Compact cars might not steal the spotlight in a world obsessed with SUVs, but the 2025 Kia K4 tries hard to make a statement by forgoing its old name and adopting a whole new look inside and out. Having come away impressed with the K4 in sunny and warm Austin, we embarked on this test to see if we’d change our tune in the freezing, snowy, and slushy streets close to home.
Formerly known as the Forte, one of the more distinct points of the K4 is its new look. Kia calls their new design language Opposites United; we’ve seen it rolling out slowly but surely on brand-new and existing-but-facelifted models. Here on the K4, it’s polarizing, and in my opinion, overstyled. Its fastback profile, sharp creases, and stacked LED headlights scream for attention in a segment where buyers typically favour subtlety and simplicity. These bold choices might look novel and stand out today, but there’s a high likelihood that the K4 would look outdated in just a few short years. It tries to be too many things at once, and I can’t help but think Kia’s effort to appear daring comes at the expense of restraint.
Stepping into the cabin reveals a mixed bag. On one hand, the design is thoughtful and prioritizes comfort and functionality. The 12.3-inch touchscreen is crisp and seamlessly integrates wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Tactile climate controls are a saving grace on frigid January mornings when gloves are absolutely necessary. The heated seats and steering wheel warm up very quickly. Bonus points for the standard remote start, even on the base LX trim—and you don’t need an app to use it. Living with the K4 in the dead of winter is easy.
The K4’s cabin feels larger than you would expect. I think a lot of this comes from the dash design, which makes the space feel uncluttered. The wireless charging pad is a convenient touch, and the adjustable cupholders can be configured so you can use the space as a storage bin instead. Unfortunately, the K4’s front seats feel a little stiff and narrow, and the large plastic backing feels like a far-too-obvious cost-cutting design.
Rear passengers benefit from class-leading legroom and generous headroom, and the K4’s quiet and refined overall nature makes this an excellent space for a small car. That said, heated rear seats are limited to the most expensive, range-topping GT-Line trim.
Speaking of trims, our particular tester is the mid-level EX trim, topping out at $26,745 as-tested. This is puts it directly in-line with competitors like the Elantra Preferred, the Mazda3 GS, and the Corolla SE. The “base” Civic LX and mid-level Jetta Comfortline are the priciest of the bunch, at $27,840 and $28,195, respectively. Many of these rivals are pretty much a dead heat in terms of comfort and bells-and-whistles, but they also offer hybrid powertrains and/or all-wheel-drive on upper-end models—both of which the K4 notably lacks no matter the trim. Still, the K4 is competitive, with features like blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control—and yes, remote start—standard.
On the road, the K4 genuinely impressed me with its composure. It handled our pothole-ridden roads and snowy conditions exceptionally well, feeling much quieter, composed, and refined than what you’d expect from a compact sedan. The adaptive cruise control and lane-tracing deserve special call-outs—it operates smoothly and confidently even in poor weather, with minimal driver intervention. It’s rare to see systems this capable in this segment, and goes a long way in taking the stress out of longer drives in heavy traffic less-than-stellar weather.
The powertrain is adequate but uninspiring. Powered by a 2.0-litre normally aspirated four-cylinder engine, the K4 delivers 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain is carried over from the Forte and is shared with the base Elantra; it’s smooth and predictable around town, but feels underwhelming on the highway. Paired with the CVT, it’s clear the K4 favours efficiency over excitement, especially having averaged 7.7 L/100 km during our week—and that’s with making generous use of the remote starter. For those seeking more power, the GT-Line comes with a 1.6-litre turbo-four good for 201 hp.
I just can’t help but feel some of Kia’s cost-cutting decisions undermine what could’ve been a truly standout package in the compact segment. For example, only the driver’s window gets auto up-and-down functionality, and the lack of an auto mode for the climate control feels like an odd omission. Additionally, this K4’s “base” digital gauge cluster—the speed and tach readouts bear more than a passing resemblance to a clock radio, with a configurable four-inch display in the middle—pales in comparison to the full-LCD units its competitors offer.
The 2025 Kia K4 EX delivers on many of the basics: a comfortable ride, solid technology, and impressive practicality. However, its polarizing design, sometimes blatant cost-cutting, and lack of drivetrain variety hold it back from being the class leader it could be. That said, it’s hard to ignore how well it drives, the strength of its driver assists, and its excellent use of interior space. No matter the weather, the K4 is a capable and confident compact car that ticks many of the right boxes, even if it leaves you wanting just a little more.
