The selected theme for the K4, a Kia at the time sold overseas in the Asian and European markets, but not the US. It slotted between the Kia Forte (K3 overseas) and the Kia Optima (K5 overseas) with a wheelbase smaller than the Optima, but of a similar overall length.

The design was developed in sketch, rough data that was milled in clay, and followed up by more finished data based on the scan of the model and finessed in CAD.

The program was ultimately cancelled due to overlap in the market.