The Kia K4 Looks Way Too Cool To Cost Only $23,145

It’s about damn time that we got some new reasonably priced cars on the market, and it seems like they’re coming in like a flood. The latest reasonably affordable car ready for American showrooms is the funky-looking 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan. Pricing for the hatchback model hasn’t been released yet, so here’s the rundown on the four-door compact that’s about to be everywhere soon.

See, the Kia K4 has a lot going for it. Not only is it physically massive for a compact sedan, it looks bonkers, has a high feature content, and starts at just $23,145 including a $1,155 freight charge. It might seem like there’s a catch to that Corolla-undercutting price, but for the most part, Kia has included lots of good stuff like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, rear USB-C ports, and an extensive active safety suite on the base model, as well as stacked the trim levels tight. The LXS costs $1,000 more than the base LX, while the EX costs a mere $1,000 more than the LXS. So, what do these core trims get you?

Well, the LXS gets you selectable drive modes, 16-inch alloy wheels, a 60:40 split-folding rear seat instead of a one-piece folding unit, tweeters to bring the speaker count up to six, blind spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic collision avoidance, and safe exit warning to mitigate the risk of dooring a cyclist or getting your door ripped off by a passing truck. Not a bad selection of features to have. The EX adds an automatic switch for the passenger window, wireless smartphone charging, dual-zone automatic climate control, a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, sliding sun visors, nicer cloth upholstery, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Again, nice stuff to have, and reasonable feature content for $1,000.

Now, if you want a higher-spec Kia K4, you’re looking at the GT-Line model, which stickers for $26,345 including freight. If you can swing the extra $1,200 over the EX trim, the GT-Line seems absolutely worth it because it includes multi-link independent rear suspension, along with other goodies like a firmer spring and damper setup, paddle shifters, leatherette door trims, partial leatherette upholstery, 18-inch alloy wheels, adjustable lumbar support, heated front seats, a navigation system, and a host of cosmetic goodies. That’s a lot of kit for $1,200 over the EX.

A top-trim K4 GT-Line Turbo does sticker for $29,245 including freight, but it does add a perky, if not exactly performance-oriented, 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine making 190 horsepower. If that’s your sort of thing, go for it, but I have a feeling most people will likely be happy with the base two-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. It also adds the eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system that’s available on the naturally aspirated GT-Line trim, just in case you want to really crank the tunes.

Now, there are some packages, but aside from one for a red interior and one for a moonroof, there are only two you really need to worry about. Naturally aspirated GT-Line models are available with a Premium Package that includes the aforementioned eight-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system, ventilated front seats and full-leatherette upholstery, driver’s memory functions, and acoustic glass. Everything in the GT-Line Premium package save for the memory seat and ventilated front seats come standard on the GT-Line Turbo, and that top trim’s available with a Technology Package that adds the aforementioned ventilated front seats and memory function, along with a 360-degree camera system, several active safety features, ambient lighting, and being able to use your phone as a key.

That’s all well and good, but it’ll push pricing close to Civic Si territory, and if you value performance, the stick-shift Honda is probably more your jam. In any case, cars like this are often best as sensible, mid-range or base-spec vehicles that get you from A-to-B on a budget.

In fact, Kia’s actually read the room, which means that the cheaper trims will arrive on dealer lots first. By undercutting the Civic and Corolla, it seems like Kia has a plausible hit on its hands that should do the outgoing Forte’s high sales volumes some justice. Expect it to start arriving on forecourts this September, and don’t be surprised if its large-for-a-compact footprint quickly makes it a favorite of small families and rideshare drivers.

(Photo credits: Kia)

Support our mission of championing car culture by becoming an Official Autopian Member.

• The 2025 Kia K4 Is A Huge Compact Car That Looks So Nice It’s Guaranteed To Succeed

• The Kia K4: Can You Sell A Cheap Sedan If It Looks Crazy?

• The New 2025 Nissan Kicks Costs Only $490 More Than The Old One But There’s A Catch

• The Surprisingly Nice 2024 Chevrolet Trax Is $21,495 Of Fundamental Goodness

• I Can’t Believe A Cheap Buick Is This Good

Got a hot tip? Send it to us here. Or check out the stories on our homepage.