2025 KIA K4 Compact Sedan: More Room, More Tech

Kia unveiled the all-new 2025 compact four-door K4 at the 2024 New York International Auto Show on March 27.

As Kia’s fourth-generation compact sedan, the K4 has the largest footprint in the compact segment, according to Kia, with an overall length of 185.4 inches and a width of 72.8 inches. Rear passengers have a class-leading 38 inches of legroom and class-leading headroom 37.3 inches.

The K4 is expected to arrive in five trim levels: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo.

Powertrain Choices

The front-wheel-drive K4 will offer two powertrain choices. The standard 2.0-liter engine produces 147 horsepower and nearly132 lb.-ft. of torque and is matched with an intelligently variable transmission (IVT).

An optional 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine sends 190 horsepower 195 lb.-ft. of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters and sport pedals complete the sportier package.

The K4 has standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as an available multi-segment display cockpit with a 30-inch digital instrumentation screen, which enables camera-feed visibility of the car’s surroundings.

Options include Digital Key 2.0 with Ultra Wideband, Harman Kardon premium audio, heated and ventilated front seats, and a wide sunroof.

Kia Assistant & Generative AI

Kia Connect’s available voice assistant offers access to various vehicle functions such as climate control and audio. Kia says it is working to enhance the Kia Assistant’s functionality with generative AI to be able to provide information on many topics, such as stocks, sports scores, owner’s manual content, and local points of interest.

The Kia Assistant is designed to listen for follow-up questions and to interact with the driver in a more conversational way.

ADAS Integrations

The K4 offers the Kia ADAS suite, including standard Intelligent Speed Limit Assist (ISLA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), and Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go (SCC w/ S&G).

Central to the available driver assistance technology on the K4 is Forward Collision Avoidance 1.5 (FCA-1.5), which is designed to help detect and prevent collisions from occurring in certain circumstances, and detect vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists in front of the vehicle while driving (FCA-CPC), as well as oncoming vehicles while turning left at an intersection (FCA-JT). Haptic steering wheel warnings add tactile alerts for the driver.

In addition, the K4 adds standard rear-side airbags for a total of eight.