Exterior view of the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo. (Kia America)

The 2025 Kia K4 has elevated its game with a blend of style, modern technology, premium fittings, and affordability. With ample performance for daily driving, the Kia K4 caters to those looking for an economical, yet stylish ride. Siliconeer was invited to get a taste of the new Kia K4.

First Impressions: Competitive

In the beautiful, sunny paradise of Santa Monica, I laid eyes on a modern and sleek looking compact sedan. The all-new “Morning Haze” color glimmered amidst the sand and ocean. At first glance, this car looks like Tony Stark’s suit evolving into a car. One that is meant to be parked outside a Michelin-starred French eatery. A closer look reveals its true identity. 

Exterior view of the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo. (Kia America)

The all-new 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo trim had a ravishing exterior and an even more tasteful interior. 

Leather seats, premium and tight fittings around, and a functional dashboard prove that luxury at times can also be affordable. Intuitive infotainment, sporty steering wheel, and supportive GT-line leather seats further make the case stronger for the Kia K4. The K4 starts at $21,990 and maxes out at $28,090. 

Dynamics: Confident 

The Kia K4 feels determined to welcome challenges at the driver’s seat. Whether it’s high-speed cornering or overtaking turtles in the left lane, the Kia K4 shrugs it off unnerved.

Driving on the scenic Hwy 1 to Laguna Beach, the Kia K4 delivered a balanced ride with confident steering. On some of the obnoxious LA roads, a tighter grip was necessary. Like they say, don’t ever let your guard down when driving in LA. The 190 ponies paired with an 8-speed transmission provide ample freeway power. Quick to adapt and eager to shift, the transmission fully utilized all the horses under the sleek hood. The engine roars strong but doesn’t overly detract from the driving experience. 

For the Tesla implants, the car can take care of all the highway driving while you enjoy the scenic route or your custom NBA-themed dash. Yes, the 29 active driver aids take care of you. 

Comfort: Classy 

Interior view of the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo. (Kia America)

The Kia K4 goes above and beyond with interior design. The seats are comfortable and supportive with high-quality leather fittings and a well appointed cabin layout. The backseat has ample legroom and trunk space is decent. The 30-inches of digital instrumentation is intuitive, and controls are easy to navigate. 

Kia has thoughtfully placed buttons so drivers can control the large suite of features through muscle memory. Thank you for not falling in the Tesla trap! 

Equipment: Cutting-Edge

Our test car was equipped with all of Kia’s advanced driver assistance options. A high def surround view camera, adaptive cruise control with steering and highway assist, evasive steering assist, camera-powered blind spot monitors, collision avoidance system incl. pedestrian detection, door-side monitors… the list is endless. Taking a cue from a German big Bro, there was also an auto-hold feature. My favorite as the brake pedal stays held even if the foot is off. Driven by a car during LA traffic is a godsend. 

Other notable goodies include streamlined and functional graphics, a digital key, 8 speaker Harman/Kardon Premium Audio system, USB-C/wireless charging, CarPlay, Android Auto… Again, the list is endless. It took a total of 20 minutes to understand how the car’s instrumentation works. 

Verdict – Class Defining 

The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo seen at the Asian Media Ride and Drive event in Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 4. (Vansh A. Gupta/Siliconeer)

The 2025 Kia K4 leads the segment with its price, comfort, style, and ample performance as a daily driver. For those in search of a budget-friendly sedan with modern amenities, the Kia K4 is a lucrative offering. 

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