2025 Kia K4 GT-Line - How does Kia do it?

All photos are courtesty of Kia. Somehow I deleted the pictures I took!

There are five - count 'em - five trim levels of the Kia K4, with two different engines and two different transmissions. Stylewise it doesn't matter which one you choose, they are all beautiful. I drove a K4 GT-Line, the next to the top version.

Here's something I've never understood - the biggest engine has the lower horsepower (and the best fuel economy). This goes against everything I learned in the muscle car era - cubic inches make HORSEPOWER! All models except the GT-Line Turbo have a 2.0-liter, DOHC, 4-cylinder that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is only available with the CVT. The performance engine is a 1.6-liter, turbocharged engine that ups the power to 190 hp, and uses an 8-speed automatic. 

Don't get me wrong, the non-turbo 2.0 has plenty of power and it does get darn good fuel economy. It is rated at 29-mpg city and 39-mpg highway in the K4 GT-Line.

I don't know how Kia does it, how do they make a sedan this nice for the price (more on the price later)? Take a look at the interior.

If I have a complaint it is my same old one, too many little controls. I am not a terribly finicky guy but I do dislike fingerprints all over a touch screen. 

But that's the end of my dislikes. 

I like cars - sedans - and the K4 is a heck of a nice sedan. It will seat four comfortably, five in a pinch. There's room for cargo (14.6 cubic feet) in the trunk, the size (185.4" long, 72.8" wide, and 55.9" high) makes it easy to park (although it gets lost in a parking lot full of SUVs), and the ride is decent. 

I've said this before - Kia has come a long way, and they definitely sweat the small stuff.

Now back to the price. The base K4 LS starts at $21,990. Yes you read that right. The top K4 GT-Line Turbo is $28,090. The K4 GT-Line as tested was $25,190, plus $2,000 in options. You would be hard pressed to find another car this nice for under $30,000. I would suggest that there is a K4 trim level for anyone who likes sedans. All prices are from kia.com.