2025 Kia K4 Sedan Fails to Secure IIHS Top Safety Pick+ Award

4 weeks ago - 1 May 2025, autoevolution

Replacing the Forte in Kia's North American lineup, the K4 leaves much to be desired in the updated moderate overlap front evaluation. While it may have passed all other crash tests with flying colors, the sedan-bodied K4 couldn't do better than poor in this particular scenario due to insufficient protection for the rear occupant.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the shoulder belt of the rear-seated crash test dummy moved too far upward toward the neck. But more worryingly, the lap belt also moved too far upward, increasing the risk of abdominal injuries.

Not all is doom and gloom, though. As you can tell from the video published on the nonprofit organization's YouTube channel, the rear passenger's head remained a safe distance from the driver's seatback. The Virginia-based institute deemed both headlight variations acceptable over inadequate visibility from the low and high beams. The low beams also create some glare.

The acceptable rating also carries over to the child seat anchors of the LATCH system. On the outboard rear seats, the lower anchors are located too deep in the seat, making it hard to secure child seats. Looking on the bright side, the 2024 model year Forte sedan didn't even qualify for the IIHS Top Safety Pick accolade.

A sharper design than its predecessor, the K4 sedan is new for the 2025 model year and packs up to 190 turbocharged ponies. Advertised with class-leading rear legroom, the Forte's replacement carries a starting price of 21,990 dollars in the United States market.

All trims carry a destination charge of 1,175 dollars. Five grades are on the menu this model year, beginning with the surprisingly well-equipped LX. Highlight features include automatic emergency braking, cordless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and Smart Key.

Upgrading to the LXS adds 1,000 dollars to the final price, which gets you split-folding rear seats, nicer wheels, and Blind Sport/Rear Cross Traffic Warning. Another grand elevates the K4 sedan to EX specification. Think 17-inch alloys instead of 16s, dual-zone climate control, an upgraded 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a wireless phone charger.

For the GT-Line grade, Kia made a case for multi-link rear suspension, 18-inch wheels, cloth and Syntex upholstery, heated front seats, and power adjustments for the driver's seat. $25,190 is the starting price of the GT-Line, whereas the turbocharged version is $28,090 from the outset. In addition to a bigger punch, the GT-Line Turbo comes with Syntex-only seats, Harman Kardon audio, a wide sunroof, and cooler headlights.

Upgrading from the standard 147-hp naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine to the 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter mill also results in a better tranny. Instead of a continuously variable transmission, the 1.6 features a torque-converter automatic with eight forward ratios.