-the-line GT-Line model averaging 33 mph. All of that adds up for price-conscious consumers.

Once I got over the unusual lines of this car, I realized what a nice bargain it could be for families who want room without stepping all the way up to an SUV.

The Details