Kia K4: price, engines, mpg and how the sedan and hatchback compare

By CarWhere Research · Updated November 5, 2026

The 2027 Kia K4 is a front-wheel-drive compact car priced from $22,390 (LX sedan) to $28,990 (Hatchback GT-Line Turbo) before destination. Most trims use a 147-hp 2.0L four with an IVT, rated 33 mpg combined in the sedan; GT-Line Turbo models get a 190-hp 1.6L turbo and 8-speed automatic. It replaced the Forte for 2025.

Type: Compact sedan or five-door hatchback, front-wheel drive
Price (MSRP): $22,390–$28,990 (2027 MY) · Starting MSRPs excl. destination and handling. Lowest = K4 LX sedan; highest = K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo. The sedan tops out at $28,490 (GT-Line Turbo).[1][2]
Powertrains: K4 2.0L sedan, K4 1.6T sedan, K4 Hatchback 2.0L, K4 Hatchback 1.6T · 147–190 hp
Current generation: First generation, 2025–present

2027 Kia K4 price and trims

The K4 compact sedan arrived for 2025, the model year after EPA's last Forte listing, and a K4 Hatchback followed for 2026. Both are front-wheel drive.[12][13][14][15][16][17]

Kia K4 trims with 2027 model-year base MSRP (USD) and powertrains
Trim	MSRP (2027)	Powertrain
LX	$22,390excl. destination (2027 MY)	2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)[12]
LXS	$23,590excl. destination (2027 MY)	2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)[12]
EX	$24,590excl. destination (2027 MY)	2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)[12]
GT-Line	$25,590excl. destination (2027 MY)	2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)[12]
GT-Line Turbo	$28,490excl. destination (2027 MY)	1.6L turbo I4 (190 hp, 195 lb-ft)[12]
Hatchback EX	$25,090excl. destination (2027 MY)	2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)[13]
Hatchback GT-Line	$26,090excl. destination (2027 MY)	2.0L I4 (147 hp, 132 lb-ft)[13]
Hatchback GT-Line Turbo	$28,990excl. destination (2027 MY)	1.6L turbo I4 (190 hp, 195 lb-ft)[13]

Every K4 trim compared, with standard equipment and previous-generation prices →

Kia K4 engines, horsepower and mpg

Kia rates the 2.0L at 147 hp at 6,200 rpm and 132 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm, and the 1.6L turbo at 190 hp at 6,000 rpm and 195 lb-ft from 1,700–4,500 rpm. Both body styles have a 12.4-gallon tank.

Kia K4 powertrains with Kia-rated output and EPA fuel economy (city/highway/combined)
Version	Engine	Horsepower	Torque (lb-ft)	Transmission	Drive	EPA mpg (city/hwy/comb)
K4 2.0L sedanLX, LXS, EX, GT-Line	2.0L inline-4[1][3]	147	132	Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)	Front-wheel drive	29/39/332027 MY[3]
K4 1.6T sedanGT-Line Turbo	1.6L turbo inline-4[1][4]	190	195	8-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	26/33/282027 MY[4]
K4 Hatchback 2.0LHatchback EX, Hatchback GT-Line	2.0L inline-4[2][5]	147	132	Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT)	Front-wheel drive	28/34/302027 MY[5]
K4 Hatchback 1.6THatchback GT-Line Turbo	1.6L turbo inline-4[2][6]	190	195	8-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	26/33/282027 MY[6]

Output is as rated by Kia; fuel economy is the EPA estimate. "—" means no official figure was found.

2027 K4 sedan vs K4 Hatchback

Kia's 2027 specs and starting MSRPs (excluding destination) for the two K4 body styles.[1][2][3][5]

2027 K4 sedan vs K4 Hatchback
	K4 sedan	K4 Hatchback
Starting MSRP	$22,390–$28,490	$25,090–$28,990
Trims	LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Turbo	EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Turbo
Engines	2.0L (147 hp) or 1.6L turbo (190 hp)	2.0L (147 hp) or 1.6L turbo (190 hp)
EPA combined, 2.0L / 1.6T	33 / 28 mpg	30 / 28 mpg
Cargo	14.6 cu ft trunk	22.2 / 59.3 cu ft (seats up/down)
Wheelbase	107.1 in	107.1 in

The sedan is the cheaper and more efficient choice with the 2.0L.
The Hatchback starts at the EX trim but has far more cargo space.

K4 sedan or K4 Hatchback?

