Sales of the K4 through June this year were 42 per cent higher than those of its Forte predecessor last year.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
If you look only at the big picture, it appears the relentless ascendancy of pickups and SUVs in Canada’s “car” market is maintaining momentum in 2025. From January through June, in a market that rose 4.3 per cent year over year, light-truck sales rose 6 per cent, while cars declined 4, according to Automotive News Canada.
Drill deeper, however, and some outliers emerge. Who would have guessed that sales of “so-last-century!” minivans (which count as light trucks) would soar 32 per cent? Still, minivans remain a small slice of the overall light-truck sales pie. A more significant cause for pause is that sales of compact cars – the segment that reigned supreme before we were all stampeded into crossovers – rose almost 17 per cent in the same period.
Put that down to a simple matter of dollars and sense. With the $10,000 subcompact now ancient history (R.I.P. Nissan Micra), new-vehicle prices now start in the low $20,000s. And at that level, the choices basically boil down to a scale-model subcompact crossover such as a Hyundai Venue or Nissan Kicks Play, or, for just a grand or two more, a proper car.
In Kia’s case, the proper-car argument is even more convincing: the new K4 compact sedan starts almost $2,000 below Kia’s least expensive crossover – the front-wheel-drive-only subcompact Seltos – and almost $9,000 below Kia’s most affordable all-wheel-drive compact crossover, the Sportage.
Tellingly, sales of the K4 through June this year were 42 per cent higher than those of its Forte predecessor last year. Over the same period, Seltos sales declined 15 per cent.
The circular-dials option is a welcome addition to the gauge cluster on GT-Line models, but the climate display at right tends to be obscured by your hands on the wheel.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
When we first sampled the K4 last fall, only the lesser trims powered by a two-litre, 147-porsepower engine were available. Now Kia has added two sportier GT-Line models – Turbo and Turbo Limited – that bring to the table a 190-horsepower, 1.6-litre turbocharged engine, paired with an eight-speed conventional automatic transmission. They start at $31,495 and $34,495 respectively, the latter providing more clever driver-assist systems plus a premium Harman Kardon audio system.
The new Kia K4 does not need to be this good
Curiously, the K4’s predecessor, the Forte, also had a GT-Line trim but it used the same engine as the lower trims, while the top trims powered by a 201-horsepower version of the 1.6T were called simply GT and had a seven-speed DCT transmission. The new lineup, combining the GT-Line name with the detuned 1.6T engine, suggests that a GT may be yet to come, with more brawn under the bonnet. Perhaps even a Kia equivalent of corporate cousin Hyundai’s Elantra N?
Back in the here and now, the Hyundai Elantra in N-Line form is arguably the K4 GT-Line’s key competitor, motivated by the same 1.6T / seven-DCT powertrain as the former Forte GT.
The Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sentra don’t even offer an engine upgrade to challenge the GT-Line K4s. Those compact sedans that do – Honda Civic, Mazda3, Subaru WRX, Volkswagen Jetta – do so for thousands of dollars more than the K4 GT-Line’s opening bid.
It would be a stretch to call the K4 the new benchmark in compact sedans. It is, however, a thoroughly nice car to drive and to ride in, providing a balanced package of performance, features, comfort, style and space at a competitive price.
It’s hard to dislike the K4’s long, low and wide proportions.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Looks
It’s hard to dislike the K4’s long, low and wide proportions, or the distinctive front corner-lamps, though the C-post treatment incorporating the rear door handle looks odd. The GT-Line bumps the wheels up a size to 18 inches and adds glossy black exterior accents and distinct bumper designs.
Interior
Gauges, infotainment and some climate controls are displayed on the twin 12.3-inch screens. We weren’t bothered by the unusual shape of the steering wheel.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
An eight-way power driver’s seat provides ample at-the-wheel adjustability, with a panoramic view over the low cowl, though taller drivers may be tight for headroom under the standard sunroof. Dual-zone climate control is an upgrade from the lesser trims, though it moves some controls to a screen that’s hard to see from the driver’s seat. More welcome is that the gauge-cluster screen can be configured to mimic traditional circular dials for the speedometer and tachometer (though you can still select fully digital displays if you prefer). Unchanged from lesser trims are the roomy centre console, traditional shift lever and unusual squared-circle (rounded-square?) steering wheel.
Much of our time with the K4 was spent with adult rear-seat passengers, who appreciated the rear cabin’s comfort and near-best-in-class roominess, though they found the interior door-handle a stretch to reach when the door was open.
Performance
Independent car-magazine tests credit the K4 with a zero-60-miles-per-hour time in the low seven-seconds range, which is hardly scorching, but is meaningfully quicker than most similarly priced, base-engined rivals. In routine driving, we weren’t much bothered by turbo lag and the engine is pleasantly muted even when it’s exerting itself.
Unlike some rivals, the K4 doesn’t offer a manual-transmission option but the conventional stepped automatic is a smooth, responsive and familiar alternative to some rivals’ controversial continuously variable automatics.
As for the chassis dynamics, the GT-Line’s fatter tires and fully independent rear suspension sacrifice some of the exceptional ride suppleness we admired in the EX and replace the latter’s “relaxed-agility” handling with the sporty basics of flat cornering, secure grip and solid steering feel. Yet somehow it doesn’t inspire much driver engagement – an appropriate metaphor would be “dutiful-servant” rather than “enthusiastic dance partner.”
The 1.6-litre, 190-horsepower turbocharged engine actually looks like an engine under the hood, unobscured by the plastic covers that predominate under most modern hoods.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Technology
Even the base K4 includes a solid set of advanced driver-assist systems, including adaptive cruise, lane following and forward-collision assist. As you climb the trim ladder, more collision-avoidance features are added, while the GT-Lines add navigation and Highway Driving Assist (HDA). The Limited ups the ante further to HDA2, plus additional potential accident scenarios covered by the collision-avoidance systems. HDA2 is still not hands-free, but can perform tasks such as automatic lane changes when prompted by use of the turn signal or adjust lane position if a vehicle alongside gets too close.
There are still plenty of physical buttons to keep Luddites happy; exclusive to the Limited trim is the Surround View Monitor, seen here, as well as a monitor that displays in the gauge cluster what’s in your blind spot, when signalling.Jeremy Sinek/The Globe and Mail
Cargo
At 413 litres, the K4’s trunk is among the largest in the compact segment. The seats-folded pass-through aperture is a good size too.
Tech specs
2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Limited
- Base price / as tested: $34,495/$34,745 plus $1,850 for freight, plus fees and taxes
- Engine: 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 190 / 195
- Transmission / drive: Eight-speed automatic / front-wheel drive
- Fuel consumption (litres per 100 kilometres): 9.2 city/6.6 hwy
- Alternatives: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Nissan Sentra, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta.
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