Kia still believes in sedans and the new 2025 K4 is a car that’s using its looks to get noticed in the shrinking compact sedan market. The new Kia K4 GT-Line sedan has sleek styling and an expressive new face with LED lighting that seems to snake up the hood before disappearing to make for a standout car. The body is long, and you’d think it’s a hatchback with the higher rear roofline, but it’s a regular sedan with a normal trunk. If you choose the GT-Line trim level, sleek 18-inch wheels and gloss black trim pieces give it more of a sport sedan look.
Inside, there is some room to spread out, good head and legroom, even for those riding in the backseat which is impressive for this class. This new Kia comes nicely equipped. Heated and ventilated seats and a big sunroof on the GT-Line model were a surprise at the price point. The leather-wrapped steering wheel and paddle shifter also give a sportier vibe compared with many compact sedans I’ve driven. You also get screens with the 2025 K4 that stretch across half the dash. The driver now gets a 12.3-inch screen for the instrument panel and a second 12.3-inch screen that covers the NAV/audio and HVAC controls with redundant buttons for some functions.
The looks and interior are very impressive, and the driving experience is also vastly improved from previous Kia sedans. The ride is more composed and less jumpy on our rough roads. The K4 GT-Line feels confident in the corners thanks to its sport-tuned suspension. It might not be the quickest compact sedan I’ve driven but the base engine will satisfy most buyers, and the fuel economy is good for a non-hybrid sedan. Need more punch? For a bit more money, there’s a version with a peppy turbo engine.
Cost: $25,190; as tested $28,345
MPG: 29 MPG City; and 39 MPG Highway. I managed 35.2 in 656 miles of mixed driving.
Options: $1,100 GT-Line premium package; $900 GT-Line sunroof package
Safety: Blind spot collision avoidance assist-pedestrian; rear cross traffic collision-avoidance assist; forward collision avoidance-assist, cyclist & junction turning; vehicle stability management; safe exit assist with power child lock; smart cruise with stop-go; parking collision avoidance-rear
Things to know: The new K4 feels more like a premium sedan but with a price that isn’t. It has good looks and features lots of space.
Pros:
- Impressive interior space and high-quality materials.
- New standout styling makes the humble compact sedan fresh.
- Long Warranty; 10 years for power train coverage and 5 years for basic warranty.
Cons:
- Sleek style leads to limited rear vision out the back window.
- Watch your head when getting in the back.
- Could use a little bit more steering feel when in the corners.