Both share the 107.1-inch wheelbase, the two engines and front-wheel drive. The sedan comes in five trims (LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Turbo) from $22,390 to $28,490; the Hatchback comes in three (EX, GT-Line, GT-Line Turbo) from $25,090 to $28,990, all before destination.

The sedan's trunk holds 14.6 cu ft. The Hatchback lists 22.2 cu ft with the rear seat up and 59.3 cu ft folded, but with the 2.0L it is rated 30 mpg combined against 33 for the sedan. Turbo versions of both are rated 28 mpg combined.[1][2][3][5]

Did the K4 replace the Kia Forte?

Yes, in practice. EPA lists the Forte through the 2024 model year and the K4 from 2025. The last 2024 Forte 2.0L with the IVT was rated 28/39/32 mpg; the 2027 K4 2.0L sedan is rated 29/39/33.[7][8][3]

Early K4 recalls to check

A small number of 2025 K4s were recalled because the engine's connecting-rod bolts may not have been tightened correctly, which can lead to a loss of drive power; dealers replace the sub-engine assembly (25V548). Certain 2026 K4s were recalled because the rear center seat belt buckle may not latch (26V135). A VIN check at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows whether a specific car is affected.[9][10][11]

Kia K4 generations by year

Every US Kia K4 generation with model years and engines, newest first
Generation	US model years	Engines	Notes
First generation	2025–present	2.0L I4 (147 hp) with IVT, or 1.6L turbo I4 (190 hp) with 8-speed automatic; FWD	The K4 sedan arrived for 2025, the model year after EPA's last Forte listing; the K4 Hatchback followed for 2026. Both ride on a 107.1-inch wheelbase.[7][1][2][8]

What K4 buyers actually paid

MSRP is the starting point, not the transaction price. These CarWhere pages show buyer-reported prices and dealer invoice estimates for the Kia K4.

More K4 research

See how a K4 was built at the factory.

Trim names and packages on a used listing are not always right. The CarWhere Kia build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Kia build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

How much is a 2027 Kia K4?

From $22,390 for the LX sedan to $28,490 for the sedan GT-Line Turbo, and $25,090–$28,990 for the Hatchback, all before destination.

How much horsepower does the K4 have?

147 hp from the 2.0L four, or 190 hp from the 1.6L turbo in GT-Line Turbo models, per Kia.

What mpg does the Kia K4 get?

EPA rates the 2027 K4 2.0L sedan at 29/39/33 mpg, the Hatchback 2.0L at 28/34/30 and turbo models at 26/33/28.

Is the K4 all-wheel drive?

No. Kia lists front-wheel drive for every K4 sedan and Hatchback trim.

Is the K4 the new Forte?

Effectively yes. EPA lists the Forte through 2024 and the K4 compact from 2025.

Sources

Prices and output are as published by Kia for the model year shown; fuel economy is from the EPA. Equipment changes between model years, so confirm a specific vehicle against its original paperwork or build sheet.

2027 Kia K4 Features & Specs Comparison (trims, starting MSRPs, specs) — Kia America (kia.com)
2027 Kia K4 Hatchback Features & Specs Comparison (trims, starting MSRPs, specs) — Kia America (kia.com)
EPA fuel economy record: 2027 Kia K4 2.0L, IVT (with DMS) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2027 Kia K4 1.6L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2027 Kia K4 Hatchback 2.0L, IVT — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2027 Kia K4 Hatchback 1.6L turbo, 8-speed automatic — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy data: vehicles.csv (Kia listings by model year, engine, transmission and drive) — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
EPA fuel economy record: 2024 Kia Forte 2.0L, IVT — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
NHTSA recall 25V548: Engine connecting-rod bolts may be improperly tightened (certain 2025 K4 and Sorento) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
NHTSA recall 26V135: Rear center seat belt buckle may not latch (certain 2026 K4) — NHTSA (Kia America filing)
DOT/NHTSA recalls dataset (6axg-epim): Kia recalls mentioning K4 — U.S. DOT (data.transportation.gov)
2027 Kia K4 Features & Specs Comparison (trims, starting MSRPs, specs) — Kia America (kia.com)
2027 Kia K4 Hatchback Features & Specs Comparison (trims, starting MSRPs, specs) — Kia America (kia.com)
2025 Kia K4 powertrains — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
2026 Kia K4 Hatchback powertrains — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
2024 Kia model list — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)
2025 Kia model list — U.S. EPA / DOE (fueleconomy.gov)

More Kia tools

Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Kia America, Kia Corporation or Hyundai Motor Group. Kia and the model names are trademarks of their owners.