Anyone looking for an affordable car often has a tough choice: sedan or hatchback.
Sedans are often a bit more comfortable and provide some separation from the cargo, while hatchbacks make it easier to haul around bigger items. Each has its upside, but opting for one or the other — especially in the compact car market — boils down to a personal preference.
For 2025, the Kia K4 sedan and the Subaru Impreza hatchback make the selection a tough one.
It’s time for a deeper dive into these two compacts.
2025 Kia K4
The 2025 Kia K4 is a new name and face that replaces the now-departed Forte. It is available in five trim levels, with a naturally aspirated (non-turbo) 2.0-liter inline-4-cylinder gas engine putting out 147 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) in the LX, LXS, EX, and GT-Line. The K4 GT-Line Turbo gets a 190-hp 1,6-liter turbocharged inline-4 with an 8-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive (FWD) is standard on all trim levels.
Pricing for the 2025 Kia K4 starts at $23,145.
Kia K4 Highlights
Easy on the fuel budget: Kia’s 2.0-liter 4-cylinder isn’t a thriller of an engine, but it is thrifty. This means more money in your pocket. The K4’s EPA combined rating is 34 mpg, among the top in the segment. Opt for the more entertaining 1.6-liter turbo powerplant, and you should still get up to 30 mpg combined.
Roomy and comfortable: Despite the K4’s tidy exterior dimensions, it’s plenty roomy inside.
Outstanding warranty: Kia’s 5-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty offer you peace of mind — for up to a decade. That kind of assurance can be priceless.
Read our Kia K4 Expert Review or see Kia K4 models for sale near you
2025 Subaru Impreza
This generation of Impreza debuted for the 2024 model year and is only available as a hatchback. What it lacks in sedan gravitas, it makes up for in practicality. It’s one of the few compact cars to have all-wheel drive (AWD) standard. Prices start at $24,665.
Subaru Impreza Highlights
Hatchback versatility: Carrying people and things isn’t always straightforward. There are odd shapes and sizes to take into account. And then there’s the luggage. The Impreza’s ability to fold one or all of its rear seats to create a large (56 cubic feet) cargo area is one of the big benefits of a hatchback body. The space behind the rear seats is still a highly usable 20.4 cubic feet.
Resale values: The Impreza has retained its worth better than almost every other compact car. We say almost because the Honda Civic tops the table. Even so, the Impreza remains a smart buy.
Compact size: This can be a double-edged aspect, but the positives are that the Impreza is easy to park, and even quite engaging when zipping around canyon roads.
Check this week’s Fair Purchase Price or see the Impreza models for sale near you.
Similarities
These two compact cars offer excellent fuel economy, relatively meager base engines, and similar interior space, but the Impreza hatchback is better for hauling cargo. On the flip side, the Kia has more modern styling.
New 2025 Kia K4 Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$23,165 |
$22,025 |
|||
$24,165 |
$23,041 |
|||
$25,165 |
$24,004 |
|||
$26,365 |
$25,131 |
|||
$29,265 |
$27,860 |
New 2025 Subaru Impreza Prices
|
Retail Price
|
Fair Purchase Price (92620)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
$24,780 |
$23,404 |
|||
$26,780 |
$25,124 |
|||
$29,670 |
$27,848 |
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors. The prices here reflect what buyers are currently paying for New 2025 Kia K4 vehicles and New 2025 Subaru Impreza vehicles in typical condition when purchasing from a dealership. These prices are updated weekly. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) quoted includes the destination fee, but does not include tax, license, document fees, and options.
Specifications
| 2025 Kia K4 | 2025 Subaru Impreza | |
| Powertrain | ||
| Engine | 2.0-liter inline-4 gasoline | 2.0-liter 4-cylinder AWD |
| Horsepower | 147 hp | 152 hp |
| Torque | 132 lb-ft | 145 lb-ft |
| Transmission | CVT | CVT |
| Fuel Economy | 30 city/40 highway/34 combined mpg | 27 city/34 highway/30 combined mpg |
| Also Available | 190-hp turbo 4-cylinder; 8-spd automatic | |
| Specs | ||
| Basic Warranty | 5 years/60,000 miles | 3 years/36,000 miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 10 years/100,000 miles | 5 years/60,000 miles |
| NHTSA Overall Safety | 5 stars | |
| Max Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 |
| Wheelbase | 107.1 inches | 105.1 inches |
| Overall Length | 185.4 inches | 176.2 inches |
| Width | 72.8 inches | 70.1 inches |
| Height | 55.9 inches | 58.3 inches |
| Turning Diameter | 35.2 feet | 34.8 feet |
| Headroom, Front | 39.0 inches | 39.8 inches |
| Headroom, Rear | 37.3 inches | 38.0 inches |
| Legroom, Front | 42.3 inches | 42.9 inches |
| Legroom, Rear | 38.0 inches | 36.5 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Front | 56.5 inches | 56.8 inches |
| Shoulder Room, Rear | 54.7 inches | 55.3 inches |
| Cargo Volume | 14.6 cubic feet | 20.4 cubic feet/56.0 cubic feet |
Conclusion
The 2025 Kia K4 is a strong performer with plenty of room, leading fuel economy, and great exterior style. It’s a safe bet, especially with its class-leading warranty.
The Subaru Impreza is a strong performer that features plenty of room, leading fuel economy, and … wait. Hmm. Let’s get to the bottom line: Do you want a sedan or an AWD hatchback with great ride and handling? You really can’t go wrong here.
