Kia K4 review

Driving position

It would’ve been hard to believe a decade or two ago, but very rarely does a new family hatchback come along these days due to the growing popularity of SUVs. It’s even rarer that a non-electric hatchback comes along.

Yet here we are, with the K4 effectively replacing the Ceed as Kia’s official family hatchback. And we’re glad of it.

The seating position feels just as it should – no unnecessary height from SUV-like proportions, and a footwell that’s deep and spacious enough (because it’s not impacted by a large electric battery under the floor).

But forget everything you know about family hatchbacks from the noughties and 2010s, because the K4 feels suitably sporty. Especially in GT-Line models, which add extra support for the seats.

Importantly, it feels easy to judge around town. The low bonnet opens up visibility, which is pretty good all-round anyway. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are also standard, just to make things less stressful.

Tech and features

Kia K4 trims

– Pure

– GT-Line

– GT-Line S

Pure is the entry point for the K4, but it’s hardly a bargain-basement car and that much is clear when you look at the dash.

There’s a 12.3-inch display in front of the driver, another 12.3-inch display in the middle for all your music and mapping needs, and a third, 5.3-inch display connecting the two, giving the illusion of a very long, high-def screen.

The smallest, middle one houses your climate control shortcuts. In other words, while physical temperature knobs are gone, controls will still stay to hand on a dedicated screen. It’s better than you get in something like a Peugeot 308, which buries settings deep in menus.

Of course, you’ve got wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto too, plus the reversing sensors and camera mentioned above.

GT-Line looks more rounded, with glossy black details, some faux-leather trim inside and alloy pedals which stand out against the black carpet.

The front seats are heated in this popular trim, but top-spec GT-Line S models add ventilation for the front seats and heating for the rear seats, plus a heated steering wheel, so it really feels premium.

For the most part, we’d settle for the mid-spec GT-Line, but if you’re a fan of tech and convenience like a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless phone charging and keyless entry via your phone, then the GT-Line S actually makes a lot of sense.

Engines and power

Kia K4 performance stats

– Power: 115 to 180hp

– 0-62mph: 8.4 to 12.3 seconds

– Top speed: Up to 130mph

– Driven wheels: Front-wheel drive (FWD)

Upgrading trim level also gives you access to more powerful engines, so bear that in mind. Also consider that all engines are paired with a slick-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, with the exception of the 1.0-litre petrol in the K4 Pure, which has a six-speed manual gearbox.

That 1.0-litre petrol produces 115hp, and it feels perfectly adequate around town. Take it on the slip road and the 0-62mph time of 12.2 to 12.3 seconds reveals itself – it’s not particularly brisk.

If you’re just nipping to and from work, school or the shops, though, it’s not worth upgrading to a more powerful option.

If you do drive longer distances, though, then the 1.6-litre petrol is a worthwhile upgrade. It kicks out 149hp or 180hp depending on your choice, and brings 0-62mph acceleration down to 9.1 seconds or 8.4 seconds, respectively.

You can certainly tell the difference compared with the 1.0-litre engine, so we’d probably pick a bigger engine over a higher trim level if our budget were restricted.

Handling and ride comfort

The K4 feels at home wherever you place it, which is good news for a car you’re likely to spend a lot of time in with the family or commuting.

Around town, the steering is very light and easy to use, even if lacking in road feedback somewhat. That’s probably good for bumps, though, because the car feels composed over potholes.

Its long wheelbase helps high-speed stability, too, so motorway drives should feel easy.

Wind noise is so low that it can feel like you’re driving a bigger or more expensive car, but watch out for the largest 18-inch wheels because they increase noise and make the ride less comfortable.

Boot space

Kia K4 boot space:

– Boot space: 328 to 438 litres

– Incl. rear seats folded: 1,107 to 1,127 litres

The Kia K4 either punches above its weight or falls short – it depends entirely on which model you go for.

In fact, we’ve already said that the 1.6-litre engine is the one to go for from a performance point of view, and the same is true if you want the best boot space.

It has a 438-litre boot, which is bigger than most rivals like the VW Golf (381 litres) and Peugeot 308 (412 litres).

Go for the 1.0-litre model and Kia sticks its mild hybrid battery under the boot floor, so you lose a staggering 110 litres. That’s a huge loss, and takes boot space down to a disappointing 328 litres.

Rear seats

At least the K4 makes up for its losses here, because rear-seat space is excellent across the board. Leg and head room are perfect, and adults can easily fit in the back behind adults in the front, so there’s no worry there.

Shout out to the engineers who also thought to make wide-opening doors, so if you need to fit ISOFIX child seats, it’s about as easy as it gets in this type of car.

Storage solutions

There’s nothing revolutionary here, but you’ve got storage in the centre console under the armrest and around the gear selector, including Kia’s fancy pop-out cupholders.

The door bins don’t offer huge amounts of space, but there’s some extra stowage space there too.

Kia K4 dimensions

– Height: 1,435mm

– Width: 1,850mm (excl. door mirrors)

– Length: 4,440mm

– Kerb weight: Up to 1,500kg

Safety

The K4 hasn’t actually been tested by Euro NCAP at the time of writing, but most modern Kias score four or five stars.

Standard kit includes lane-keep assistance, autonomous emergency braking and speed limit assistance, but you’ll need to pay more for rear cross-traffic alert, which is a shame.

Higher trims also add adaptive cruise control, Highway Driving Assist 2.0 (with steering assistance), a 360-degree parking camera and blind-spot cameras to help with overtakes. This is where high-spec Kias come into their own, if you’re willing to spend the money.

Thankfully, we're talking GT-Line and not GT-Line S, so you don’t need to upgrade all the way to the top.

Fuel economy

1.0-litre models naturally have the highest claimed MPG figures, at around 49mpg. It’s partly because of the efficiency of having a small engine, and partly because of the mild hybrid system we mentioned earlier.

The 1.6-litre petrol doesn’t have any hybrid assistance, so claims a lower 42-43mpg. In reality, both should be fine for around 40+mpg, so don’t pick your engine based purely off fuel costs.

Though it looks different to the EV4, you could consider the EV4 the K4’s electric counterpart. It feels similar inside, if not more spacious, and offers much lower running costs, so consider that if you’re ready for plug-and-play life.

There aren’t any true hybrids, self-charging or plug-in, so you’ll need to look in the direction of the Toyota Corolla, Peugeot 308 or VW Golf if you want a middle ground.

Reliability

We’ve got no doubts over the K4’s reliability despite being a new model because Kia’s been building up a solid reputation for years and years.

The vehicle warranty is considerably longer than most rivals, at seven years/100,000 miles. Plus, over-the-air (OTA) updates keep the screens in working order for years to come.