Kia, like every other automaker, has been pushing the SUV angle hard in recent years, but these images prove that despite it giving the Stinger the chop in 2022, the Korean carmaker still thinks there’s a demand for sedans. And there might be a particularly healthy demand for this sedan if it looks as good underneath its disguise as its svelte coupe-like silhouette suggests it might.
We’ve already spied the next Rio testing, but these spy shots show a bigger car that we think is the new Forte. Don’t be surprised if that name is absent when the camo comes off later this year though. We hear that Kia might rechristen it K4 – a badge previously used in China – bringing it in line with the brand’s latest alphanumeric naming strategy.
Like the Rio prototype we mentioned earlier, this Forte has a sporty fastback roofline and a waistline that gently rises as it moves towards the rear, creating a fish-shaped window area in the side profile. We expect the K4 to offer around 4 inches (100 mm) of additional wheelbase, presuming Kia maintains the size difference between the Rio (which might be rebadged K3) and this Forte replacement.
More: New Kia EV3 SUV Spied With Concept Looks And High-Tech Cabin
SH Proshots
Another difference between the two is the rear door handle treatment. While the next Rio (and the current Forte) have handles placed in a conventional location in the upper portion of the rear door skins, the K4’s handle is moved up to the door frame adjacent to the C-pillar, adding to the coupe vibe.
The pictures show that the rear lights are an inverted L shape, as are the front DRLs, and while the camo prevents us seeing what’s going on between each set, we imagine there will be a full-width light bar at the front and a partial one at the rear.
First look inside
For the first time, our spies managed to get a glimpse of the interior of the new K4 / Forte. The prototype may be playing a bit of hide-and-seek with the details, but we can see the expansive and slender screen that merges digital gauge duties with the infotainment system, taking center stage on the dashboard. Encouragingly, Kia has opted to include physical buttons for the HVAC system while further down, we notice that the compact model is outfitted with a traditional gear shifter.
The powertrain lineup will likely consist exclusively of four-cylinder gasoline engines. Depending on the market, it could feature a 2.0-liter naturally-aspirated four or the more widely used 1.6-liter turbocharged four, producing over 200 hp. Additionally, a hybrid option utilizing Kia’s 1.6-liter engine may be available for select markets.
When’s it coming to the U.S.? The current facelifted version of the Forte premiered in June 2021 so our guess is the K4 will turn up in the middle of 2024 ready for the 2025 model year.
Update: Fresh spy photos and new information have been added on March 12, 2024.
