2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo - Review by Bruce Hotchkiss +VIDEO

Ratcheting It Up A Few Notches

Bruce Hotchkiss

By Bruce Hotchkiss
Special Correspondent - West Coast Bureau
THE AUTO CHANNEL

I reviewed a 2025 Kia K4 GT-line in March (2025 KIA K4 GT-LINE - HOW DOES KIA DO IT?). I was impressed. This K4 GT-Line Turbo is much the same except with more power. I like the styling of the K4, in fact of most Kia models. The K4 looks more expensive than it is. I think it will age well - time will tell.

The main difference between the Turbo and the standard GT-Line is horsepower. The Turbo uses a turbocharged 1.6-liter four to up the power to 190 hp from the 2.0-liter's 147. Although I appreciated the extra power I wish Kia would use its stablemate Hyundai's turbo'd 2.0-liter that cranks out 276-hp. But do not include the extra noisy exhaust. Hey, I can dream can't I?

Hyundai and Kia are kissing cousins and it seems to me that the powers that be decided Hyundai would be the performance brand, while Kia would be the Gran Turismo brand. Creating differences between two similar models is tricky (just ask the Big 3). Personally, I like the looks of the Kia sedans over the Hyundai versions. So I wish the Kia had a bit more power.

The K4 GT-Line Turbo uses an 8-speed automatic instead of other models' CVT. It was fine.

According to Car and Driver, the 2025 K4 GT-Line Turbo hits 60 mph from a dead stop in 7.3 seconds. That's not bad but... The Hyundai Elantra N, which is a similar size cuts that time by two seconds.

None of this is to say that there is anything wrong with the K4. It is a good-looking, nicely appointed, compact sedan. It has acceptable performance, rides and handles very well, and gets excellent fuel economy - EPA rates it at 26-mpg city, and 36 on the highway. As you can see, I beat the highway figure by a tad with a little mixed driving.

Generally, I liked the dash and instrumentation, even though, as usual, there is just too much going on. I've found with a lot of new cars, including the K4, it's best just to sit and fiddle with all the buttons and get things the way you like it, then just don't touch it again.

The base price of a 2025 K4 GT-Line Turbo, as per kia.com on 9/22/205, is $28,090. The test car had the GT-Line Turbo Technology package for $2,200, plus the usual freight and handling. The bottom line is $31,445.

I think there might be a Kia in your future!