Our First Look at the All-New 2025 Kia K4

At the 2024 New York Auto Show, Kia has unveiled the brand new 2025 K4, a compact sedan that will replace the Forte in the brand’s lineup later this year. Here are some of the most important things to know about this distinctively styled model:

A Bold exterior Design

The 2024 Kia K4 adopts an unmistakable appearance by leveraging some of the most distinctive design elements of other recent Kia models, such as the K5 sedan and the all-electric EV9 SUV. For example, the K4 displays a fastback-like roof profile that recalls the K5, but its vertical LED headlamps and taillamps are inspired by the EV9. Compared with the current Forte, the K4 is longer and wider, making it the largest compact sedan on the market and giving it a unique appearance in the segment. Other fun design touches include hidden rear door handles and unique alloy wheels. Like many other Kia models, the K4 also benefits from a GT-Line model which enhances its overall style with additional accents, such as a black grille and black mirror caps.

A technological cockpit

The centerpiece of the interior of the new 2025 Kia K4 is undoubtedly the combined digital display panel. As in other recent Kia models, this panel sat atop the dashboard includes both the driver information screen and the infotainment screen, placing all of the controls closer to the driver and giving the cabin a resolutely modern feel. These screens run the brand’s latest operating system, which means wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard on all models and over-the-air updates can be used to keep the car up to date when new features are added in the coming years. The K4 also comes with the Digital Key 2 Touch system which uses the driver’s phone as the vehicle’s key, and the available voice-activated assistant. In order to distinguish itself further from other compact sedans and give buyers more choice to personalize their vehicle, the 2025 Kia K4 can be ordered with four different interior colours depending on the trim level, including green and white options.

Advanced Driver Assistance

Of course, the 2025 Kia K4 benefits from the latest in terms of driver assistance technologies developed by Kia, which means that it offers up to 29 features engineered specifically to keep drivers and passengers safe at all times. These features include junction-turning support for the forward collision warning system, standard adaptive cruise control, Evasive Steering Assist, and the advanced semi-autonomous Highway Driving Assist 2, which can perform lane changes automatically when requested by the driver.

Under the hood

Under its futuristic exterior design, the 2025 Kia K4 benefits from proven engines that will be familiar to current owners of the Forte. Indeed, the new K4 will maintain the Forte’s acclaimed fuel efficiency and dynamics by using the same two four-cylinder engines. The standard powertrain will thus remain a 2.0L naturally-aspirated engine that generates 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, and the top-of-the-line GT-Line Turbo version will be powered by a 1.6L turbocharged engine that is good for 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque. While the standard engine will continue to be paired with the efficient IVT transmission, the turbo will now be mated to a traditional 8-speed automatic in place of the previous dual-clutch unit for increased smoothness at low speeds. The GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo versions will also receive a unique multilink rear suspension to provide a more dynamic feel out on the road.

Contact us to learn more about the new 2025 Kia K4!