We may be living in a world of SUVs, but there’s still some space for a compact sedan. Kia used to offer that as the Forte, but new for 2025, it has replaced that with the K4.
There’s nothing out of the ordinary here – no sports-sedan handling, no highest-tech interior – but that’s really not an issue here. A large number of buyers are just looking for something that’s comfortable, not too thirsty on fuel, gets the job done, and is intelligently-priced; and overall, those are the boxes the K4 checks off. That’s what it is, and it’s good at what it does.
Right now, it’s only available as a four-door sedan. The Forte also came in a hatchback, called the Forte5; and in global markets, the K4 is also offered as a stunningly-styled hatchback. So far, Kia hasn’t confirmed it will bring that model here, but I have a very strong suspicion that Canadians will also have a chance at it soon.
How much does the Kia K4 cost?
The K4 comes in five trim levels, with two engines split between them. The three lower levels use a naturally-aspirated engine: the LX at $23,995; the EX at $26,495; and the EX+ at $27,995, all before a delivery fee of $1,850. Be aware that any exterior colour other than black adds $250, and so my EX tester with “Morning Haze” paint came to $26,745.
A turbocharged engine comes in the GT-Line Turbo and GT-Line Turbo Limited, and they’re $31,495 and $34,395, respectively. All trims come strictly with front-wheel drive (FWD). While some of its competitors offer hybrid powertrains or all-wheel drive (AWD), the K4 has neither on tap.
How much power does the Kia K4 have?
The LX and EX models use a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and mated to an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT) – Kia calls it an IVT, for intelligent variable, but it’s the same thing. The turbocharged engine is a 1.6L four-cylinder and it makes 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2.0L is rated at 7.3 L/100 km in combined city/highway driving, while the 1.8L is 8.0, and both take regular-grade, 87-octane gasoline.
What’s the Kia K4 like to drive?
Driving the K4 with the 2.0L engine is best described as “uneventful,” and going back to that original premise that many people just want everyday transportation, I mean that description as a compliment. The engine gets noisy under hard throttle, but otherwise it handles daily driving just fine, with smooth-but-definitely-not-blistering acceleration and the ability to pass on the highway providing you don’t leave everything till the last minute and need Lamborghini-style get-up-and-go. It’s not fast – if you want something quicker, try the turbocharged version – but it does what it’s supposed to do in everyday driving.
It’s an easy vehicle to drive – as are most in this segment – with responsive steering that’s light but not so much that you can’t feel what’s going on. It handles curves and corners well, and the ride is composed and comfortable.
What’s the Kia K4 like on the outside?
I find the rear profile just a little awkward where the roofline handsomely sweeps down, fastback-style, but then ends a bit ungracefully at the trunk lid; but beyond that, it’s a really good-looking machine. The entry LX wears 16-inch steel wheels covers, while my EX adds 17-inch alloy wheels. The largest available are 18-inchers on the turbocharged models but remember – the larger the wheel, the better it looks, but also the more you’ll pay for replacement or winter tires. The LED headlights and taillights are on all trims.
What’s the Kia K4 like on the inside?
The K4’s cabin contains a lot of hard plastic, but then, this car in its starting trim is $24,000 and nothing in this model year starts under twenty grand. And all of that plastic – which is also easy to clean – is molded into a wide-design dash and creates a cabin that looks as good as, or even better than, the car’s price. All trims have the long tablet-style infotainment screen, with digital instrument cluster and a touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and satellite radio. A wireless charger is standard on the EX and up.
The entry LX has heated front seats, while my EX and up add a heated steering wheel. The seats are supportive and stayed comfortable on a longer drive, although a power-adjustable driver’s seat doesn’t arrive until the turbocharged models. The EX+ adds a panoramic sunroof.
Compared to some rivals, the K4 has more front-seat legroom than the Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Jetta; while it matches the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and its sibling Hyundai Elantra – but it and the Elantra have more rear-seat legroom than all of those, and the K4’s 413 litres of trunk volume are topped only by the Honda Civic at 419 litres.
The K4 leans heavily on hard buttons for its climate functions and to bring up the infotainment menus, and buttons are always better than tapping screen icons to reduce distraction. There are just a couple of things that could use improvement: The volume is a knurled metallic ring that can be awkward to spin up or down, and if you accidentally press it too hard – which can happen if you’re simultaneously going over a bump – it shuts the stereo off. Meanwhile, cabin temperature is indicated by a line of tiny red and blue lights above the switch, which can be hard to see in bright sunlight. Still, these are minor quibbles for an otherwise-simple system.
The gearshift is equally simple, being the traditional PRNDL rather than buttons or an electronic push-forward-for-reverse system; and the controls on the steering wheel are intuitive and easy to use. Even the cupholders are thoughtfully designed, with deployable inserts to securely hold smaller or larger cups.
What are the K4’s driver-assist features?
All trims come with emergency front braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go – if you’re in traffic and everything stops, the K4 will too, and then move forward again when it clears – lane-keep assist, driver attention warning, and the rearview camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic avoidance is on all trims except the base LX. The turbo models add highway driving assist.
What about value?
At $23,995 to $27,995, the K4 non-turbo models have that intelligent pricing mentioned earlier. The Hyundai Elantra, which also offers a hybrid powertrain, starts off less-expensive, as does the Toyota Corolla, which is $325 less than the K4; but the Honda Civic, Mazda3, and Volkswagen Jetta all have a higher starting price. The Kia also comes with a warranty that covers almost everything for five years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first.
Final Thoughts
The K4’s stance and styling suggest a sportier driving experience than it delivers – with the non-turbo 2.0L, that is – but overall, that’s not a bad thing. For those who simply want an everyday driver in a compact-sedan package, this one is worth checking out.
Pros
✔ Nothing fancy; it’s just a good solid driver
✔ Simple controls
✔ Long warranty
Cons
✘ No AWD available
✘ No hybrid available either
✘ Add $250 if you want anything other than black paint
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