The New Kia K4 Is Larger Than the Forte and Has Two Engine Choices
Kia’s fourth-gen compact sedan goes on sale within the US within the second half of 2024.
Kia launched the K4 final week, exhibiting its exterior and never a lot else. However on the 2024 New York Auto Present, Kia is spilling among the beans concerning the 2025 K4 sedan, which matches on sale in the US later this yr.
The K4 will arrive with two powertrain choices. The usual mill is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 147-horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque and pairs with a constantly variable transmission.
The elective engine is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder. It 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque whereas paired with an eight-speed computerized transmission with paddle shifters behind the steering wheel. If we’re fortunate, a GT mannequin may debut down the road with much more energy; the earlier Forte GT had 201 hp.
The corporate’s fourth-generation compact sedan replaces the Forte—however it’s even larger than the outgoing sedan. Kia says the K4 is the most important compact sedan in its phase, measuring 185.4 inches lengthy and 72.8 inches huge. It’s definitely larger than the Forte, which was 182.7 and 70.9 inches, respectively.
Inside, the additional size and width translate into 38.0 inches of rear legroom and 37.3 inches of rear headroom. The sedan additionally has 14.6 cubic toes of trunk area.
Kia will supply the K4 in 5 trims: LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo. Inside, 30 inches of display screen dominate the dashboard, with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto normal. Over-the-air updates and Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 with Extremely Wideband are additionally obtainable.
A Medium Grey inside is on the market on the LX, LSX, and EX. Slate Inexperienced can also be an possibility on the EX trim, whereas the GT-Line will get Onyx and Off-White interiors. The GT-Line fashions function heated entrance seats, however air flow and the motive force’s seat reminiscence operate are elective. A Harman Kardon audio can also be an obtainable improve.
The K4 adopts daring styling with a fastback roof styling that the corporate calls its “Opposites United” design route. It has a large stance accented by normal vertical LED headlights and taillights that take inspiration from the EV9. Kia even hid the rear door handles within the C-pillar.
The GT-Line stands out with distinctive entrance and rear fascias with gloss-black accents, 18-inch alloy wheels, a satin chrome beltline, and gloss-black mirror caps, window trim, and facet sills. The GT-Line Turbo will get much more visible goodies like LED projection headlights, LED fog lights, and distinctive wheels. Each GT trims have multi-link rear suspensions.
Kia additionally retains K4 occupants protected by together with a ton of ordinary security options. Rear facet airbags at the moment are normal, and the checklist of apparatus consists of lane-keep help, ahead collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and extra. Kia will even supply further security options like upgraded ahead collision warning on the GT-Line Turbo mannequin.
One factor that is still a thriller is the K4’s beginning value. The 2024 Kia Forte begins at $19,990, with the $1,155 vacation spot cost. It’ll seemingly tick upward a couple of thousand {dollars}, however it’ll must undercut the K5, which begins at $26,745 for 2024. Kia says it’ll launch pricing particulars and its exact arrival date nearer to when it’s on sale. The 2025 Kia K4 attain sellers within the second half of 2024.
