2025 Kia K4 First Drive Review: Bigger, Better, and MORE EXPENSIVE

Small sedan sales continue to trend in the wrong direction, but that hasn’t stopped Kia from launching a sleek new entry meant to satisfy shoppers who remain committed to the compact car.

00:00 Intro
00:30 Interior
01:08 Practicality
02:07 Powertrain
04:24 Pricing
06:00 Comfort

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Our automotive experts Jodi and Dan (also best friends) have a combined 25 years of expertise in the automotive journalism industry and get together to host our podcast, Own the Road with AutoTrader. Jodi Lai is an award-winning automotive journalist with a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University (Ryerson), is a member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), and a jury member for the North American Car/Truck/Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY). Jodi is the Editor-in-Chief of AutoTrader and the recipient of the prestigious 2022 AJAC Journalist of the Year Award. Dan Ilika is AutoTrader’s Road Test Editor and has been working in the automotive industry for the better part of the last decade. Dan graduated from Toronto’s Humber College with an advanced diploma in journalism, and his work spans from newspaper to television and the web, reviewing cars in writing and in front of the camera. They’ve got the scoop on everything car-related for the everyday driver or the auto enthusiast, helping to make car stuff simple for Canadians.

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[hwdan]

For almost 3K more than the outgoing Forte EX, you think Kia would have kept the rear seat center armrest without having to jump into the K4 Turbo trims. I know they can equip them with it, the comparable trim Mexican K4's get it. EX back seat passengers will now be stuck having to hold their coffee cups.

[rightlanehog]

Dan, Isn't there a hatch/wagon version on the way which will improve adaptability? If someone is seeking a sedan with ample rear legroom and woefully inadequate rear headroom, one of the hybrids would surely be a better buy.