As we get to the top of every 12 months, I replicate on the vehicles I’ve pushed, what I’ve appreciated, what I haven’t appreciated, and what probably the most vital and necessary autos of the 12 months are. I take into consideration cool expertise, drivability, person expertise, driving place, practicality and, in fact, value. After I roll all these issues collectively, there are often a couple of standout autos from at-home exams and media packages. As 2024 rolls to an in depth, and I’m sitting in Austin, Texas, as I write this, I feel I simply skilled probably the most vital car I’ve pushed in 2024: The 2025 Kia K4.
2025 Kia K4
Whereas I completely cherished the Dodge Charger Daytona I reviewed final week, and the brand new VW ID. Buzz is intelligent and funky, their value tags are only a bit stiff to make them probably the most vital autos I’ve pushed this 12 months.
The 2025 Kia K4 GT-line Turbo, nonetheless, begins at $29,245, together with vacation spot. Mix that with the actual fact it has first rate journey and dealing with for a car on this class, and you’ve got a successful mixture in addition to a really vital car.
What’s the 2025 Kia K4?
To raised align with international technique, Kia has began renaming its autos within the U.S., ditching precise phrases in favor of an alpha-numeric code. So, the Optima midsize sedan turned the K5, and now the Forte turns into the K4. It’s nonetheless a compact sedan, however its proportions do develop a bit. It’s about 3 inches longer and a pair of inches wider than the outgoing Forte.
It’ll are available in 5 trim ranges: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo, and the bottom value might be $23,145, together with vacation spot. The bottom engine might be a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder that delivers 147 horsepower, and it’s mated to a repeatedly variable transmission (CVT) — or as Kia likes to name it an “clever variable transmission.” The uplevel powertrain is a 1.6-liter, 4-cylinder turbo mated to a traditional 8-speed automated transmission.
It’ll get customary options resembling a 12.3-inch infotainment display, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, sensible key with passive entry and distant begin, adaptive cruise management, lane preserve help and automated excessive beams. Up-level options will embody heated-and-cooled seats, the 30-inch show that goes from gauge cluster to infotainment, a digital key, AI voice assistant, 360-degree digital camera, premium Harman Kardon-brand audio, Google factors of curiosity and MyQ storage door app integration.
Non turbo versus turbo powertrains
This media preview in Texas centered on the GT-Line fashions with all of the premium accents, and our take a look at autos had been tricked out with the out there Premium and Tech packages. The as-tested costs had been $28,345 for the GT-Line and $31,445 for the GT-Line Turbo.
So, was the $3k value distinction value it?
I’m going to say one thing that can most likely put me within the minority: No. When it comes to the powertrains, I actually appreciated the bottom 2.0-liter engine higher. It was extra evenly and persistently powered, and I didn’t discover any lag or lack for my driving maneuvers–and I’m on the extra aggressive facet of the spectrum. Certain, the additional 43 horsepower is good, however the tradeoff is a bit of lag. And I hate lag.
One other unpopular opinion: I didn’t hate the CVT. It didn’t really feel loud or whiny to me, and I feel it’s well-paired with the bottom engine. Bear in mind we’re speaking a couple of compact car that has a base value beneath $25k. It is a nice powertrain for that value level.
If you wish to deliver gas economic system into it, the two.0-liter engine delivers 33 mpg in mixed driving, whereas the 1.6-liter turbo will get 29 mpg. The EPA estimates that’s a couple of $200 financial savings between these two powertrains.
One curious factor I observed in regards to the 2025 Kia K4: Neither powertrain got here with automated cease/begin performance. Can I get an “Amen,” right here? I hate this function, and it usually has a clunky implementation, particularly in lower-cost autos. The actual fact K4 doesn’t have auto cease/begin is a big promoting level in my ebook. And it doesn’t seem gas economic system suffers due to it.
Driving dynamics
The 2025 Kia K4 is a plucky little car. Whereas I wouldn’t name it sporty, it’s simple to drive in addition to maneuverable. I performed round with the 2 drive modes, Sport and Regular, and the first change is to throttle mapping. So, car stays in decrease gears longer to help with faster accelerations when passing on the freeway. However there are not any suspension or steering tweaks.
I basically spent six hours behind the wheel of the K4 in a single day, and it didn’t matter if I used to be on floor streets or the freeway, it was comfy for the lengthy haul. I appreciated the seats, I appreciated the journey and dealing with, and I loved the drive. Whereas the GT-Line trims do get a multi-link rear suspension to help on-road consolation, the final drivability might be comparable all through the lineup. Plus, the ability output is similar from LX to GT-Line, and as beforehand acknowledged, it’s actually good.
The worth factors
With the common transaction value of a brand new car hitting the $48,000 level, the pricing of the 2025 Kia K4 could be very vital. Particularly for the reason that variety of autos which can be priced lower than $25,000, together with vacation spot, is lower than 10. That’s thoughts boggling. However the K4 is one such car, and it has two well-equipped trims priced under $25,000.
Right here’s the breakdown, together with vacation spot:
LX ($23,145):
This contains security tech resembling automated emergency braking, automated excessive beams, lane preserve help and adaptive cruise management in addition to options like a 12.3-inch touch-screen show, wi-fi Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a sensible key with passive entry and push-button begin and LED exterior lights.
LXS ($24,145):
This provides blind spot monitoring, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear cross visitors alert, 60/40 cut up folding rear seats, drive modes and a 6-speaker audio system.
EX ($25,145):
This provides 17-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital cluster, dual-zone automated local weather management, upgraded inside supplies and a wi-fi cellphone charger.
GT-Line ($26,345):
This provides a multi-link rear suspension, GT-Line exterior and inside styling, 18-inch alloy wheels, two-tone seats, energy driver’s seat, heated entrance seats and navigation.
GT-Line Turbo ($29,245):
This provides the 1.6-liter engine and 8-speed automated transmission, 18-inch black alloy wheels, LED projection headlights, artificial leather-based seats, sunroof, Harman Kardon premium audio and acoustic glass on the windshield.
Whereas most of those trims are WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get), there are two packages on the GT-Line fashions. A GT-Line Premium package deal ($,1,100) provides the Harman Kardon audio, artificial leather-based seats, reminiscence driver’ seat and mirrors, ventilated entrance seats and acoustic windshield. The GT-Line Turbo Tech package deal ($2,200) provides extra uplevel ahead collision avoidance tech, blind view monitor, reminiscence seats and facet mirrors, ventilated entrance seats, ambient lighting and the Digital Key 2.0.
Our take
Although this was only a fast first spin, it was lengthy sufficient to grasp it is a vital car – each by way of pricing and facilities. That is an economy-class car with some good upgrades. Because the Kia execs mentioned throughout the media presentation: That is every part a compact sedan proprietor wants and far more than they count on.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2024 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
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