The 2026 Kia K4 hatchback starts with a K4 sedan and chassis. From there it lobs off the trunk, adds a liftgate, and a bit sportier looking body and voila!
Off the back of the new for 2025 Kia K4 compact sedan revealed last year, Kia bolted a lift gate on the back and now brings us the Kia K4 hatchback, a 2026 model year compact hatchback slated to arrive at dealerships later this year. Measuring under 175-in long, Kia’s hatchback measures 11-in less than the K4 sedan, yet offers more cargo space, and—Kia argues—a sportier driving experience.
TREND LINE
Up front, it very much looks like the Kia K4 and, indeed, the Kia K5 sedans. Thin, amber, sharply creased daytime running lights streak across the top of the vertically stacked headlights and then bolt straight down the side of them. You get the Kia logo at the base of the hood before an intricate and grooved bumper slices across the top and bottom grilles.
In profile, however, the hatchback gently slopes down from the steeply raked windshield. It then blends into a fat c-pillar, which itself meets mostly vertical rear liftgate. Kia also incorporated a large rear fender flare, which is a touch ironic on a front-wheel-drive car. By the way, standard wheels on the K4 measure 17-in, the GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo gets 18s.
In back, the hatch follows the trend of long and thin taillights that head towards the center. They also stack vertically, something Kia likes to do quite a lot. But I must say it works well here, the K4 hatch looks sharp.
HATCHBACK SPACE
Open the hatchback, and the K4 reveals more than 22 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row. Competitive with the VW GTi and other compact hatchbacks on the market today. Fold the second row and space increases to more than 59 cubic feet. And, I would imagine, plenty of space for a bike.
The front passengers can keep themselves heated and/or ventilated, if they choose the right trim and/or package with that option. And the driver sees nearly 30-in of screen front and center. All lined up next to each other is a 12.3-in digital instrument cluster, a 5-in climate display, and another 12.3-in center display. This mimics the K4 sedan.
If you sit in the GT-Line K4 Hatch, you rest your hands on a three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters. Regardless of which trim K4 hatch, you get standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. And a wireless smartphone charger too.
CHOOSE YOUR FOUR-BANGER
Also, just like the K4 sedan, Kia offers two different powertrains to choose from. But first, all of them send power to the front wheels, no surprise in the compact hatch category. The base hatches make use of a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder under the hood. It makes 147 horsepower and 132 lb.-ft of torque at each output’s respective peaks.
Based on the size and output of the engine, I presume it runs on the more efficient Atkinson cycle. And that helps keep fuel economy nice and low. Using a continuously variable transmission, I bet the hatch matches the sedan in achieving as high as 30 miles per gallon in the city, 40 on the highway, 34 combined.
Power perks up if you get the GT-line hatch with the turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four-cylinder under the hood. Peak output jumps to 190 horsepower and 195 lb.-ft of torque, a pleasant and welcome uptick, if you ask me. Even better, that power channels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox instead of a CVT.
Fuel economy does suffer as a result. If it matches the sedan, expect to get 26 miles per gallon in the city, 36 on the highway, 29 combined. That’s still laudable and an easy decision with the added power.
SUMMARY
It’s nice to see more cars come to market, especially hatchbacks. And I do like this Sparkling yellow paint Kia coated on their latest creation. Hopefully I can get my hands on one to review soon. I’ll see if my bike fits. And if I smile while driving it.
