Sedans, in the United States, are dying. As much as we all love them, the world at large would rather have the perceived practicality and capability of a crossover than the sleek lines and tighter handling of a lower sedan. Luckily for us few, though, the automakers haven’t thrown in the towel on four-doors yet — in fact, Kia is trying to up the game with the new K4.
Wednesday marks the full official reveal of the Kia K4, which we’d previously seen only in teaser images. We’ve got photos, specs, even the specific powertrain options the car offer on launch. The sedan isn’t going anywhere, any time soon — at least not if Kia has anything to say about it.
The 2025 Kia K4, which is expected to go on sale in the back half of 2024, fills a Forte-shaped hole in the automaker’s lineup. The K4 is slightly bigger than its predecessor, as new cars so often are — about two and a half inches longer in length and two inches wider than the outgoing model, for a total of 185.4 inches long and 72.8 inches wide —but the styling paints the K4 as larger than its dimensions suggest
The wide fenders, angles headlights, and massive D pillar all serve to maintain the illusion that this car is bigger than it is. The K4’s overall look would fit right in with the finest European super sedans, though the car may not hold its own once those competitors got fired up. In fact, with identical torque and less horsepower relative to the old Forte, it may not even hold its own against its former self. Adding size and subtracting power isn’t often a formula for winning races.
The K4’s base engine, like the Forte before it, is a naturally aspirated two-liter four-cylinder making 142 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. The upgraded GT-Line engine option, a 1.6 turbo, matches its predecessor on their shared 195 lb-ft but loses out to the Forte’s 201 horsepower with a slower 190. Perhaps an eventual GT model will add the power back.
The new K4 also boasts the usual suite of driver safety features: Intelligent speed limiting, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise, optional forward collision avoidance, the gang’s all here. Smart tech, though, is up from the competition — The K4 has over-the-air updates, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital keys, and a voice assistant to change the temperature when you’re too focused on apexes.
The K4’s interior is nice and cleanly laid out, with a center screen that flows naturally into the gauge cluster without feeling like a stuck-on iPad. This seems to be the way the auto industry is moving, and I for one support it. Sure, the halcyon days of everything being double-din are gone, but we can at least appreciate a cool install while we have it.
Kia hasn’t revealed pricing information for the K4 yet, but it replaces the sub-$20,000 Forte — don’t expect supercar money. The company did reveal, however, that it expects the bike to arrive on North American shores later this year.