For more than 14 years, the Forte has been a mainstay in the Kia lineup, and for good reason. Small but mighty, the Kia Forte has consistently provided outstanding value for its cost, with a sleek look, a well-planned interior, and a long list of innovative technology and safety features that appeal to a wide range of drivers. This combination is why it has amassed a loyal following since it first debuted in 2010. Additionally, drivers love its fuel efficiency and low maintenance expenses, making it an affordable option for both commuting and road trips. Starting with 2025, however, the Kia Forte won't look the same, nor will it have the same name, as it's been rebranded as the K4.

Our team at Victory Kia has all the answers you're looking for regarding this rebranding, as well as the chance to see the K4 up close. Additionally, you'll find an overview of how the newest Kia K4 and the last Kia Forte for sale differ and in what ways they're alike. You can also check out the new K4 from the comfort of your couch via our website, as well as view our remaining inventory of the Forte, giving you one last chance to get your hands on this standout vehicle.

The Rebranding of the Kia Forte

The Kia Forte, as we know it, lasted three generations. The last generation was introduced in 2019, with a refresh in 2022 that brought a new look to the exterior of the car, with new front and rear bumpers, a new grille, and new wheel designs. The inside was also tweaked, upgrading the dashboard to include an available 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Additionally, several driver assistance features were added. The 2024 model year—which is officially the Forte's last—was a compact sedan, much like the 2022 version. When comparing the two, we'll look at the 2024 model year versus the K4's inaugural 2025 model.

Exterior Changes

The Kia K4 is expected to feature a refreshed exterior design that aligns more closely with Kia's current design language, which includes the "Opposites United" philosophy. This is based on five design pillars: Bold for Nature, Joy for Reason, Power to Progress, Technology for Life, and Tension for Serenity. Essentially, by blending these pillars, Kia hopes to deliver a design strategy that combines contrasting ideas that offer a new perspective, which in turn produces additional ideas.

Putting this philosophy into action, the K4 presents an updated front fascia with a new grille design, slimmer headlights with LEDs, and a more sculpted bumper than what is found on the Forte. Additionally, you'll notice enhanced rear styling with updated taillights, a sleeker trunk design, and a sportier overall appearance thanks to the wide rear fenders. Fans of the Kia Stinger sedan might feel a touch of nostalgia, as the K4 seems to have taken some inspiration from its design. Last but not least, the K4 also has new wheel designs, which round out an exterior that looks and feels fresh and inviting.

Interior Changes

As you slide into the driver's seat of the K4, you'll likely notice upgraded materials that offer a more premium feel. Additionally, an enhanced infotainment system with a larger touchscreen display and updated software offers better responsiveness and connectivity. Comparing the Forte and the K4, the Forte offers an eight-inch touchscreen for the lower trim levels—LX and LXS—while the upper trim levels get a 10.25-inch touchscreen that also includes navigation.

For the K4, you'll find a standard widescreen digital display on all trim levels that blends two 12.3-inch screens to run from the left side of the steering wheel to well past the right side, giving you one long screen in which you can access a variety of things. Another change you and your passengers will likely feel rather than see is more interior room in the K4 than in the Forte. This change is most noticeable in the back row, giving your passengers more leg and shoulder room, which is perfect for longer road trips.

Performance Changes

Rather than changes, you'll see more of the same when it comes to the engine of the K4, which is a good thing since the Forte offers more than enough power for zipping around town or hitting the open road. Both the K4 and the Forte are powered by a 2.0L inline four-cylinder that produces 147 hp. You can, however, opt for the GT Line Turbo when choosing the K4, which gives you an upgrade to a 1.6L turbocharged inline four-cylinder. This is the same engine you'll find in the GT and GT Manual versions of the Forte.

In addition to a more powerful engine, the GT Line Turbo also comes equipped with a multi-link rear suspension, while the other four trim levels offer a torsion-beam configuration. Of the two, the multi-link rear suspension gives you better handling and more turning freedom. It's worth noting, however, that the torsion beam configuration offers great stability while cornering and is lighter than the multi-link suspension.

Technology Changes

As mentioned, the K4 offers a much larger infotainment display than the Forte, but it's what you can access with this system that is most important. For the K4, you'll be able to connect seamlessly to both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto while also enjoying the latest version of Kia's UVO infotainment system. You'll also find a 5.0-inch display alongside the widescreen display that houses the climate control settings. Easy connectivity is also found with the Forte, albeit on a smaller screen.

Technology is also found on the safety side of things, and with safety being one of Kia's priorities, it's no surprise that both the K4 and the Forte are well-equipped in this area. You'll find a long list of features, including Lane Keeping Assist and Lane Following Assist, which are standard across the board. Optional driver assistance features for the Forte include Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Assist, Navigation-Based Smart Cruise Control, and Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, among others.

For the K4, our team can explore the 11 standard advanced driver assistance features, along with the 29 available features, with you when you stop by to check it out in person. Regardless of whether you choose the K4 or the Forte, you and your passengers will be well protected.

Trim Level Pricing

Last but not least, you will see some price differences as you explore the K4. The base LX trim for the K4 has an MSRP of $21,990, while the base LX for the Forte has an MSRP of $19,900. Either way, you'll find that you get a lot of incredible features for a small price. Plus, you're backed by Kia's incredible, industry-leading ten-year, 100,000-mile warranty. Regarding trim levels, you'll be seeing almost deja vu as the K4 offers the same ones the Forte did, in addition to an EX trim that sits in the middle.

Check Out the New K4 Today

With the new K4 set to hit dealerships for the 2025 model year, it's time to say goodbye to the much-loved Forte. We think you'll agree, however, that the changes the brand has made for the K4 are certainly worth a test drive—or two.

If you're ready to see what the K4 has to offer in person, stop by and talk with a member of our Victory Kia team today. We'll explore the changes noted above as well as answer any questions you might have about trim levels, packages, and more.