#KiaK4
#2025KiaK4GTLine
#KiaK4Turbo

A stylish new compact sedan will soon be added to the Kia lineup to replace the current Forte, and it will bear the name K4 and slot under the larger K5 family sedan. The K4 wears a fastback roofline that draws inspiration from the Stinger sports sedan and wide rear fenders that give the car a sporty stance. The base engine will be the same 147-hp four-cylinder that powered last year's Forte. A 190-hp turbocharged four is exclusive to the top-rung GT-Line Turbo trim. The K4 is slightly larger than the outgoing Forte, and Kia says the interior is roomier, particularly for rear-seat riders, aligning it with other compact sedans such as the Honda Civic, the Mazda 3, the Toyota Corolla, and the Volkswagen Jetta. Luckily, we won't have to wait long to drive one, as the K4 is due in Kia dealerships in fall 2024. We will have to wait a bit longer for the handsome hatchback variant, which Kia says will launch in the U.S. later, possibly for the 2026 model year.

Most K4 models have a 147-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive, and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain is a direct carry-over from the 2024 Forte and in that car, we found this combination to feel quite sluggish. That attribute isn't likely to change in the K4, but luckily Kia is offering a 190-hp turbo 1.6-liter four as an upgrade engine. The more powerful powertrain is exclusive to the GT-Line Turbo trim and it comes with a conventional eight-speed automatic. The GT-Line Turbo also comes with a more sophisticated multi-link rear suspension, whereas all the other K4s come with a torsion-beam setup. When we get a chance to drive both models, we'll update this story with driving impressions and instrumented test results.

While we don't know the size of the K4's standard infotainment setup, we know that upper trims will come with a multi-screen arrangement that sees two 12.3-inch displays combined in one continuous flat panel. One serves as a reconfigurable gauge cluster while the other does duty as the main point of access for features such as navigation, radio, climate control, and more. A third, 5.0-inch display sits between the two larger ones and provides access to climate controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard; SiriusXM satellite radio and in-dash navigation will also likely be available across the K4's lineup.