This article covers a developing story. Continue to check back with us as we will be adding more information as it becomes available.
Key Takeaways
- Introducing the stylish Kia K4, set to debut at the New York Auto Show with a sleek design and sporty vibe.
- Smaller than the K5, the K4 maintains a unique profile with a mini Stinger look and standout C-pillar design.
- Kia’s design philosophy “Opposites United” is evident in the K4, featuring creative “Twist Logic” elements for a fresh appeal.
Meet the newest member of the Kia sedan family, the Kia K4. Revealed today ahead of its New York Auto Show debut next week, the compact sedan aims to reinvigorate the small sedan in America, where the Forte has fallen out of favor despite its affordable price tag. Smaller than the Kia K5 and larger than the K3 that was revealed last year for foreign markets, the emphasis of the K4 is on sportiness. Despite this, the South Korean automaker hasn’t published details of the powertrain, using today to reveal its design inside and out instead. Still, we can see the interior features an automatic shifter with a manual mode, and we suspect the auto will be the default, if not the only available option.
The Miniature Kia Stinger We’ve Been Looking For
In profile, the K4 looks like a mini Stinger, with a sloping roofline and a fastback style rear. The front end, however, is similar to that of the K5, while the C-pillar is a striking vertical element we’ve not seen in any other sedan-shaped vehicle. The design follows Kia’s “Opposites United” design philosophy, bringing in something Kia calls ‘Twist Logic’ – the flow of light created by “twisting the connections of logically aligned squares in a seemingly illogical fashion.”
The version of the Tiger Face front end employed here combines horizontal daytime running light details slowing high up on the front fender, segued by a vertical LED light cluster to emphasize its width.
An Interior That Blends Modern With Classic
The interior is a high point for a compact sedan, blending large screens with physical controls and a fuss-free design that prioritizes functionality. Kia claims the cockpit is both driver- and passenger-focused, with the large screens and upright center console creating a clear division between the “technical and machine character” of the car for the driver, and the comfortable and human aspect of the passenger side of the cabin.
The details of the screen estate haven’t been published, but it dominates two-thirds of the dash, accompanied by vital physical controls neatly laid out below for functions like navigation, media, and a variety of favorites. Physical toggles beneath this give tactile control over the dual-zone climate control.
A variety of colors will be available, including Medium Gray, Slate Green, Canyon Brown, and Onyx Black, but the exact spec that will reach the US is unconfirmed. Also unconfirmed for the US market at this stage, the K4 has heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and power seat adjustment with memory functionality. Adaptive cruise control is also depicted.
The K4 will make its public debut on March 27, after which we expect additional details to be made available. Expect it to reach dealerships later this year or in early 2025. Late last year, Kia discontinued the Rio – its most affordable car in the US – but the Forte remained on sale. However, the Forte in its third generation has been on sale since the 2019 model year, and the K4 may serve as its de facto replacement in much the same ay as the Optima was replaced by the K5.
