The compact automobile market isn’t what it was once, however that hasn’t stopped a number of standout fashions from making a severe impression. Amongst them, the Kia K4 has emerged as a shock hit. For the Korean model, it’s a case examine in how considerate design and sensible packaging can nonetheless win over patrons in a phase many have written off.
It is a small sedan with large character. It takes styling cues and design components from Kia’s bigger fashions, just like the EV9 and Sorento, and scales them down into one thing rather more grounded – actually.
It represents the smallest sedan on sale from Kia and is without doubt one of the smallest automobiles obtainable from the model’s vary, which incorporates the Seltos and Soul. Regardless of its diminutive measurement, it’s a smash hit with 63,970 gross sales in America from January 1 by way of all of Might. That’s roughly 423 gross sales per day.
Little question, a few of that comes from its low sub-$24,000 beginning worth. Our check automobile, the GT-Line Turbo, is as good because it will get and has an MSRP of $31,445 after vacation spot and dealing with. That’s on par with most rivals and sits inside a number of % of the highest and backside costs of most.
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That mentioned, this little sedan is outselling the EV9, Niro, Soul, and K5 mixed. Through the first quarter, it outsold the Mazda 3, Toyota Prius, and Toyota Camry, and is approach forward of all of Volkswagen’s passenger automobiles added up. Briefly, it’s proving that small sedans generally is a large hit even after they’re not named Civic.
Fast Details
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How is it that such a small, considerably unusually styled sedan/hatchback could be so common? It’s not as if the K4 title has a wealthy historical past, and thus a robust following, in any case. To search out out, we examined one for a full week. We shuttled teams of adults in it, settled in for lengthy freeway miles, and piloted it round cityscapes to determine what it was all about. Ultimately, there’s no denying: that is one competent little automobile worthy of each sale it makes.
Styling
Pictures Stephen Rivers / Carscoops
Let’s kick issues off the place most patrons meet the K4 first – its styling. We confirmed you the K4 earlier than its official unveiling on the New York Auto Present and known as it a design so sturdy that it made the outgoing Forte it changed look weak. Dubbed ‘twist logic’ by Kia, the theme blends cues from completely different merchandise and defies conference.
The fenders are angular with arduous creases. The lighting is sharp and up entrance and pays homage to the automaker’s ‘Tiger Nostril’ grille remedy. The rear three-quarter view is dominated by a thick, aggressively vertical D-pillar and curt tail lights that mimic the front-end design. The rear overhang is gigantic, however this ends in a profit we’ll focus on later.
All through the week of driving it, strangers and mates alike remarked about it. The design stands out. It feels futuristic, contemporary, and fascinating. Is it stunning? No, however it does get observed. Put shortly, it is a putting automobile that instructions way more consideration than its MSRP would have you ever consider.
Energy And Driving Impressions
Maybe the one forgettable factor in regards to the K4 is the way in which it drives. Our GT-Line Turbo trim sounds it must be enjoyable, however in actuality, it’s perhaps the largest miss of the fashionable Kia GT household. It makes 190 horsepower (141 kW) and 195 lb-ft (264 Nm) of torque from a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder and sends it to the entrance wheels solely by way of an eight-speed automated.
That mixture isn’t too far afield of the Honda Civic Si, however it doesn’t really feel anyplace near that. The K4 is simply way more numb and lazy from the motive force’s seat. The chassis itself is ok. It handles fairly flat by way of corners, it’s straightforward to see out of, and in guide mode, the transmission is fast to observe prodding from the paddle shifters.
Sadly, exterior of that aggressive setting, the K4 feels a bit dopey. The gearbox could be very sluggish to alter down, the throttle isn’t significantly crisp or reactive, and the steering is usually numb.
Then again, it’s straightforward to drive and the suspension is comfy and never overly stiff. It’ll get you anyplace you have to go, and it’s straightforward to position in a lane or in a good car parking zone, however the entire expertise is somewhat mundane until you’re deliberately pushing it arduous.
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Whereas efficiency may not be the forte of the K4, gasoline financial system is a robust swimsuit. Regardless of driving this little sedan with some gusto all through the week, it achieved 29.2 mpg mixed. That’s proper consistent with the EPA estimate of 29. Those that spend time on the freeway extra usually can count on as much as 33 mpg, whereas city-dwellers ought to obtain as much as 26 mpg.
Would Kia profit from providing a hybrid model? Actually, however it’s nonetheless working to construct out the K4 ecosystem. It’ll in all probability occur down the road.
