Sedan · Gas
Kia K4 2025–2026 (1st gen)
- Your fit
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- Price
- $21,990–$28,500
- MPG
- 34
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Strong running costs
- Strength: Strong tech
- Watch-out: Poor cargo & utility
How it scores for you10 scores
Big-car space, top crash scores, and standout tech for barely over twenty grand — the compact-sedan value play, minus any driving sparkle.
Recalled somewhat less often than cars of the same model years (over-the-air software recalls count half); none of its 3 recalls were serious. About 28% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Limited history so far, so this score may move as more recalls are filed.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 5).
About $1,900 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 76% of cars we track.
14.6 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 24% of other sedans we track.
Near-midsize rear legroom and a 14.6 cu ft trunk — among the biggest in the class.
Composed chassis and a willing 190-hp turbo up top; the base 2.0 and CVT are dull.
Nearly 30 inches of dual display, wireless CarPlay, and broad standard ADAS lead the compact class.
Quiet, mature ride for the money; the rear bench is on the firm side.
Typical resale value for a sedan.
No published tow rating; front- or rear-wheel drive only.
Safety & recalls3 recalls
3 recalls · 5 common complaint areas across 2025–2026
- Electrical — 10 complaints (2025)
- Recall — Seat belts: rear/other: anchorage (2026)
- Unknown or other — 6 complaints (2025)
2026
- RecallSeat belts: rear/other: anchorage26V135000
Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Kia K4 vehicles. The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2026 K4 and the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2027 Telluride may not latch properly.
- Complaint clusterSteering5 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
Driving home, the entire screen flickered, then went out, when it came back the drivers assist lane assist kicked in and the car steered itself into oncoming traffic, which forced an oncoming car in front had to lock its brakes to avoid a collision. Then after forcing the steering out of the incomin
2025
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: critical fasteners25V548000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 K4 and Sorento vehicles. The connecting rod bolts in the engine may have been improperly tightened, which can cause a loss of drive power.
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel26V046000
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As suc
- Complaint clusterElectrical10 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The primary Dashboard of the vehicle stopped working (while driving the car) and i lost access to all important information such as speed, RPM, current cruise setting, milage, visual alerts for any driver assistance warnings. The entire screen went black and showed “NO SIGNAL” in red text in the mi
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This car is a rental to [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Complaint clusterPowertrain6 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
Transmission slippage, rpms rev higher then mph, hesitates at red lights and stop signs
- Complaint clusterSteering5 complaintscomplaints:STEERING
I am submitting this complaint regarding a suspected safety defect involving a 2025 Kia K4. On XXX, the vehicle was involved in a single-vehicle crash in the Town of [XXX]. According to the driver, the vehicle unexpectedly steered off the roadway when the Lane Keeping Assist/Lane Centering steering
- Complaint clusterAirbags5 complaintscomplaints:AIR BAGS
Air bag did not deploy, yes High Risk Yes Yes No Hit a street sign. Went through radiator, bent frame in front on passenger side, busted windshield, punctured roof. Car is totaled
Cost to own$28,200 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$21,990–$28,500
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,900/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
30
Highway MPG
40
Combined MPG
34
Horsepower
190 hp
Doors
4
Length
185.4 in
Width
72.8 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
107.1 in
Curb weight
2,954 lb
Cargo volume
14.6 cu ft
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