The 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo gets a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. That's a healthy bump from the standard non-turbo powertrain that puts out 147 hp, and the difference is quite noticeable. Power goes to the front wheels via an updated eight-speed automatic transmission.

Kia's replacement for the Forte is bigger, more stylish, and better-equipped, but does what's under the hood leave it falling short of compact sedan rivals?

I was in the passenger seat of the 2025 Kia K4 GT-Line when a maroon Toyota RAV4 appeared at the top of the hill, which also happened to be a blind curve. It didn't look right; The SUV was filling up too much of the K4's windshield too quickly.

Another day, another new front-drive, four-banger economy car. This time around, it’s the 2025 Kia K4, the successor to the compact Forte, Kia’s second-best seller and a sedan that actually displayed market growth rather than stagnation.