2025 Kia K4 First Drive: A Desirable New Car for Under $25,000? Yes, Please
The new K4 is one of the least expensive new cars on the market, but there's a lot to like about it beyond its price.
Update: Since this first drive was originally published in November, 2024, we finished testing the Kia K4. Read the complete K4 road test.
Testing the 2025 Kia K4 sedan resulted in a whole lot of numbers. We measured its fuel economy, how fast it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, how many feet it takes to stop in a panic-braking situation, and the highest speed it can achieve while swerving to avoid an obstacle in the road. Our testers rated how comfortable we find it, how pleasant it is to drive, and how effective its active safety features are. Then, we combined all those numbers into a single road-test score.
But we already knew the most important number when we originally posted this first drive: $24,320. That’s how much we paid for our Kia K4 LXS, including a $1,155 destination charge. These days, the average new car costs almost twice as much, according to data from Cox Automotive. There’s only a handful of new cars left that sell for less than $25,000.
We completed the 2,000 break-in miles on our K4 sedan, and we put it through more than 50 tests at our 327-acre Auto Test Center in Connecticut, including fuel economy, braking, acceleration, and emergency handling. We also drive it on road trips, jaunts to the grocery store, and everything in between. And now you can read the full road test on the model page.
CR members can also read our initial thoughts on the K4 below. If you haven’t signed up to be a member yet, click below and become a member to access this full article and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test.
What we bought: 2025 Kia K4 LXS
Powertrain: 147-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine; continuously variable transmission (CVT); front-wheel drive
MSRP: $22,990
Options: Carpeted floor mats ($175)
Destination fee: $1,155
Total cost: $24,320
