Any automaker wishing to sell compact sedans in a world full of small crossovers better offer something interesting. And, they might think twice about directly attacking the venerable Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra, or Subaru Impreza without fashioning something truly unique. It may not be the prettiest car rolling, but there’s no doubt Kia read the wind when conjuring the 2025 K4 GT-Line.
A Design Lesson
Auto designers would tell you the most attractive lines arch from front to rear uninterrupted. It’s the most pleasing to the eye. Kia’s designers had other thoughts, though there is a very nice sweep from the headlamps, defining the hood and windowline, before ending at the trailing edge of the high decklid. Sure, but there’s also an awkward joining of the vertical rear side windows, angled chrome trim and fast roofline. It’s more geometric than organic.
Up front is a wide thin grille that imparts a sporty stance, but it’s flanked by vertical LED headlamp pods and zigged-in orange driving lamps. The rear wears angry vertical lamps joined by a thin light bar across the trunk and above a splattering of angles in the lower facia. Bulging fenders snug 18” wheels. Despite classic wisdom, and my initial nose scrunching, the combination of arcs, verticals, and bulges somehow works.
Verticals and curves continue inside where drivers confront dual 12.3” screens for instruments and infotainment. GT-Lines add alloy pedals, squircle sport steering wheel, and contrasting white/black seats. It’s pretty luxurious too with a wide sunroof, Harman Kardon premium audio, and heated/ventilated front seats. They may look like hide, but seats are actually upholstered with easy cleaning SynTex vegan leather. Connecting devices is baby-simple with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and console charging. There’s a cool dial for audio volume, but no tuning knob. Must I swipe for stations?
Safety is enhanced with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keep assist with lane following, and blind spot warning. Safe Exit Assist prevents passengers from stepping into fast traffic.
Frugal Adequate Performance
There’s an optional turbocharged four-cylinder with 190 horsepower, but our GT-Line had the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft. of torque. Turbos come with an 8-speed automatic transmission, but we got the continuously-variable transmission. I’d rather have the turbo and its proper transmission, but our car’s powertrain kept pace on highways and delivered a frugal 29/39-MPG city/highway.
At least the GT-Line keeps the upgraded independent rear suspension from its sportier sibling (torsion beam is standard on peasant-grade models). The torsion beam is actually fine for most driving, but the independent suspension does a better job of soaking up road rough and being enjoyable on that occasional backroad cruise.
I didn’t hit many backroads, but my family did drive from Indianapolis to south of Louisville, Kentucky for lunch with my daughter’s great-grandmother at James B. Beam distillery. The suspension elicited only a subdued rumble in the city and rode more like an Audi on the Interstate. Power was adequate, but there isn’t much in reserve – especially with the slow-adjusting CVT. Excellent fuel economy allowed us to make the round-trip on one tank.
Beauty is in the eye of the owner, but the K4’s design, comforts, and technology won me over. If you’re into sedans and don’t want to pay a lot, the K4 is fire. A base price of $21,990, or $28,365 as-tested, is pretty easy to take if you don’t need or want a crossover.
Storm Forward!
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