2025 Kia K4 Sedan Unveiled: A Roomy Replacement for the Forte
Unveiled at the 2024 New York International Auto Show, the K4 will replace the Forte in Kia’s compact sedan lineup. With the K4, Kia tried to make it so “compact” doesn’t have to mean a cramped interior.
Kia claims that the K4’s 38 inches of legroom and 37 inches of headroom are the best in its segment. The new sedan achieves this with just a marginal increase in overall dimensions compared to its predecessor. The K4 is about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide, while the outgoing 2024 Forte is around 183 inches long and 71 inches wide. The K4’s fastback design helps enable its roomier interior. I think it looks way better than the K4 and is a rare sight in its class.
In the United States, the 2025 K4 will have two powertrain options. The standard model comes with a 2.0-liter engine that produces up to 147 hp and 132 lb-ft. of torque delivered through an intelligently variable transmission (IVT). The zippier 1.6-liter turbocharged option produces up to 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. of torque and is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Both promise a good mix of efficiency and fun, especially with the sportier suspension setup in the GT-Line models.
The 2025 K4 hops on the digital dash trend, with the front digital displays stretching to a total of nearly 30 inches, compared to the tame single central display on the Forte. That may or may not be a pro, depending on your preference, but at least Kia kept a few physical buttons around, particularly the temperature controls. Kia, of course, had to pepper in generative AI in their new compact sedan in the form of the Kia Connect voice assistant. I’m not sure how broad the assistant’s use case is supposed to be, but Kia says it can “provide information on many topics, such as stocks, sports scores, owner’s manual content, local points of interest, and much more.”
Thankfully, the new displays and user interface do come with other objectively convenient modern tech. Both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available in all 2025 K4 models. The Digital Key 2.0 feature will also let owners use compatible Apple and Samsung mobile devices (and even NFC-enabled smart cards) as virtual keys to lock and unlock the car. The keys can also be shared via SMS, as long as the recipient also has a compatible device.
Safety also gets a boost with technology in the 2025 K4. It has 29 advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including Forward Collision Avoidance 2, which uses haptics on the steering wheel to warn the driver. For imminent collisions with oncoming vehicles, FCA-2 will alert the driver with additional audiovisual warnings and automatically apply the brakes.
Kia also claims that the K4 is the only compact sedan with Evasive Steering Assist, which detects people and objects that are dangerously close. It then helps the driver steer clear if there is space to avoid a collision. All 2025 K4 models also have rear-side airbags as an extra layer of safety.
While Kia hasn’t released pricing and trim options yet, we do know that the 2025 K4 will arrive in the US in the second half of 2024. The LX and LXS models only come in Medium Gray. The EX model comes in Medium Gray or Slate Green. Finally, the GT-Line option adds Onyx and Off-white to the color options.
