Kia proves it still cares about combustion power with this trendy-looking K4 family hatch. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.
Ten Second Review
With this K4, Kia steps up its offering to customers wanting a combustion-powered family hatch. There are folk in this segment who might want more powerful engines or more dynamic handling than this car can offer. But, we'd suggest, many more will enjoy this Kia's sharp looks, impressive quality, strong safety standards and low running costs.
Background
It wasn't supposed to be like this. Even half a decade ago, few thought that a major world auto brand would be launching a combustion-only family hatchback car in what world governments intended by this point to be a heavily EV-orientated market. Yet with this K4, Kia is doing exactly that, this the replacement for the company's long-running Ceed family hatch series.
It's strange that Kia doesn't want to trade on the legacy of the Ceed name. Back in 2006, that Slovakian-built model was the car that really put the company on the map in Europe and right up to 2024, just before the launch this K4, it was still accounting for 13% of the brand's total UK sales. Kia says the badge change is partly down to a global naming convention change, partly down to the fact that the K4 is slightly bigger than its predecessor and partly due to the fact that it's built in Mexico rather than Slovakia. None of which sound very convincing reasons to us.
But what's important is how good this model is. An all new Golf-sized family hatchback is a rare thing in our SUV-obsessed market these days. So how will it fare against the Golf and the VW Group and Stellantis models that tend to dominate this part of the market? Let's find out.
Engines and Tech Spec
So just to confirm; no EV powertrain here. Kia has of course got that covered in this segment with the EV4 (and to some extent also with the EV3). It would have been nice to see some fresh combustion powerplants though, rather than a set of 1.0-litre and 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol units dating back over a decade. The brand will put this right later in 2026 when a new full-Hybrid unit arrives.
For the time being though, the only kind of electrification available to K4 customers is the familiar 48V mild hybrid 1.0 T-GDi 115PS three cylinder petrol unit, which offers 200Nm of torque and can be had with either manual or seven-speed DCT auto transmission. 0-62mph takes 12.3s. The alternative four cylinder 1.6 T-GDi powerplant is un-electrified, auto-only and available with either 147 or 177bhp. This top unit has 250Nm of torque and can make 62mph in 9.1s in 147bhp form - or 8.4s in 177bhp guise. A Drive Mode Select system offers three settings, 'Normal', 'Eco' and 'Sport'.
Like its Ceed predecessor, all versions of the K4 get the kind of properly sophisticated multi-link rear suspension that you still do without in some lower powered versions of family hatch sector rivals. And, as usual with Kias, there's a wide range of semi-autonomous ADAS drive assist features; 'Highway Driving Assist 2.0' keeps you a safe distance from the car ahead, stayed centred in lane, plus it can change lanes for you and adjust lateral positioning. 'Smart Cruise Control' can bring the car to a complete controlled stop if you're taken ill at the wheel.
Design and Build
Kia's old Ceed was a worthy family hatch but it was never very interesting to look at. This K4 in contrast will get the neighbours talking much more readily. Key design cues include the brand's front 'Star Map Signature' lighting, a distinctive 'floating' roof line and hidden door handles integrated into the C-pillars.
Whereas the Ceed was Golf-sized, the K4 (at 4,440mm long) is a bit bigger (though still 249mm shorter than a rival Skoda Octavia). As usual with Kias, for the full visual effect, you've to stretch to one of the 'GT-Line'-spec models, set apart by gloss black mirror caps, side sills, wheel arch mouldings and 17 or 18-inch alloys. Only a five-door hatch body style is available. Our market doesn't get the trendy-looking saloon variant offered elsewhere in the world.
Inside, it all feels properly modern, with big 12.3-inch screens for the instruments and infotainment, plus a 5.3-inch climate display. All three are joined adjacently to create a single panoramic look across the top of the dashboard. Otherwise though, the horizontally-themed cabin design isn't that interesting and the steering wheel looks a little awkward.
Helped by this K4 model's relatively lengthy 2,720mm wheelbase, the second row offers reasonable levels of leg room (964mm), but the sloping roof line eats into headspace a bit (with the standard ceiling, you get 973mm of head room). A middle-seated adult could be squeezed onto the wide flat bench for shorter trips. There's a fold-down centre armrest with cup holders, plus there are rear vents and USB-C ports.
Out back, there's a 438-litre boot - though with the mild hybrid powertrain, that shrinks to just 328-litres. For reference, a rival VW Golf offers 381-litres. The seats-folded boot capacity is 1,217-litres (1,107-litres on the mild hybrid).
Market and Model
Kia has set out here to undercut all its major rivals on price. From launch, the K4 range kicks off at around £26,000 for the manual gearbox 1.0 T-GDi 48V 113bhp three cylinder model. Most will want to find another £1,500 for the DCT auto gearbox. But that's for base 'Pure' trim, which relatively few UK customers will want. The mid-level 'GT-Line' spec that most of them will choose starts from around £30,000 with the 1.0 T-GDi 48V auto powertrain combination; or just over £31,000 if you want the larger four cylinder 1.6-litre 147bhp T-GDi engine. The same two powertrain options are available at a price premium of around £4,000 with top 'GT-Line S' spec.
All variants are reasonably well equipped, with LED headlights, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, cruise control and a drive mode select system. Inside, there's a three-screen dashboard layout, with a 12.3-inch driver display and a 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen. Media connectivity's taken care of by a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system, complete with wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto', plus a six-speaker audio set-up. ADAS safety kit includes Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist and Forward Collision Avoidance Assist.
With mid-level 'GT-Line' spec, the 16-inch alloy wheels of the base version get swapped for 17-inch rims and there's a 'GT-Line' exterior and interior styling pack with gloss black highlights and rear privacy glass. You get alloy pedals, front heated seats and Blind Spot Collision Avoidance Assist. Top 'GT-Line S' trim adds 18-inch alloy wheels, artificial leather upholstery, a sunroof, front ventilated seats and heated outer rear seats, plus a heated steering wheel, a wireless 'phone charger, a digital key system, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound upgrade and Kia's 'Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0' package.
Cost of Ownership
The 48V mild hybrid three cylinder 1.0 T-GDi 113bhp engine manages around 50mpg on the combined cycle and about 124g/km of CO2. With the four cylinder 1.6 T-GDi units, it's around 42mpg and about 158g/km of CO2.
As usual with Kia, there's a 7 year or 100,000 mile warranty which, since it can be passed from owner to owner, should help the impressively strong residual values. You might want to note that roadside assistance cover is limited to one year, but you do get a long 12 year bodywork warranty. Maintenance costs can be kept down by opting for Kia's 'Care-3' or 'Care-3 Plus' servicing packages, which offer a fixed-cost and inflation-proof servicing plan for the first three or five years, something which can also be passed on to subsequent owners.
Summary
At a time when so many brands are putting all their design resources into EVs, it's refreshing to see so much effort put into a combustion family hatch like this K4. But Kia is now the UK's fourth-best selling car brand in the UK (overtaking Ford and Toyota) and it's achieved that by understanding its customers. And understanding that a very large proportion of them are still not ready for a full EV in this segment, like the similarly-sized Kia EV4.
It would have been nice if, as with the EV4, the brand could have offered us the alternative of the avant garde saloon body shape other markets get. And though the promised introduction of full-Hybrid power is welcome, it would have been good to see rather more fresh investment in new engines, given that combustion sales are likely to continue well into the next decade. But the K4 looks good - which is primarily what will sell it - and its cabin is clearly a generation on from its Ceed predecessor. Overall, this is a confident design from a very confident brand. And we think you might like it.
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