Kia Ups Its Game With the New K4 Sedan

Kia welcomes an exciting addition to the 2025 lineup in the form of the K4 compact sedan. Following in the footsteps of the midsize K5, the new compact boasts all the value and reliability drivers have come to expect from the Kia brand in a brand-new package. Available as a four-door sedan or a five-door hatchback, the K4 is just one part of a comprehensive refresh that has seen Kia introduce a range of all-electric models, unveil a new logo, and replace many of its existing vehicles with new offerings that are designed to meet the needs of today’s drivers. 

The K4 is a perfect example of this trend, upping the high bar set by the Forte with a more spacious interior and sleek design that slots in well alongside new Kia models like the EV6, EV9, and Niro EV. The new sedan offers a 190-hp turbocharged engine and a roomy backseat that leads the compact class in terms of second-row legroom, but it’s the K4’s low starting price that really makes the most compelling case for scheduling a test drive here at your local Kia dealer near Alcoa. 

The sedan’s LX trim starts just below $22k, making the K4 a notable bargain in a day and age when the average transaction price for a new car hovers dangerously close to $50k. This gives the K4 a real edge in the market, especially when you consider the fact that the K4 feels like anything but a budget buy. Kia has infused the compact with eye-catching style, a modern interior that’s packed with the latest in comfort, convenience, and safety tech, and even a GT-Line Turbo trim that dramatically ups the excitement factor without ballooning the bottom line. 

What has us so excited about the K4? Read on and find out as we explore this intriguing new Kia model.

Making Style a Priority 

Many compact sedans, especially those in the K4’s price range, tend to be pretty pedestrian as far as exterior styling is concerned. Kia has broken that tired mold with the K4, infusing the new compact with the sort of progressive style that wouldn’t be out of place in the upper end of the segment. The K4 is inspired by the Stinger sports sedan, but it’s Kia’s new Opposites United design philosophy that has the most noticeable impact on the car’s looks. The Opposites United design philosophy is an innovative approach that sees the brand enshrine the concepts of disruption and contrast to deliver alluring new designs that are lightyears ahead of previous models. 

The K4 has all the hallmarks of a contemporary compact, including a minimalistic exterior with hidden rear door handles, but it adds a few notable flourishes that help the sedan stand out in a crowd. Just take the K4’s headlights and taillights, for example. Featuring both vertical and horizontal lighting elements, the headlights and taillights are crafted with a sharp style that gives the wallet-friendly compact an edgier look. The K4’s creased sheet metal adds a little complexity to the exterior, as do the streamlined side-mirror supports and unique alloy wheels with a black machined finish.    

Get Your Thrills With the GT-Line Turbo

While the K4 might not be able to match the Stinger in terms of pure performance, it does stack up quite well when compared to the rest of the compact sedan segment. This is especially true when opting for the available 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, which puts a full 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque at your disposal. With the ability to speed from zero to sixty in as little as 7.1 seconds, the K4’s GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo trims offer the sort of performance that few might expect from a sub-$30k compact. 

The latter trim also adds a full arsenal of high-end components designed to elevate the everyday driving experience, from a multi-link rear suspension to an eight-speed automatic that replaces the continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) found in the rest of the lineup. Most impressively, this sort of performance doesn’t come at the cost of fuel economy, with the K4 doing the compact segment proud by offering an EPA-estimated 29 MPG in the city and 39 MPG on the highway that’ll have you making fewer stops on your next trip to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That’s a solid showing in the compact class, especially when compared to many of the purely gas-powered models on offer.    

A Tech-Forward Interior 

When it comes to the K4’s interior, Kia has managed to craft a cutting-edge cabin that’s futuristic without coming across as overly fussy. The centerpiece of the K4’s cabin would have to be the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system (ccNC), which covers nearly 30 inches with dual displays that stretch clear across the dashboard. The infotainment display includes two 12.3-inch displays and a third 5-inch screen that sits between the two and provides instant access to the climate control system without a bunch of menu diving that can open the door to dangerous distractions. First debuting on the 2024 Kia EV, ccNC is a one-stop shop that allows drivers to access all the convenience and connectivity functions they could ask for. 

But it’s not just the ccNC’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and in-dash navigation that has us so excited. The system also enables over-the-air updates that let the K4 evolve and grow, integrating new features, fixing potential bugs, and addressing any security issues that might arise while you enjoy a picnic at or catch a Little League baseball game at Springbrook Park. The K4 is the first Kia to showcase the brand’s new AI Assistant voice control technology, which offers hands-free access to various vehicle functions simply by saying “Hey Kia.” Optional equipment packages up the K4’s tech game even further, introducing an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, ambient lighting, ventilated front seats, and a Digital Key 2.0 with ultra-wideband that lets drivers use their smartphone or NFC-enabled smart card to access and start the vehicle.   

A Trim for Every Driver

Kia has been aggressively updating its lineup with slick styling and new, ultra-efficient powertrains, but that doesn’t mean it’s lost sight of what made it such a standout in the first place. Value has always been a key part of the Kia formula, and that certainly hasn’t fallen by the wayside. US News & World Report recognized four Kia models as part of its 2024 “Best Cars for the Money” awards, with the Telluride, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage Plug-In Hybrid, and Soul all earning a nod from the prestigious publication. The K4 looks to build on this impressive streak with five distinct trims that offer progressively better performance, comfort, and convenience, all while keeping the compact below $30k. 

It all starts with the LX trim, which punches well above its modest price tag with a host of handy advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like smart cruise control with stop-and-go technology, lane keeping and following, high-beam assist, auto emergency braking, and more. The LXS adds even more safety-focused features into the mix, including rear cross-traffic collision avoidance assist, safe exit warning, and blind-spot detection, not to mention a drive mode select system that gives drivers the opportunity to choose between Normal and Sport modes as they cruise up Route 129 for a night out in Knoxville. 

The EX offers a range of premium materials and comfort-enhancing tech like dual-zone automatic climate control, a wireless phone charger, and a SynTex-wrapped steering wheel and gear selector. The GT-Line provides the same sporty styling as the GT-Line Turbo with 18-inch sport alloy wheels, gloss black accents, a three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters, and exclusive front and rear fascias. The range-topping GT-Line Turbo is the only version that can be had with the 190-hp turbocharged engine, not to mention LED cube projector headlights, the Harman Kardon audio system, and an ultra-wide sunroof that creates a bright, airy cabin. 

A New Year, A New Sedan

Kia has truly outdone itself with the introduction of the K4 compact. Fusing modern style and advanced interior tech with the reliability and affordability that’s long made Kia a favorite among discerning drivers, the new sedan serves as a promising look at where the brand is headed. Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy is on full display in the K4, providing the compact with an appealing exterior that would fit in well amongst some dedicated luxury and performance models. Speaking of performance, the GT-Line Turbo offers power in spades with a 190-hp engine, multi-link rear suspension, eight-speed automatic transmission, and everything else you’ll need to inject a little excitement into your daily drive. 

The K4’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit operating system (ccNC) gives drivers the opportunity to monitor relevant driving data, control various functions, and stream their favorite content across two massive displays while the full suite of ADAS creates a safer ride that provides as much security as the Millennium Manor. Throw a range of diverse, well-rounded trims, and it’s hard to make a case against Kia’s newest model. Want to learn more about the K4 compact sedan? Cruise into Rusty Wallace Kia of Knoxville and test drive the enticing new Kia today.