A hatchback version was spotted at the 2024 New York Auto Show, which may not officially come around until a year later. Senior project strategy manager Young Kim claimed that the emphasis was to get the sedan out to the public first. The K4 boasts a bit larger stature than the outgoing Forte and is on track to be the largest kid in the class. It is based on the K3 platform and adds the benefit of multilink suspension to its top three trims.
There is plenty of headroom, along with an abundance of legroom in the second row. The eye-catching design hinges on a very attractive fastback roofline. Another of its very cool unique visual features is the vertical headlights pushed to the corners. There are five trim levels in the lineup: LX, LXS, GT-Line, GT-Line Turbo, and the EX. The EX’s interior is a unique slate green, with others including a sweet red/black combo, medium gray, and two-tone black and white. The GT-Line Turbo has a particularly wicked glossy black 18-inch wheel option as well.
The base engine is a 20-liter Atkinson 4-cylinder engine paired with a CVT, cranking out 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. EPA fuel economy ratings are estimated at 30 mph in the city and 41 on the highway, for a combined 34 mpg. The upgraded version is the 1.6-liter turbo-four that ups the performance to 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft, paired with an 8-speed automatic. Continuing with what has been a driver-pleasing trend in the US, the center infotainment screen has now grown to 12.3 inches.
Entry-level models used to be equipped with smaller 7 or 8-inch screens, which saw buyers anxiously craving an improvement! This very crucial piece of automotive real estate has now become a very competitive battleground, and manufacturers have recognized how important it is among the younger crowd. Another first for Kia is the exciting introduction of an AI voice assistant. This feature uses natural language queries instead of sourcing keywords. Its smart integration allows it to “remember” context and the owner’s manual is included for quick reference.
Rotating cupholders are one of Kia’s genius additions that was made for busy drivers on the go! You can use them to hold a 32-ounce beverage or retract for carry-ons such as a bag of Nacho Cheese Doritos! Providing numerous features and value for the price are the laurels that Kia design has long stood by. We hope to see you during the sizzling months of summer here at Jim Butler, where we offer the best in financing and service for all of our models. Drivers are still enthusiastic about connecting with the road in a thrilling sedan such as this, and we can’t wait to deliver more news about the inspiring future!
