2025 Kia K4: First details for fastback sedan that ends Cerato nameplate

March 28: K4 sedan and hatch revealed in New York

The new Cerato-replacing Kia K4 has now been unveiled to visitors at the New York motor show, in both sedan and hatch form. Which do you prefer?

Get the full details of the hatch at the linked story below, and keep reading here for more on the sedan.

STORY CONTINUES: Cerato sedan detailed

The Kia K4 will end the Cerato nameplate’s 20-year run when the fastback sedan arrives in early 2025.

Kia Australia confirmed the news in tandem with the K4’s full reveal at the New York motor show overnight.

The K4 name becomes the global name for the Korean brand’s small car, which has used various names including Forte, K3 and Cerato depending on country.

Kia unveiled the K4 in both sedan and hatchback forms.

6

The K4 is longer and wider than the Cerato, extending by 69mm to virtually match the length of its Hyundai i30 Sedan twin (4709 v 4710mm). An extra 49mm of width makes it wider than the Hyundai (1849 v 1825mm).

Kia hasn’t released the K4’s wheelbase but it would be expected to be virtually identical to the 2720mm of the i30 Sedan.

The K4’s fastback-style design is a dramatic departure from the conventional-looking four-door Cerato.

A pseudo-coupe look is created with hidden rear door handles, while the overall styling brings the midsized sedan into line with the design language successfully implemented in recent years across Kia’s range, including its electric EV models such as EV6, EV9 and upcoming EV5.

6

Kia says the K4’s vertical-style headlights and tail-lights are also inspired by those of the EV9 large electric SUV.

Inside, it borrows the EV9’s panoramic triple digital display, which spans nearly 30cm by comprising a 12.3-inch instrument panel, 5.0-inch climate control section, and 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

The company is also claiming benchmark rear legroom and headroom, though this is essentially shared with the i30 Sedan – there’s just 1mm in it for the former and identical for the latter.

For the US, GT-Line models (featured in all images) feature gloss-black exterior elements, 18-inch alloy wheels, heated front seats and a three-spoke steering wheel design as standard, with ventilated seats an option.

6

Other interior options include a Harman Kardon audio, wide sunroof, and Digital Key 2.0 with Ultra Wideband that, as with a Tesla, allows owners to lock/unlock and drive their car using either a smartphone or NFC-enabled smart card.

Kia Connect options in the US include “Hey Kia” voice command assistance and a Digital Features and Services set-up for accessing over-the-air updates/features (for extra cost in some cases).

The US market will feature five K4 variants, with LX, LXS and EX grades utilising a more basic torsion-beam rear suspension and a simple 110kW 2.0-litre petrol engine with CVT auto as per the base i30 Sedan.

The GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo models mirror the i30 Sedan N-Line with a multi-link rear suspension, with the Turbo model swapping out the 2.0L for a 1.6-litre turbo petrol engine and eight-speed auto.

6

6

US specs quote 190hp (142kW) for the turbo engine, though it would be a surprise if the Australian K4 GT-Line Turbo didn’t match the 150kW/265Nm outputs of the i30 Sedan N-Line.

It's unknown at this stage whether Kia Australia will get to offer the K4 with the 1.6-litre petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain that joined the i30 Sedan line-up in early 2024.

Kia could also theoretically retain the GT badge for the GT-Line Turbo that essentially uses the same drivetriain as the outgoing Cerato GT, though the company has also previously discussed reserving the sporty letters for proper high-performance models as with Hyundai's N models.

Numerous driver aids for the K4 include adaptive cruise with stop-go functionality, haptic steering wheel alerts, intersection collision warning, blind-spot view monitor, and surround view, though not all features are standard in the US.

Kia Australia says it will reveal pricing and specification details “in due course”, sometime ahead of the K4’s local arrival in early 2025.