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By Jonathan Crouch

Kia proves it still cares about combustion power with this trendy-looking K4 family hatch. Jonathan Crouch checks it out.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 56

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.

Backgroundword count: 222

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 Specword count: 265

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.

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