The 2025 Kia K4 introduces the nameplate in North America, replacing the Kia Forte in the Korean brand’s lineup. It’s available as a compact four-door sedan for the 2025 model year, while a five-door hatchback has been announced for 2026.
2025 Kia K4 Updates and Changes
The K4 is the first model year of the compact car’s new generation. It gets a striking new appearance compared to the more conservative Forte, inspired by Kia’s Opposites United design direction. It adopts a fastback profile with a sloping rear window, but is equipped with a conventional trunk. The brand claims more interior space than in the Forte, although the lower roofline cuts down on rear headroom.
Powertrain choices are similar to those in the Forte, but the K4 is said to have improved noise, vibration and harshness levels. The car’s safety has also been strengthened with more advanced driving assistance systems with haptic steering wheel warnings, along with the addition of rear side airbags.
Tech features abound as well, including a dashboard panel housing the optional 12.3-inch digital driving instrument cluster and standard 12.3-inch infotainment system touchscreen, as well as available over-the-air updates, blind spot view monitoring, a 360-degree camera system, and Digital Key compatibility.
2025 Kia K4 Trim Levels and Pricing
In Canada, the K4 is offered in five trim levels, including LX, EX, EX+, GT-Line Turbo and GT-Line Turbo Limited. The first three are equipped with a naturally aspirated 2.0L four-cylinder engine that develops 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, managed by a continuously variable automatic transmission.
Meanwhile, the GT-Line Turbo and GT-Line Turbo Limited benefit from a turbocharged 1.6L four generating 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission. A front-wheel drivetrain is standard across the board.
| Powertrain | Transmission | Drivetrain | MSRP | Freight & PDI | A/C Tax | Dealer Fees | Net Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX | 2.0L I4 | CVT | FWD | $23,995 | $1,850 | $100 | $599 | $26,544 |
| EX | 2.0L I4 | CVT | FWD | $26,495 | $1,850 | $100 | $599 | $29,044 |
| EX+ | 2.0L I4 | CVT | FWD | $27,995 | $1,850 | $100 | $599 | $30,544 |
| GT-Line Turbo | Turbo 1.6L I4 | 8AT | FWD | $31,495 | $1,850 | $100 | $599 | $34,044 |
| GT-Line Turbo Limited | Turbo 1.6L I4 | 8AT | FWD | $34,495 | $1,850 | $100 | $599 | $37,044 |
2025 Kia K4 Specifications
| LX | EX | EX+ | GT-Line Turbo | GT-Line Turbo Limited | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L I4 | Turbo 1.6L I4 | Turbo 1.6L I4 |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT | CVT | 8AT | 8AT |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |
| Output (hp @ rpm) | 147 @ 6,200 | 147 @ 6,200 | 147 @ 6,200 | 190 @ 6,000 | 190 @ 6,000 |
| Torque (lb-ft @ rpm) | 132 @ 4,500 | 132 @ 4,500 | 132 @ 4,500 | 195 @ 1,700 to 4,500 | 195 @ 1,700 to 4,500 |
| Power-to-Weight Ratio (kg/hp) | 9.1 | 9.4 | 9.4 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
| City/Highway/Combined Fuel Economy (L/100 km) | 7.9 / 5.8 / 7.0 | 8.4 / 6.0 / 7.3 | 8.4 / 6.0 / 7.3 | 9.2 / 6.6 / 8.0 | 9.2 / 6.6 / 8.0 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 47 | 47 | 47 | 47 | 47 |
| Required Fuel | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular | Regular |
| Wheels and Tires | 205/55R16 | 225/45R17 | 225/45R17 | 235/40R18 | 235/40R18 |
| Turning Radius (m) | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 | 10.7 |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,720 | 2,720 | 2,720 | 2,720 | 2,720 |
| Length (mm) | 4,710 | 4,710 | 4,710 | 4,710 | 4,710 |
| Width Without Mirrors (mm) | 1,850 | 1,850 | 1,850 | 1,850 | 1,850 |
| Height (mm) | 1,420 | 1,420 | 1,420 | 1,420 | 1,420 |
| Track Width Front/Rear (mm) | 1,585 / 1,595 | 1,585 / 1,595 | 1,585 / 1,595 | 1,567 / 1,580 | 1,567 / 1,580 |
| Headroom Front/Rear (mm) | 990 / 942 | 990 / 942 | 947 / 940 | 947 / 940 | 947 / 940 |
| Legroom Front/Rear (mm) | 1,074 / 964 | 1,074 / 964 | 1,074 / 964 | 1,074 / 964 | 1,074 / 964 |
| Shoulder Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,436 / 1,390 | 1,436 / 1,390 | 1,436 / 1,390 | 1,436 / 1,390 | 1,436 / 1,390 |
| Hip Room Front/Rear (mm) | 1,355 / 1,317 | 1,355 / 1,317 | 1,355 / 1,317 | 1,355 / 1,317 | 1,355 / 1,317 |
| Trunk Volume (L) | 413 | 413 | 413 | 413 | 413 |
| Curb Weight (kg) | 1,340 | 1,384 | 1,384 | 1,490 | 1,490 |
2025 Kia K4 Warranty Coverage
In Canada, the Kia K4 is covered by a 5-year/100,000 km Comprehensive Limited Warranty (whichever comes first) and a 5-year/100,000 km Powertrain Limited Warranty. In addition, the K4 is backed by a 5-year/unlimited km Rust Perforation Limited Warranty.
24-hour roadside assistance is offered on the K4 for 5 years and unlimited km, whichever comes first.
What the 2025 Kia K4 Does Well
- Even though it’s an all-new generation, it’s competitively priced despite offering a good set of features.
- There’s a good amount of space in the K4. Kia claims class-leading rear legroom, though it’s an attribute is must share with the Hyundai Elantra and the Volkswagen Jetta.
- The sedan’s interior design is somewhat minimalist yet elegant, along with easy-to-use climate controls and perfectly placed steering wheel-mounted switchgear.
- The K4 serves up good handling characteristics, thanks to a surprisingly well-tuned suspension. Even on the sportier GT-Line trims, the ride is firm without being harsh.
What the 2025 Kia K4 Doesn’t Do Well
- Kia has a hybrid powertrain available, found in the Kia Niro and the K4’s corporate cousin Elantra. The Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla offer hybrid systems and well. And yet, Kia’s sedan doesn’t get it, which would give it even lower fuel consumption. Maybe the brand figures shoppers would choose the Niro HEV instead.
- The GT-Line Turbo’s 1.6L engine may dish out 190 horsepower, it doesn’t feel as energetic or willing as the Civic Si’s turbo 1.5L four and the Jetta GLI’s turbo 2.0L four, partly due to the slow-reacting eight-speed gearbox it’s connected to. The GT-Line trims are sporty, but may not be sporty enough compared to its direct rivals.
- As mentioned above, the Forte offered slightly better rear-seat headroom.
- We applaud Kia’s stylists for the striking exterior design. However, things get a little complicated in the rear pillar area where lines and forms all clash together. In addition, the rear door handles are awkwardly located above the beltline.
2025 Kia K4 Competition
The Kia K4 competes with the Fiat 500e, the Honda Civic, the Hyundai Elantra, the Mazda3, the MINI Cooper, the Nissan LEAF, the Nissan Sentra, the Nissan Versa, the Subaru Impreza, the Toyota Corolla, the Toyota Prius, the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Jetta.
