2025 Kia K4 Hits the Road Running; Will It Make Sedans Relevant Again?
43:30 Share

The 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan takes center stage in this episode as Host Jack Nerad gives its two key versions thorough test drives and sits down with its chief product planner, Kia America’s Young Kim, in an exclusive interview to unpack its bold features and market potential.

A finalist for North American Car of the Year, the 2025 Kia K4 offers a bold exterior design and feature-rich interior. As the successor to the Kia Forte, the K4 blends fastback-inspired styling with a wide, confident stance. The K4 is powered by a choice of two engines: a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) or a 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired with a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

Key exterior elements include vertically oriented LED headlights, a sleek roofline with hidden rear door handles, and an available GT-Line Turbo trim featuring sporty gloss black accents and 18-inch alloy wheels. Its larger dimensions contribute to its class-leading interior space, including a remarkable 38 inches of rear legroom. Inside, the K4 leads the segment with cutting-edge technology, including a segment-first 30-inch digital display that integrates the instrument cluster and infotainment screen.

In this week’s road tests, Jack Nerad takes us behind the wheel of the eminently likable 2025 Volvo S60 T8 AWD Plug-In Hybrid Ultra. Combining luxury, cutting-edge technology, and sustainable performance, the S60 T8 features a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 455 horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque. With an 18.8 kWh battery, it offers an impressive 41-mile all-electric range and achieves a 74 MPGe efficiency rating.

Across the country, Co-Host Chris Teague sums up his lengthy stint in the 2025 Honda Odyssey, a vehicle that continues to set a benchmark for family-friendly minivans. With its refreshed exterior design and spacious interior, the Odyssey provides seating for up to eight passengers and exceptional cargo space, making it ideal for families like Chris’s as Christmas looms. Under the hood, its time-tested 3.5-liter V6 engine delivers smooth performance and reasonable fuel efficiency. Special features include Honda’s Magic Slide second-row seats for flexibility, a rear entertainment system with built-in streaming apps, and CabinWatch and CabinTalk technology. Teague will have more in his full report.

Driving News

In the news this week, Honda is reigniting excitement among enthusiasts with the revival of its iconic Prelude nameplate. This time, the legendary coupe returns as a hybrid-electric sports car, blending Honda’s celebrated performance heritage with forward-looking electrification. But will it win the hearts of longtime Prelude enthusiasts? Chris and Jack will offer their thoughts.

Porsche is celebrating 50 years of turbocharging innovation with a special four-part YouTube series that explores the legacy of its groundbreaking engineering. From motorsport dominance to iconic series production models, the series delves into the history and evolution of Porsche’s Turbo technology, and we’ll have the details on where and when to watch.

As we close in on Christmas, Ford injects a dose of holiday cheer with the whimsical Ranger Raptor North Edition, a concept explicitly designed for Santa Claus. Packed with creative features like a heated hot chocolate holder and an infinity load box for presents, this playful (and fictional) concept blends humor with Ford’s signature engineering prowess.

Toyota has decided to make its 2025 bZ4X electric SUV more enticing with significant updates, including a reduced list price. We’ll tell you more.

Listener Question of the Week

“Are adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems worth it?” Jack and Chris share their pros and cons to help you decide.

Special Offer

Jack is gifting free copies of his book, The GR Factor: Unleashing the Undeniable Power of the Golden Rule. Email [email protected] to claim yours while supplies last!

Brought to you by:

• DrivingToday.com • Mercury Insurance: Find out how much you can save at DrivingToday.com/auto-insurance. • EMLandsea.com, publisher of Dance in the Dark.

🎧 Don’t miss Episode 246 of America on the Road! Subscribe, rate, and share on YouTube, Rumble, and your favorite podcast platform.

So we have a lot of show for you this week. Thanks for joining us, and don’t forget to look for new content on our YouTube) and Rumble) channels. Please subscribe. If you do we’ll like you forever.

)America on the Road is brought to you by Driving Today.com, Mercury Insurance, and EMLandsea.com , the publisher of Nerad’s latest book, Dance in the Dark, which is available HERE) on Amazon.com

Episode Summary

In this episode of America on the Road, hosts Jack Nerad and Chris Teague discuss the latest automotive news, including the introduction of the 2025 Kia K4, the return of the Honda Prelude, and Porsche’s celebration of turbocharging. They also review the 2025 Honda Odyssey and Volvo S60 plug-in hybrid, while addressing listener questions about adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems.

Takeaways

The 2025 Kia K4 is a strong contender for the North American Car of the Year. Kia’s design approach makes small cars look more sophisticated. The Honda Prelude returns as a hybrid, sparking interest despite mixed feelings about its performance. Porsche’s legacy in turbocharging is celebrated with new content. The Ford Ranger Raptor North Edition is a unique promotional vehicle. Toyota’s BZ4X sees a significant price drop to compete in the EV market. The Honda Odyssey remains a top choice for family vehicles with its spacious interior and features. The Volvo S60 plug-in hybrid offers impressive performance and luxury but may be discontinued. Adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems can enhance driving comfort but require driver awareness. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the show and share their thoughts

Chapters

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the 2025 Kia K4 02:57 Honda Prelude’s Return and Hybrid Performance 05:58 Porsche’s Turbocharging Legacy 08:56 Ford Ranger Raptor North Edition 12:03 Toyota BZ4X Price Drop and Market Competition 14:55 Road Test: 2025 Honda Odyssey 17:58 Review of the 2025 Volvo S60 Plug-in Hybrid 25:52 Interview with Kia K4 Product Planner Young Kim 40:02 Listener Question: Adaptive Cruise Control and Lane Keeping Systems