2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: A New Design Language And Name Change

 

Highlight: The compact sedan will soon be available as a hatchback.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $31,445 (Base Trim MSRP): $ 23,165

Seating Capacity: 5 passenger seating

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a backup camera; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; rear cross traffic avoidance; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist; a forward collision assist system; a vehicle stability system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (GT-Line Turbo):18-inch alloy wheels; 1.6 turbo gasoline engine; an 8-speed automatic transmission; a rear multi-link suspension; a sport tuned suspension;  steering wheel mounted paddle shifters; a variety of driver’s mode; 17-inch allow wheels; gloss black radiator with grille with chrome trim; 12-inch infotainment cluster; leather-like seating trim;19-way power driver’s seat; heated front seats; 60/40 spilt rear seat; rear seat center armrest with cupholder; passenger seat back pocket; a dual zone temperature control; two tweeter speakers; wireless charging; power passenger window up/down; blind spot avoidance assist; rear cross traffic collision avoidance; safe exit warning; acoustic windshield; power sunroof; sunvisor sliding type with LED illumination; syntex transmission gear shift knob; three-spoke sport steering wheel; a dual zone automatic climate control system; rear climate vents; a Kia voice assist system; a radar-activated cruise control system with highway driver assist; and a navigation system

Options:

Smartphone digital key

Memory driver’s seat and outside mirrors

Reverse parking collision assist

Ventilated front seats

Parking collision avoidance assist

Parking distance warning assist

Co-pilot driving assist system

360-degree camera

A blind spot view monitor

Multi-color LED ambient lighting

Other Trim Levels:

LXS

EX

GT-Line

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: a Harman/Kardon audio system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes (test model)

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 1.6-liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder /190-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 26-city/36-hwy (test model)

What’s New: The K4, which is formerly known as the Forte, is all-new for the 2025 model year.

Why:

Roomy

18-inch wheels available

A variety of trims

1.6-liter turbo on GT-Line turbo

A high-level of available features

Two powertrains available

A high-level of safety driving aids

A dual zone automatic climate control system

A 12-inch infotainment system

A navigation system

Wireless phone charger

Heated front seats

One of the best new car warranties and powertrains in the industry

Power sunroof available

Pseudo leather seating available

SiriusXM available

An 8-speaker audio system available

But:

A polarizing exterior design (resembles the larger K5 midsize sedan)

Base pricing of the K4 is $2,000 more than the Forte it replaced

No hybrid powertrain available

Horsepower of the new GT-Line turbo is slightly less than the Forte it replaced

Verdict: The all-new compact K4 has not only gone through a name change, but styling direction, too. The K4 was formerly known as the Forte. The all-new K4, which mirrors the styling of the all-new K5, is about $2,000 more than the model it replaced.

The K4 is available with two 4-cylinder powertrains. The downside is that neither of the two or electrified or a hybrid offering.

The K4, with its non-conventional exterior styling direction, seems to follow the trend of its sibling from Hyundai, the Elantra. While we prefer the styling direction of the Honda Civic, Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, for those seeking an affordable, roomy sedan with a host of features, the K4 should be considered.

Depending on the trim, the K4 can be outfitted with such features as a radar-activated cruise control system, heated and ventilated from seats, an array of high-tech safety driving aids and a power panoramic sunroof.

Moreover, the K4 offers a huge driver's information cluster and infotainment screen, too. At a base price point near #23,000, the K4 is still a best bet in terms of pricing, warranty and features as the average transaction price of a new vehicle nears $50,000.

Competition: Honda Civic; Hyundai Elantra; Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla