Kia K4 Hatch joins Aussie range

JOINING the already available small segment Kia K4 four-door Sedan this week is the five-door Hatch priced from an identical $32,090 plus on-road costs.

The K4 replaced Kia’s popular and affordable Cerato early this year that chalked up strong sales during a long stint on the local market. It competes against the likes of Hyundai’s i30, the Mazda 3, Subaru Impreza, and Toyota Corolla along with a few contenders from Europe and China.

The sedan has achieved good sales of 5247 units YTD (end October) placing it fourth in its segment behind the Mazda 3 on 8763 units, Hyundai i30 on 9366 and the Toyota Corolla on 15,714.

The K4 Hatch is arriving in dealerships now and mirrors the current Sedan line-up comprising S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line, with S also available with a Safety Pack option. It lobs as part of a K4 Model Year 2026 (MY26) update and scores an updated powertrain for S, Sport, and Sport+ in both variants.

For MY26 and NVES compliance the K4 S, Sport and Sport+ will be motivated by a more efficient, but less powerful, Atkinson Cycle version of the multipoint injected petrol 2.0-litre shared with the Kia Seltos, Hyundai i30 Sedan and Kona.

The new 2.0-litre is paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) replacing a conventional six-speed torque converter automatic for improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

The updated engine is good for 110kW/180Nm output, a reduction of 2kW/12Nm from 112kW/192Nm previously while combined fuel consumption is expected to drop from the previous 7.4 litre per 100km into the low-to-mid six-litre – a reduction of at least 10 per cent, says Kia.

The GT-Line retains its ubiquitous turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission powertrain.

Dimensionally, the K4 Sedan measures 4440mm long by 1450mm tall by 1850mm wide on a 2720mm wheelbase in GT-Line guise. Compared to the K4 sedan, the hatch is 280mm shorter and 10mm taller, while all other dimensions are identical.

For comparative purposes, the new K4 Hatch is 70mm shorter, 10mm taller, and 50mm wider than the discontinued five-door Cerato GT with a 20mm longer wheelbase.

Further appeasing NVES requirements a hybrid powertrain for the K4 is likely next year following its European launch that may free up production at the model’s Mexico plant.

Media reports from January this year quoted Kia Australia’s product planning boss Roland Rivero saying he was “confident” a K4 hybrid would become available in the future.

“(The) K4 this stage, doesn’t offer a hybrid at all,” said Mr Rivero. “But numerous markets and regions want one, including Australia.”

2026 Kia K4 hatch & sedan pricing*:

*Pricing excludes on-road costs.