In years to come Kia’s Forte sedan might only be remembered for the theft epidemic it was embroiled in. But something tells us its successor is going to be a whole lot more memorable. Meet the K4, which Kia is giving us a look at today ahead of a full global launch at the New York International Auto Show next week.
Combining the fastback styling and thick D-pillars of the old Stinger with the crisp body surfaces and hi-tech face of the new EV9 SUV, the K4 looks far tougher and more sophisticated than the Forte, which went on sale in 2018. Kia calls its design language ‘Twist Logic’ and the twist part of that approach is clear from the way the light hits the upper portion of the muscular front and rear fenders, but leaves the lower sections in shade.
The combination of the rear fender shape, strong D-pillar and the rear door’s hidden handle gives the whole car the look of a long, two-door coupe, an image the plunging nose amplifies. It’s like a modern take on a classic GT car, but there’s nothing retro about the front and rear LED lights, or fully digital interior.
Related: 2025 Kia K4 Teases Its Edgier Looks Before Forte’s Successor Arrives
Inside, the squared steering wheel and slim but wide digital instrument cluster are the focal points of a cabin that features a mix of styling cues seen on the EV6, EV9 and newly facelifted Sorrento. But unlike those Kias, which all feature rotary transmission selectors, the K4 has an old fashioned T-bar lever on the console. Other traditional – and welcome – details include the two rows of hard keys located above and below the central air vents, and a rotary controller to help with on-screen selections.
Kia says the K4 will be available in various ‘exciting’ new seating trims, and while the Slate Green in the car seen here doesn’t exactly set our pulses racing, it does look far more interesting than boring old gray and black, which are still available, along with Canyon Brown.
Today was only about showing off the K4’s design, meaning we’ll have to wait until next week to find out what’s going on under the skin. But we’re expecting the lineup to start at around $22,000 and include a 1.6-liter turbocharged, four-cylinder engine and a hybrid model in some markets, but no EV option.
