{"id":408,"date":"2026-05-24T21:36:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-24T21:36:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408"},"modified":"2026-05-24T21:36:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-24T21:36:34","slug":"autopia-kia-k4-is-remade-as-a-bit-of-a-hot-hatch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408","title":{"rendered":"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n

By James Raia<\/p>\n

About 30 years ago, $30,000 was the starting price for a luxury sedan. It\u2019s now the standard for a well-equipped compact sedan, including the 2026 Kia K4 and its hatchback relative.<\/p>\n

Read more Closest Indianapolis 500 ever: Rosenqvist passes Malukas in final seconds for win<\/a><\/p>\n

The second model year of the South Korean manufacturer\u2019s non-SUV vehicle lineup, the 2025 Kia K4 replaced the Kia Forte after its 22-year run in the United States.<\/p>\n

With its name change, the K4 joins more than a dozen vehicles, some industry icons, in a fiercely competitive segment.<\/p>\n

For 2026, the hatchback option joins the lineup. It\u2019s available in the same trims as the sedan, including the reviewed top-line GT-Line Turbo. It\u2019s standard equipped with a turbocharged 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine with 190 horsepower. It advances via an eight-speed automatic transmission and features front-wheel drive.<\/p>\n

With its turbo status, the hatchback accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.0 seconds. Its low-to-the-ground presence and sport-tuned, multi-lined rear suspension make the hatchback seem quicker. Gas mileage averages are 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 33 mpg on the highway.<\/p>\n

Regardless of trim choice, the K4 is a sportier vehicle than its predecessor, inside and outside. It\u2019s simultaneously sleek and muscular. It\u2019s refined within its class and features better ergonomics and a higher build quality than the Forte.<\/p>\n

The upgrade was necessary to compete. The small sedan segment also includes the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, two of the best-selling cars in history. Honda also offers the Civic in a hatchback trim.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

With its recent years of improvements, Kia\u2019s newfound status is based on its strong standard features list, modern design and industry-best warranty. The little sedan and hatchback siblinb comply in all areas. The reviewed GT-Line includes the basics from the less expensive models and adds a healthy selection of upgrades.<\/p>\n

Sporty improvements include: 18-inch wheels, sport-tuned overall suspension and paddle shifters. The \u201csparkling yellow\u201d exterior paint is part of the industry-wide expanding and polarizing exterior color palette. The flush rear door handles and sloping roof add to the K4\u2019s euro-style presentation.<\/p>\n

Read more In their words: Kounalakis, Caballero and Vazquez tell us why they can manage California\u2019s $162 billion<\/a><\/p>\n

Additional upgrades include cloth and synthetic leather upholstery, power adjustable driver\u2019s seat, heated front seats, a navigation system (12.3-inch screen), voice activation and highway driving assist, enhanced lane keeping assistance and an adaptive cruise control system.<\/p>\n

The lengthy list of standard equipment throughout the lineup features an easy-to-access wireless phone charger, dual-zone auto climate control with a five-inch control display (with a rear-view camera), wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a smart queue with a push button and remote start and multi-choice front & rear USB charge ports.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Considering its small sedan classification, the K4 offers a surprisingly large, satisfactory interior. The hatchback adds to the roominess. Two easy-to-access releases operate the 60\/40-split rear folding seats, giving the cargo area further access.<\/p>\n

The two cupholders between the front seats are novel with an extra-large opening, big enough for 40-ounce containers. Push a button on either and the sliders grasp smaller flasks. The cupholders also fold, expanding the center console area. Overall, seating is spacious, notably the rear seats that offer considerable legroom and headroom for the small sedan category.<\/p>\n

Driving 2026 Kia K4 hatchback defines an appealing mix of city convenience and highway satisfaction despite its compact designation.<\/p>\n

The MSRP ($28,790) is the highest in the K4 lineup. The lone option, the GT turbo technology package ($2,300), the unusual exterior paint color ($395) and taxes push the total price to $32,870.
\nHonda and Toyota deserve their long-tenured popularity in the compact sedan marketplace. The Kia K4 hatchback takes a good thing and makes it better.<\/p>\n

James Raia is a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento. He also contributes business, lifestyle, sports and travel articles to several print and online publications. Email: james@jamesraia.com.<\/em><\/p>\n

Read more Endorsement: Elect Ben Allen California\u2019s next insurance commissioner<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

With its turbo status, the hatchback accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.0 seconds. Its low-to-the-ground presence and sport-tuned, multi-lined rear suspension make the hatchback seem quicker. Gas mileage averages are 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 33 mpg on the highway.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":407,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\nAutopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch - Next City Digest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch - Next City Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"With its turbo status, the hatchback accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.0 seconds. Its low-to-the-ground presence and sport-tuned, multi-lined rear suspension make the hatchback seem quicker. Gas mileage averages are 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 33 mpg on the highway.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Next City Digest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-24T21:36:34+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/13065d40d633843429ac57d4e5c06f9b\"},\"headline\":\"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-24T21:36:34+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408\"},\"wordCount\":667,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"News\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408\",\"name\":\"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch - Next City Digest\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-05-24T21:36:34+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/13065d40d633843429ac57d4e5c06f9b\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp\",\"width\":640,\"height\":427},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?p=408#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/\",\"name\":\"Next City Digest\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/13065d40d633843429ac57d4e5c06f9b\",\"name\":\"admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/nextcitydigest.com\\\/?author=1\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch - Next City Digest","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch - Next City Digest","og_description":"With its turbo status, the hatchback accelerates from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.0 seconds. Its low-to-the-ground presence and sport-tuned, multi-lined rear suspension make the hatchback seem quicker. Gas mileage averages are 26 miles per gallon in city driving, 33 mpg on the highway.","og_url":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408","og_site_name":"Next City Digest","article_published_time":"2026-05-24T21:36:34+00:00","author":"admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"admin","Est. reading time":"3 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408"},"author":{"name":"admin","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/#\/schema\/person\/13065d40d633843429ac57d4e5c06f9b"},"headline":"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch","datePublished":"2026-05-24T21:36:34+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408"},"wordCount":667,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp","articleSection":["News"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408","url":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408","name":"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch - Next City Digest","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp","datePublished":"2026-05-24T21:36:34+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/#\/schema\/person\/13065d40d633843429ac57d4e5c06f9b"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/522741da076e15c4bba1a77285282377.webp","width":640,"height":427},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=408#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Autopia: Kia K4 is remade as a bit of a hot hatch"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/","name":"Next City Digest","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/#\/schema\/person\/13065d40d633843429ac57d4e5c06f9b","name":"admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/50b1ad2e498f523425ee0a8cc5180a210646db1622662a3d56cc405d3e0c346a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"admin"},"sameAs":["http:\/\/nextcitydigest.com"],"url":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?author=1"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/408\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/407"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}