Kia's new K4 is a head-turning, fun compact sedan

This review first appeared in the May 2025 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

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Sacramento, California -- When Kia introduces something new, I pay attention.

That goes naturally for a car company that went from making cheap machinery to producing some of the best motor vehicles rolling on our roadways.

My latest week was in a 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line, a head-turning compact sedan with a surprising amount of interior space.

It didn't just turn my head.  Other heads also were on a swivel, thanks to a sleek, aerodynamic design that seems to go on forever at the back end.

Can't say that about a lot of compacts these days.

But wait, there's more.

The nearly 73-inch width leads the compact sedan segment.

“By juxtaposing the K4’s fastback roofline and wide stance, we split the difference visually between the compact and midsize segments,” explained Tom Kearns, chief designer with Kia Design Center America. “The creative tension that the 'Opposites United' design language stresses allowed us to improvise on the traditional three-box form factor.”

Sure, okay.  Myself and a few volunteer passengers simply thought it looked cool. Oh, it's also fun to drive.

The standard 2-liter, four-cylinder engine on the tester was rated at 147 horsepower, enough to handle pretty much everything in this segment.  But please note, the 2025 K4 can be equipped with a 1.6-liter turbo that raises the horsepower curve to a power-packed 190.

Passengers remarked at the spacious interior for a compact model, and they were equally impressed by the generous perks that came with my ride, priced at an entirely reasonable $28,345 on the sticker's bottom line.

Standard features included driver-attention warning, smart cruise control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with myriad functions and a wireless phone charger.  Optional extras included heated front seats and a power sunroof with sunshade.

The special GT-Line package added more goodies: a primo Harman Kardon audio system, black exterior accents and a sport steering wheel (with paddle shifters) among them.

Yeah, all that for way less than 30-grand. Typical of Kia to stuff more in for less money than one would spend elsewhere for the same amount of features.

Fuel mileage is pretty good too at 29 miles per gallon in the city and 39 mpg on the highway for the 2-liter power plant.

Ordinarily, seasoned auto buyers recommend waiting until the second generation of a new model hits the market before writing a check for those wheels.

Frankly, I see no reason to wait with this K4.  It pleases varied tastes with multiple trim levels ... for a price that's easy on the checkbook.

All in all, an excellent new kid on the block.