Consideration-Grabbing Inside
Pictures Stephen Rivers / Carscoops
That is the place the K4 makes its greatest impression, which is saying so much given its exterior styling. The cabin isn’t what we’d name luxurious or lavish, however it’s an instance of inserting emphasis the place it issues most.
Greeting occupants is an angular design filled with character. The steering wheel is semi-squared off. The spokes inside it look virtually aeronautical in nature. Within the midst of the middle spoke is a drive mode selector such as you’d discover on a correct high-end sports activities automobile. Are these gigantic shifts in design language? No, however they add a little bit of character.
The middle console and sprint proceed the identical theme of being fascinating somewhat than fundamental. Occupants get entry to an entire set of bodily buttons and switches to regulate the local weather. We’re so completely happy to see Kia transfer away from its dual-personality HVAC/Media contact controller right here.
On prime of that, the sprint design itself is clear and engaging with an angular crease on the passenger aspect that mimics the outside design. Even the seats have a pseudo futuristic look with two-tone upholstery and what look virtually like floating headrests. Construct high quality all through is sweet even supposing it’s clear that a few of the supplies aren’t precisely top-notch.
The infotainment system and gauge cluster are the identical twin 12.3-inch show setup we’ve seen time and time once more in Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis merchandise. As is the case in these different automobiles, the system is simple to navigate and intuitive, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is normal and dependable.
We particularly just like the blind-spot digicam shows that pop up within the gauge cluster when the flip sign is on. The sound system is crisp however, regardless of eight Harman/Kardon audio system, it’s not as full or well-rounded as we’d like. Customary options we recognize embody adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, and ahead collision avoidance.
The rear seats is likely to be as large a narrative right here as something since they’re genuinely spacious. Three adults within the again may discover shoulder and hip room a bit tight, however headroom and legroom are nice. Carrying 4 adults on this automobile is a breeze over lengthy distances.
Throughout our testing, we carried that many over 15-20 miles at a time with none complaints. Rear seat occupants get storage cubbies in every door and one small one between the entrance seats. Energy ports and rear seat air flow are additionally normal on the GT-Line.
Lastly, let’s speak about cargo house as a result of the K4 is among the many leaders right here. The lengthy overhang we talked about earlier contributes in a big approach. It helps the K4 provide 15 cubic toes of storage with out sacrificing cabin house.
The truth is, it permits the Kia to match Honda’s Civic when it comes to cargo quantity whereas providing barely extra headroom and legroom within the again seat, too. As well as, the rear seats fold down to supply much more cargo flexibility. An actual space-saver spare sits beneath the load deck.
Competitors
The largest competitors on this house is the Honda Civic. When it comes to gross sales, it’s the far and away winner, hitting triple digits already this 12 months. Frankly, it’ll be arduous for any model to kick Honda off the highest rung right here. The Civic is a family title, and Honda has used that repute to the fullest.
It definitely helps that i’s obtainable with a humble 2.0-liter gas-only engine, a hybrid setup, and even in super-hot Kind-R guise. Pricing is much like the K4, and Honda presents each a sedan and a hatchback, giving patrons extra choices. Put merely, the Kia has a whole lot of work to do to satisfy and beat Honda at what is basically its personal sport at this level.
It’s additionally price noting that the Toyota Corolla presents lots of the similar advantages one will get with the Civic. The Nissan Sentra is a sneaky entry right here, too, and, by way of the primary quarter, was outselling the K4. There’s motive for hope for those who’re a Kia fan, although. As we already outlined on the outset, the K4 is promoting extremely properly. Mazda, Volkswagen, and Subaru are far behind.
Earlier than disembarking, we have to spotlight the guarantee protection. No query, Kia and Hyundai Motor Group have at occasions garnered criticism for his or her guarantee practices. Nonetheless, a 10-year powertrain guarantee on the powertrain implies that patrons ought to have a excessive diploma of confidence within the K4.
On prime of that, your complete automobile will get a five-year or 60,000-mile restricted guarantee. No person on this market, save for sister model Hyundai, comes anyplace near that. Some, like Honda, do provide complimentary upkeep, in order that’s price contemplating. That mentioned, the worth proposition obtainable within the K4 could be very arduous to beat.
Last Ideas
The K4 has achieved its half in placing small sedans again on the map. It’s a complete providing aimed squarely at trendy drivers with the issues they appear to worth most. Over 400 patrons a day on common this 12 months proves that time. Right here’s to hoping that the K4 Wagon helps kick off a revival of that kind, too, although with that bodystyle being a lot much less fascinating amongst clients, we don’t count on it to be such a giant gross sales hit.