2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo Review

When we first drove the Kia Forte-replacing K4, we found a lot to like.

It’s comfortable, loaded with thoughtfully made gadgets, bigger than it has to be, and better looking than it probably needs to be, too. One gripe we had was that acceleration was merely adequate, sometimes struggling to pull off passes and merges with its base engine hooked up to a pulley-based transmission that whined loudly.

The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo addresses that shortcoming, packing a more powerful turbocharged motor along with a slightly swankier style and quite a bit more creature comforts.

Styling 9 / 10

Even in a segment where standing out has frankly become the norm, the Kia K4 stands out. [An automotive existential quagmire if there ever was one.–Ed.] Remarkably sharp both figuratively and otherwise, the striking yet boxy-in-the-back K4 gets a more aggressive lower grille in GT-Line guise. It’s a similar story with the rear bumper, where there’s a sportier signalling to onlookers that this isn’t the base model. Large daytime running lights are a Kia signature these days and they give this car a real presence on the road, while the rear door handles are hidden in the C-pillar for a coupe-like look.

Inside, the K4 is cleanly, pragmatically nice. The GT-Line adds synthetic leather upholstery with white accents, a sportier-looking three-spoke steering wheel with a white horn, and ambient lighting. The white interior bits, the offset Kia logo on the steering wheel, and the BMW-style display panel that spans most of the dash come together to give this car a decidedly convincing upscale vibe.

Safety 9 / 10

The 2025 Kia K4 was named an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) Top Safety Pick+, the organization’s highest honour. But this notably only applies to examples built after January 2025, as that’s when Kia modified the rear seat belts to improve protection in moderate overlap front crashes. 

Eight airbags, forward collision avoidance assist, and blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic avoidance assist are standard. Exclusive to the GT-Line, however, is Kia’s excellent Highway Driving Assist technology. Adaptive cruise control and lane tracing feel almost human in both their movement and situational awareness, making automated highway cruising an extremely relaxing experience.

Features 9 / 10

All K4 trims come reasonably well equipped, but the top GT-Line Turbo Limited is definitely the one to get if you’d like the most toys. There are two 12.3-inch screens splayed across the dash, which are sharp to look at and snappy to use. In between these is a five-inch touchscreen dedicated to climate controls that works surprisingly well. (Don’t worry — there are redundant physical switches below the vents, too.)

Both GT-Line trims ride on 18-inch wheels instead of 17s and get a power-adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, heated rear seats, and a rear centre armrest with cup holders. Spring for this top GT-Line Turbo Limited and you even get ventilated front seats and memory settings for the driver’s side.

User-Friendliness 9.5 / 10

Kia has, at times, ventured into user interfaces that feel different for the sake of being different (see the EV6’s switching touch panel), but the K4 has brought the experience back down to earth, striking a near-perfect balance between usability and aesthetics. The gear selector is big, normal, and sits in your hand with ergonomic heft. Adjusting the wipers or headlights triggers popups on the screen. The screens themselves run well and are intuitively laid out. The button that opens the trunk from the outside is obvious but doesn’t stick out. There are just enough hard buttons for climate, infotainment, and on the steering wheel — there’s even one dedicated to drive modes.

Practicality 8 / 10

The K4’s rear seat is appropriately spacious for the segment. Sitting back there behind my own driver seat position at 5-foot-8, both leg- and headroom feel on par with what the Honda Civic offers, but more vast than what’s in the Toyota Corolla. This means surprisingly generous legroom, but headroom could be tight if you’re tall. 

As mentioned, the rear seats are heated in the GT-Line trims and, unlike the Civic, backseat passengers even get their own air vents. There are two USB-C charge ports back here to keep devices going. A 413-L trunk is decently large, but also about on par for this class of vehicle.

Comfort 9 / 10

A highlight of the K4’s engineering is how soft the ride is. Despite the GT-Line’s slightly sportier slant, potholes and cracks in the road are smoothed over with a level of cush and compliance frankly reminiscent of a bigger, more luxurious car. This makes it a great cruiser, but it comes at the slight detriment of handling. (More on that shortly.)

Power 8.5 / 10

If you care at all about how a car drives, the big headline with the K4 GT-Line would be the turbocharged engine. It’s a 1.6L four-cylinder that takes the place of the naturally-aspirated 2.0L used in lower models, making 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque at just 1,700 rpm. In contrast, that base engine only makes 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. 

It’s enough to make the GT-Line a fairly different animal when it comes to performance. It scoots nicely when you ask it to, and that accessible, turbocharged torque makes this car feel genuinely peppy around town. Power delivery is smooth, too, and as an affordable, everyday commuter, I have very few power-related complaints. The K4 GT-Line also uses a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission instead of the base version’s continuously-variable transmission (CVT), and it works seamlessly in the background.

Driving Feel 8 / 10

In most regular driving, the Kia K4 GT-Line is tuned for comfortable, reasonable, everyday sportiness. Steering is pleasantly light in parking lots but weights up nicely at speed, while bigger 12-inch brakes match the increased power along with a pedal that’s well-calibrated. At the K4’s literal core, there are some proper, athletic bones — this same basic platform underpins the rowdy Hyundai Elantra N sport compact, after all — and that robustness can be felt.

Where this car starts to wobble is when curvy pavement also happens to be rough. Heartily send it over gnarlier bumps mid-corner, and the floaty, comfort-tuned suspension means the car can actually get a little frazzled despite the multi-link rear suspension. An edge case test, sure, but one that most of its competitors have nailed and ironed out. Kia’s focus on comfort is appreciated, but this car could also stand to be a bit more buttoned down. Even with that in mind, it’s a more purposeful drive than the Corolla, but not as excellently focused as the Civic or Mazda3.

Fuel Economy 7 / 10

Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has rated the K4 GT-Line for 9.2 L/100 km in the city, 6.6 on the highway, and 8.0 combined. Over a week and 350 km of mixed driving, I averaged 9.0 L/100 km.

To compare, Honda’s upper-trim, 200-hp Civic is now hybrid-only and therefore trounces this on economy with 4.8 L/100 km combined, while the K4 GT-Line’s sister car, the Hyundai Elantra N Line, somehow nabs 7.6 L/100 km with essentially the same engine making 201 hp. On the flip side, an all-wheel-drive competitor like the turbocharged Mazda3 gets 8.8 L/100 km, while the Subaru Impreza gets 8.2.

Value 8 / 10

In GT-Line form, the K4 starts at $33,645 including a non-negotiable freight charge of $1,850. As tested, however, this loaded GT-Line Turbo Limited trim checks out at $36,345 before tax. This undercuts the top Civic Hybrid Sport Touring by several grand, but is more than the mechanically similar Hyundai Elantra N Line, which can be had for about $34,000. The Kia’s price practically matches that of the gas-only Corolla XSE, but the hybrid version will command a premium.

On paper, the K4 GT-Line’s price lands about where you’d expect it to in its segment, but in practice, its tech and design often feel a bracket above.

The Verdict

The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo is a comfortable, (mostly) solid-driving, and sharply designed commuter sedan with a torquey, robust-feeling engine. Notably more capable than the base car, it rocks looks and packs tech worthy of a much more expensive vehicle, and holds its own when it comes to fuel economy, interior space, and ease of use. For those looking for an attractive, tech-forward, and competently built compact car that’s also kinda quick, put the K4 GT-Line on your shopping list.