Kia's sedan family recently welcomed the new K4 alongside its established K5 model. Both cars bring tons of cool stuff to the table, but they're built with different drivers in mind. While the compact K4 aims to win over city dwellers and budget-conscious shoppers, the midsize K5 targets those craving more space and power. If you're wondering, “What's the difference between the K4 and K5?” this comparison will help you figure out which one might fit your daily life better.
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The left side view of the Kia K4 in front of a dark wall. by Hyundai Motor Group is licensed with Unsplash License
The K4 and K5 differ significantly in size. The Kia K4's dimensions are smaller making it a compact sedan, while the K5 falls into midsize territory. This affects everything from parking ease to cargo capacity. The K4 works wonders in tight city spots, while the K5 offers more road presence.
Size-wise, the Kia K4's length is 185.4 inches, almost 8 inches shorter than the K5's 193.1-inch frame. They're close in width at 72.8 inches for the K4 compared to 73.2 for the K5. Height varies slightly too, with the K5 at 56.9 inches tall and the K4 at 55.9. The K5's dimensions give it more highway presence, though the K4's smaller size appeals to city dwellers.
Interior space distribution holds surprises. The K5 provides generous front legroom (46.1 inches) compared to the K4's 42.3 inches. Yet the K4 offers more rear legroom at 38 inches vs. the K5's 35.2 inches — great for families with teens or those who often carry adult passengers. For cargo, the K5 just wins with 15.6 cubic feet of trunk space against the K4's 14.6 cubic feet. That's about enough difference to fit an extra bag of groceries.
Engine Performance and Fuel Efficiency
Under the hood you'll find key differences between these sedans. The 2025 Kia K4's engine in most trims is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with an intelligent variable transmission driving the front wheels. It handles daily tasks fine. Need more punch? The GT-Line Turbo packs a 1.6-liter turbo with 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft, making highway merges smoother even with a full car.
The K5's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The K5 GT truly impresses with its 2.5-liter turbo that generates 290 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque via an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.4 seconds, a feat that many sports cars can't match.
For fuel savings, the Kia K4's mpg of 30 city/40 highway/34 combined for the LX trim wins hands down over the K5 LXS with front-wheel drive that gets 26/37/30 mpg. On a 30-mile daily drive, this gap saves hundreds yearly — notable if you travel extensively or live where gas costs more.
Technological Features and Safety
The K4 and K5 offer identical tech. Both have 12.3-inch touch screens with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — handy for Dallas-Fort Worth navigation or locating that talked-about barbecue spot. A 12.3-inch digital cluster is optional, while the Kia K4 features a user-friendly 5-inch climate panel in its higher trims.
Safety features are similar too. The 2025 models include forward collision-avoidance assist with cyclist/pedestrian detection, rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, lane following assist, and smart cruise control.
The K5 and K4 earned "Good" Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) ratings in small overlap front tests, which mimic hitting poles or trees at angles. The IIHS also named the 2025 Kia K4 as a Top Safety Pick for 2024.
Pricing, Trim Levels, and Value for Money
Price differences between the K4 and K5 are significant. The Kia K4's price starts at just $21,990 for the base LX, over $5,000 less than the K5's $27,190 entry point. That difference could cover months of insurance or gas. For budget-conscious or first-time buyers, this gap alone might settle the decision.
Trim structures differ too. The K4 offers five choices: the base LX is followed by the LXS, EX, and GT-Line. The top-of-the-range GT-Line Turbo comes in at $28,090. The Kia K5 trim levels start with the LXS FWD and move up to the GT-Line FWD, GT-Line AWD, GT, and EX. The K5 EX tops the range at $34,690, while the performance GT costs $33,290.
Value means different things to different drivers. The K4 packs impressive tech and safety for less money — great bang for your buck. The K5 justifies its higher price with more power (especially the GT), extra space, and available all-wheel drive — crucial for snowy or rainy regions.
Long-Term Value: Reliability and Resale Value
Both sedans include Kia's impressive warranty: 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain, five-year/60,000-mile basic, and five-year/60,000-mile roadside assistance. This beats competitors who usually stop at five-year/60,000-mile powertrain coverage. Since most folks keep cars six to seven years, you'll still have coverage when shopping again. You could even pass it to your teenager with warranty intact.
The K5 holds value well, dropping just 30% after three years and only 36% after five. This tops many rivals and boosts your trade-in value. Maintenance costs run about $386 yearly at year three with only 3% chance of major repairs, climbing to $587 by year five with 8.5% repair probability.
The K4 should perform similarly, thanks to shared engineering and Kia's decade of quality gains. Both cars use tested technology instead of experimental systems, meaning fewer repair shop visits. For long-term ownership, either sedan makes financial sense with strong warranties, good value retention, and modest upkeep costs.
Which Kia Sedan Should You Choose?
So, should you choose the K4 or K5? If you want something zippy, fuel-efficient, and budget-friendly, go for the Kia K4. Need more space, power, or luxury? The Kia K5 fits better. Great for families with kids and gear, it makes highway trips comfier and turns heads when you hit the gas — especially that GT model.
If you're still undecided, why not try both? Contact our Huffines Kia Corinth dealership to schedule a test-drive and experience the K4 and K5 firsthand.