Kia unveiled the all-new 2025 K4 compact four-door for its global debut at the 2024 New York International Auto Show.

As Kia’s fourth-generation compact sedan, the K4 is a powerhouse of standard, segment-above technology, and it delivers Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), refinement, and exceptional rear headroom and leg room. An available turbocharged engine amps up the fun-to-drive quotient and standard multi-link rear suspension on the GT-Line Turbo to offer a responsive driving experience.

“The all-new K4 has been designed to deliver on technology and innovation in the compact segment like no other,” said David Sherrard, Director of Strategic Planning, Kia Canada. “The bold styling showcases Kia’s “Opposites United” design language – sure to make a powerful statement on the road.”

Elevating expectations for connectivity, technology, and superior style in the compact four-door sedan segment, the K4 features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available multi-segment display cockpit with a combined nearly 30-inches of digital instrumentation enabling camera-feed visibility of your surroundings. Available amenities such as Digital Key 2.0 with Ultra Wideband, Harman Kardon premium audio, heated steering wheel and a wide sunroof define the K4’s premium persona. The K4 is expected to arrive in Canada in the second half of 2024 in five trim levels: LX, EX, EX+, GT-Line Turbo and GT-Line Turbo Tech.

Exterior design

With an overall length of 4709mm and a width of 1849mm, the K4 is the widest and has the largest footprint in the compact segment. Rear passengers will enjoy the ride with 965mm of leg room and headroom at 947mm. Standard, vertically oriented LED headlights and taillights take inspiration from the flagship EV9 and create pronounced edges through the lighting signature in the front and rear. Hidden rear door handles in the C-pillar emphasize the K4’s fastback proportions and draw attention to its swept-back daylight opening. A versatile, conventional trunk affords 413L of cargo capacity.

Like other GT-Line models in the Kia lineup, exterior design flourishes and distinguishes the K4 GT-Line. Unique front and rear fasciae with gloss black accents, a satin chrome beltline, 18-inch alloy wheels, gloss black mirror caps, window trim, and side sill. Small cube LED projection headlights, with integrated LED fog lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels add to the exterior of the K4 GT-Line Turbo Tech.

Interior design and technology

The centrepiece of the wide, expansive cockpit is the standard integrated digital instrumentation: a first for the compact sedan segment and a design element in its own right. The ultramodern Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) operating system with Over the Air (OTA) capability, which first debuted in the flagship EV9, projects across an available combined nearly 30 inches of a digital display command centre. ccNC processes faster and in higher fidelity, with frequently used Quick Controls available with a swipe on the screen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard on all K4 models. Available Digital Key 2.0 with Ultra Wideband allows customers to use their compatible Apple, Samsung and Smart devices as virtual vehicle keys to lock, unlock and drive. Furthermore, these keys can be shared with friends and family over text messages on compatible devices. The K4 will be capable of over-the-air updates with further plans to enhance the Digital Features and Services portfolio through the Kia Connect Store accessed via the Kia Connect App or through the Kia Connect Portal.

Powertrain and engineering

When it goes on sale in Canada, the front-wheel-drive K4 will offer two powertrain choices. The standard 2.0-litre engine produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque and is matched with an intelligently variable transmission (IVT).

An optional 1.6-litre, the turbocharged engine sends 190 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft. of torque through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters complete the sportier package. The K4 GT-Line Turbo delivers power smoothly at low speeds, responds quickly, and provides an engaging driving experience. Exclusive to the K4 GT-Line Turbo models is a multi-link rear suspension that adds lateral stiffness and compliance, for a sportier driving experience.

Attention was paid to reducing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) through the use of an available acoustic windshield, and acoustic tires on K4 models with 18-inch wheels.

Segment-Above ADAS

The K4 offers the latest 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.

Available on K4 GT-Line Turbo Tech, Forward Collision Avoidance 2 (FCA-2) adds functionality and is engineered to detect crossing vehicles while crossing through an intersection (FCA-JC. FCA-2 is also designed to help provide a degree of braking and/or steering input to help prevent certain collisions or lessen the effects if the system detects oncoming vehicles while passing other vehicles (FCA-LO); vehicles in front of the car while changing lanes (FCA-LS); K4’s Evasive Steering Assist can help mitigate collisions with obstacles, pedestrians, or other vehicles detected ahead and will warn the driver in certain circumstances, and if there is space to avoid the collision in the lane, it can assist the driver’s steering.

In addition to available Blind Spot Collision Warning (BCW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) (trim dependent), GT-Line is available with Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA-BCA) and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) which are designed to help display and detect vehicles approaching from behind and in the adjacent lanes, in a variety of circumstances, the system may apply braking to help avoid a potential collision. The standard Surround-View Monitor (SVM) is designed to provide a 360-degree view in reversing and parking scenarios, using cameras around the K4. Available Parking Distance Warning is designed to add 360-degree capability to forward, side, and reverse parking maneuvers.

Availability

The K4 is slated to arrive in Canada in the second half of 2024. Pricing, trim details and availability as well as official fuel economy for the K4 will be announced as they become available. In the meantime, interested customers can sign up for updates at kia.ca/K4.