Text by Tom Appel
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line
Specs
Class: Comnpact Sedan
Country of Manufacture: Mexico
Color: Morning Haze
Seating Capacity: 5
Miles driven: 177
Real-world fuel economy: 30.7 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | B |
| Power and Performance | B |
| Fit and Finish | B |
| Fuel Economy | A |
| Value | A |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B+ |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 147-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Type | 4-Cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT-automatic |
| Drive Wheels | Front-wheel drive |
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 29/39/33 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Regular Gas
Base price: $25,190 (not including $1155 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: GT-Line Premium Package ($1100), GT-Line Sunroof Package ($900)
Price as tested: $28,345
Pros and Cons
The great: Attractive pricing, sophisticated drive experience
The good: Roomy cabin, excellent fuel economy
The not so good: Limited availability of turbocharged engine
Review
To align its American product better with its international offerings, Kia has done a bit of model-name shuffling—none of which of we fully approve. For the 2021 model year the Kia Optima midsize sedan became the Kia K5. And for 2025—you may see this one coming—the compact Kia Forte sedan has been renamed the K4. While we appreciate uniformity, Kia isn’t practicing similar discipline with its crossovers, and, Optima and Forte were pretty good names.
From Forte to K4
The name part is the bad news. The good news is that the K5 is a pretty good car, as is the redesigned Forte nee K4.
The Forte has long—and seemingly secretly—been a pretty strong seller. Though not as popular as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, the Forte has sold about as well as the Nissan Sentra and Hyundai Elantra.
Here’s the really good news: the K4 is an even better car than the Forte.
Design
Completely new on the outside, the K4 boasts clean, modern styling, a mildly controversial profile, and a new-for-2026 hatchback variant.
Inside, the K4 also feels simple and modern. As is the trend, the K4 features a single, contiguous dash screen which functions as both the instrument panel, and console infotainment touchscreen. The overall look is functional and uncomplicated.
Both of the Forte’s engines return for 2025. As Found in the K4, the base 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower, while the available 1.6-liter turbocharged powerplant cranks out 190. The 2.0 mates to a CVT-style automatic, while the turbocharged engine is fitted with a conventional 8-speed unit. All K4s are front-wheel drive.
Prices and Trim Levels
For 2025, the K4 is offered in five trim levels:
LX ($23,165)
LXS ($24,165)
EX ($25,165)
GT-Line ($26,345)
GT-Line Turbo ($29,265)
GT-Line versus GT-Line Turbo
Ony the GT-Line Turbo is outfitted with the 1.6-liter turbo, the other trim levels come with the 2.0-liter mill. Interestingly, The sporty GT-Line and GT-Line come with a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, which contributes both to improved handling, and better ride control. Other K4 models make use of a humbler torsion-beam setup.
Consumer Guide recently spent a week behind the wheel of a 2025 K4 GT-Line in Morning Haze and equipped with the GT-Line Premium Package and Sunroof Package. Including destination charge, our test car came to $28,345.
We didn’t find much wrong with the new K4, but plenty to like. Here we’d like to share five cool things about the 2025 Kia K4:
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line: 5 Cool Things
It’s Big
There is a surprising amount of passenger space in the new K4, enough for four adults to ride in comfort, even on long trips. Large door openings make easy work of entering and exiting the compact Kia. And speaking of long trips, the K4’s trunk accommodates up to 15 cubic-feet of luggage, or whatever you’re hauling.
It’s Small
Though larger than compact sedans once were, the K4 casts a tidy shadow, which makes for easy parking-garage maneuvers, and allows for sneaky moves in heavy traffic. And, being a relatively small vehicle, the K4—in GT-Line trim—returns surprising fuel economy. Consumer Guide averaged almost 31 mpg, which is mighty thrifty for a non-hybrid small car.
It’s Fun to Drive
We haven’t driven a K4 with the standard rear suspension, but can report that, in GT-Line trim, the small Kia sedan is a hoot to drive, and serves up excellent ride quality. Plus, though down on power compared to the available turbocharged engine, the 2.0-liter mill delivers useful torque at low speeds, allowing for relatively spirited sprints away from stoplights.
We’d love to see an AWD version of the K4, but that’s unlikely to ever happen. Still, even in Snowbelt states, the K4’s front-drive drivetrain should be fine during even the snowiest winters.
It’s Easy on the Gas
We noted above that our test K4 returned almost 31 mpg in routine driving. That’s 2-mpg shy of the EPA combined-mpg estimate, but in all honesty, this spunky sedan invites spirited driving, which can impact fuel economy.
It’s Affordable
Seriously, you can’t beat K4 pricing. Our very well-equipped GT-Line came in under $29,000, which is frankly a bargain. Shoppers looking for a more-conservative version of the K4 are advised to check out the midline EX, which can be had for at least $1000 less than the GT-Line, depending on how you equip it.
While we would never talking a consumer out of a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla, we strongly suggest that shoppers in this segment take a close look at Kia’s redesigned small sedan. There’s great value to be found in the K4, and, properly equipped, a good deal of practical fun, too.
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2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Pictures
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