If you’ve been to your local Kia dealer lately, you might have noticed that the South Korean automaker is still putting real effort into its sedans rather than focusing solely on SUVs—something that can’t be said for most brands in the American market. While Kia does have an extensive lineup of SUVs, including hybrid and EV models that can compete with smaller cars in terms of fuel economy, it’s not only still making sedans but continuing to develop new nameplates.
The latest is the K4, a compact sedan that replaces the Forte, marking a generational shift in Kia’s presence in the segment. The K4 has new proportions and plenty of new features, along with, of course, its new name. But that name might cause a bit of confusion at first for buyers who are familiar with the K5 midsize sedan that has been around since the 2021 model year and aren’t sure what makes the K4 different. So, let’s break down what exactly sets these two similar-sounding models apart.
Body Dimensions
The main difference that separates these two models is size; in fact, we’ve already noted that they’re in two different size categories. The K5 is a midsize sedan, while the K4 is compact. Overall, the K5 is an inch taller, about half an inch wider, and almost eight inches longer. This means that the K5 has more headroom, which can make a difference for tall drivers and passengers alike, and more legroom up front. The K5 also offers an extra cubic foot of cargo volume in its trunk, which can be handy if you often buy groceries in bulk or don’t believe in packing light when traveling and feel that every bit of space counts.
Power & Efficiency
Under the hood of the K5, you’ll find a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 191 hp and 181 lb-ft of torque; on the sporty GT trim, though, is a turbocharged version of this engine that boasts 290 hp and 311 lb-ft of torque. That’s plenty of power to quickly and comfortably get up to highway speeds and should serve most drivers well. The K4 has a less powerful 2.0L 4-cylinder engine that produces 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque. That’s certainly less, but of course, you have to keep in mind that this model is several hundred pounds lighter than the larger K5, so it doesn’t need as much power to deliver the same quality ride. (The K4 does, however, have an available turbocharged engine that gets 190 hp.)
With less weight and a less hefty engine, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that the K4 is the more fuel-efficient option. With the most efficient configuration available (front-wheel drive and the non-turbo engine), the 2025 K5 gets 26 MPG in the city and 37 MPG on the highway for 30 MPG combined. That’s slightly above average for a modern vehicle, but it’s no match for the smaller K4, which can get up to 30 MPG in the city, 40 MPG on the highway, and 34 MPG combined. By EPA estimates, the K4 saves the average driver around $200 every year on fuel. Of course, the actual number depends on how much you drive, so you should consider this factor more strongly if you have a long commute or often take road trips, as opposed to just driving around town.
Price & Trim Levels
The K4 won’t just save you money at the gas station; it can also save you some cash upfront compared to the K5. While the 2025 K5 LXS (the lowest trim in this model’s lineup) has a starting MSRP of $26,990, the 2025 K4 LXS starts at $22,990—but the K4’s LXS trim isn’t even its entry-level trim; that’s the more affordable LX, with an MSRP of $21,990. And even the mid-tier K4 EX is still more affordable than the least-expensive K5, at $23,990. The K5 also has an EX trim at $34,490.
The K5 has its sporty GT-Line and GT trims at $29,590 and $33,090, and the K4’s responses are again cheaper, with the $25,190 GT-Line and $28,090 GT-Line Turbo. The K5 is also available with either front- or all-wheel drive, while the K4 can only be had with front-wheel drive. FWD is the more efficient of the two, while AWD provides extra traction, which can make for a safer ride when roads get wet or the ground is uneven.
Standard Features
The K5 may be more expensive, but you get more for those extra dollars. Aside from the advantages we’ve already covered—like a larger cabin and more powerful engine—there are several other attributes worth considering. First, let’s take a look at safety. While driver assistance features like forward collision avoidance, lake keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and driver attention warning come standard across all trims for both vehicles, the same can’t be said for all of Kia’s available safety tech.
Safe exit warning, rear cross-traffic avoidance, and blind spot collision warning don’t come standard on the K4 LX, for example, though they do on the LXS and EX trims. Further features like front and rear parking distance warning, blind spot view monitor, surround view monitor, and highway driving assist are available on the K5 but can’t be had on the 2025 K4 at all.
Looking at comfort and convenience features, the K5 keeps the edge. While both models have a “Smart Key” with a push-button start, only the K5 offers a “Digital Key,” which essentially allows you to use your phone as a key. The K4 only offers dual-zone automatic climate control on the mid-tier EX trim, but this is standard fare across the K5’s trims, with the GT and EX going one step further by adding rear A/C vents for backseat passengers. And no matter which trim you choose, you’ll be stuck with 6-way manually-adjustable front seats with no heating on the K4, while the K5 comes standard with heated front seats and a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat on all trims except the LXS and adds a memory function on the upper-tier EX.
When it comes to infotainment, the trend continues somewhat but there’s honestly not too much daylight between the two. Both cars come standard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, over-the-air system updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity, several USB ports, and a variety of available subscription services, like SiriusXM. Both also offer wireless charging on the mid- and top-tier trims. The K5 does come with a slightly better standard sound system, an available premium system that can’t be had on the K4, and a large, curved digital gauge display on the EX trim. But overall, the tech setup is fairly similar no matter which you choose.
Which Sedan Is Right for You?
Objectively, it’s hard to argue that one of these models is “better” than the other. Each one has a unique set of pros and cons that may or may not align with your priorities. If you value fuel efficiency, lower cost, and tighter maneuverability, you should lean toward the K4. But if you’re looking for something sporty, spacious, and loaded with premium features, the K5 will be more your speed. At the end of the day, it’s just nice to see a 2025 lineup that lets you choose between multiple sedans instead of having one token model (or none) in a sea of trucks and SUVs.
