2025 Kia K4 Sedan: The Next Evolution in Kia’s Small Car Lineup
Kia has officially launched the much-anticipated replacement for the Cerato, introducing the 2025 Kia K4 sedan to the Australian market. The K4 promises a fresh direction for the brand’s small car range, featuring a new name, an upgraded design, and more technology, all while carrying a price increase over its predecessor. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 Kia K4, from pricing and specifications to what makes it a worthy successor to the Cerato.
A New Name, A New Chapter
The 2025 Kia K4 marks a significant shift for the brand as it adopts Kia’s global naming convention. The K4 joins the K3 (formerly Rio), K5 (formerly Optima), K8 (formerly Cadenza), and K9 (formerly K900) in the company’s global lineup. The name change aligns with Kia’s strategy to standardize its vehicle names across markets while maintaining the same spirit of innovation and quality that the Cerato was known for. The hatchback version of the K4 is expected to follow in late 2025.
Pricing and Specifications
While the K4 brings more features and a larger body, it also comes with a price increase. The 2025 Kia K4 sedan starts at $30,590 (before on-road costs), which is $3530 more than the base Cerato S. This is the first time a Kia small car has crossed the $30,000 mark in Australia. Even though the K4 is now priced higher than rivals like the Hyundai i30 Sedan, it remains more affordable than the Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport hybrid sedan and the Mazda 3 G20 Pure.
The K4 is available in four main variants:
- K4 S – $30,590
- K4 Sport – $35,190
- K4 Sport+ – $37,590
- K4 GT-Line – $42,990
Larger, More Spacious, and Better Equipped
The 2025 Kia K4 sedan offers several improvements over the outgoing Cerato, including a 70mm longer body and a stretched wheelbase, resulting in more rear legroom. The larger dimensions (4710mm long, 1850mm wide, and 1425mm tall) allow for a more comfortable and spacious cabin, enhancing its appeal to families and commuters alike.
Standard features across the K4 range include a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, advanced autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED headlights, and USB-C charge ports. Kia has also introduced its new Kia Connect telematics system across the lineup, which provides over-the-air software updates, remote vehicle control, and emergency SOS functionality.
Under the Hood: Engine Options and Fuel Economy
For the majority of the K4 range, the powertrain consists of a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder engine producing 112kW of power and 192Nm of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel consumption is rated at 7.4L/100km, with a slightly smaller 47L fuel tank (down from 50L in the Cerato).
The K4 GT-Line introduces a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, which produces 142kW and 265Nm of torque. Despite the reduction in power compared to the Cerato GT’s 150kW, the K4 GT-Line maintains impressive performance with a 0.2L/100km improvement in fuel consumption (6.7L/100km). The GT-Line also benefits from a new eight-speed torque-converter transmission, replacing the previous dual-clutch system.
Enhanced Safety Features
Safety continues to be a priority for Kia, and the 2025 K4 sedan comes equipped with several advanced safety technologies. Key features include autonomous emergency braking (with vehicle, pedestrian, cyclist, and junction-turning detection), lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and multi-collision braking. A Safety Pack is available for the base S variant, adding junction-crossing detection and enhanced AEB functionality for an additional $2100.
While the K4 is yet to be rated by ANCAP, Kia has confirmed it is working with the safety organization to ensure the sedan meets the latest safety standards, with features such as a front-centre airbag, a driver monitoring camera, and lane-keep assist.
Interior and Features
Inside, the K4 provides a host of upgrades. The K4 S comes with grey cloth upholstery, a six-way manual driver’s seat, and a six-speaker audio system. Moving up to the K4 Sport adds a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual-zone climate control, and built-in satellite navigation. The K4 Sport+ introduces artificial leather upholstery, heated front seats, and more premium touches like a soft-touch door insert trim. Finally, the K4 GT-Line brings luxury features like ventilated front seats, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and a premium two-tone steering wheel, along with 18-inch alloy wheels and a sporty exterior styling package.
What’s to Come
The 2025 Kia K4 sedan represents a bold step forward for the brand’s small car range. With its larger body, enhanced features, and more premium offerings, the K4 is set to compete in a highly competitive market. The upcoming hatchback version, due later in 2025, will add even more versatility to the K4 lineup, expanding its appeal to a broader range of buyers.
Kia’s 2025 K4 sedan is now available in Australia, and with its combination of style, technology, and performance, it’s clear that the K4 is ready to make a strong impression in the small car segment. Whether you're looking for an affordable daily commuter or a more feature-packed option, the K4 has something for everyone.
Credit: Drive.com.au