Kia’s K4 GT-Line Is No GT, However It’s Successful The place It Counts: Overview

The compact automotive market isn’t what it was, however that hasn’t stopped a couple of standout fashions from making a critical impression. Amongst them, the Kia K4 has emerged as a shock hit. For the Korean model, it’s a case research in how considerate design and good packaging can nonetheless win over patrons in a section many have written off.

It is a small sedan with huge persona. It takes styling cues and design parts from Kia’s bigger fashions, just like the EV9 and Sorento, and scales them down into one thing way more grounded – actually.

It represents the smallest sedan on sale from Kia and is likely one of the smallest vehicles 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 means of all of Could. That’s roughly 423 gross sales per day. 

Little question, a few of that comes from its low sub-$24,000 beginning worth. Our take a look at automotive, 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 couple of % of the highest and backside costs of most. 

Learn: Kia Is Accomplished With Fuel GT Efficiency Automobiles

That mentioned, this little sedan is outselling the EV9, Niro, Soul, and K5 mixed. In the course of the first quarter, it outsold the Mazda 3, Toyota Prius, and Toyota Camry, and is approach forward of all of Volkswagen’s passenger vehicles added up. In brief, it’s proving that small sedans is usually a huge hit even after they’re not named Civic. 

Fast Information

How is it that such a small, considerably surprisingly styled sedan/hatchback may be so standard? 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. In the long run, there’s no denying: that is one competent little automotive 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 referred to 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 onerous 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 leads to a profit we’ll talk about later. 

All through the week of driving it, strangers and pals alike remarked about it. The design stands out. It feels futuristic, recent, and interesting. Is it lovely? No, however it does get seen. Put shortly, it is a putting automotive that instructions much 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 best way it drives. Our GT-Line Turbo trim sounds it ought to be enjoyable, however in actuality, it’s perhaps the most important 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 computerized. 

That mixture isn’t too far afield of the Honda Civic Si, however it doesn’t really feel wherever near that. The K4 is simply much more numb and lazy from the driving force’s seat. The chassis itself is okay. It handles fairly flat by means of corners, it’s straightforward to see out of, and in guide mode, the transmission is fast to comply with prodding from the paddle shifters. 

Sadly, exterior of that aggressive setting, the K4 feels a bit dopey. The gearbox could be very gradual to alter down, the throttle isn’t notably crisp or reactive, and the steering is usually numb.

However, it’s straightforward to drive and the suspension is comfy and never overly stiff. It’ll get you wherever it’s essential to go, and it’s straightforward to position in a lane or in a decent car parking zone, however the entire expertise is relatively mundane until you’re deliberately pushing it onerous. 

Extra: Hatchbacks And Sedans Combat Again As Kia Challenges SUV Domination

Whereas efficiency won’t 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 in step with the EPA estimate of 29. Those that spend time on the freeway extra typically 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 rather a lot given its exterior styling. The cabin isn’t what we’d name luxurious or lavish, however it’s an instance of putting emphasis the place it issues most.

Greeting occupants is an angular design filled with persona. 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 automotive. 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 relatively than fundamental. Occupants get entry to an entire set of bodily buttons and switches to regulate the local weather. We’re so joyful to see Kia transfer away from its dual-personality HVAC/Media contact controller right here. 

On high of that, the sprint design itself is clear and enticing 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 nice although it’s clear that among 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 vehicles, the system is straightforward to navigate and intuitive, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity is customary and dependable. 

We particularly just like the blind-spot digital camera 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 admire embrace adaptive cruise management, lane-keep help, and ahead collision avoidance. 

The rear seats may be as huge 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 automotive 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 customary 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 ft 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 onerous for any model to kick Honda off the highest rung right here. The Civic is a family title, and Honda has used that status to the fullest. 

It actually helps that i’s obtainable with a humble 2.0-liter gas-only engine, a hybrid setup, and even in super-hot Sort-R guise. Pricing is much like the K4, and Honda gives each a sedan and a hatchback, giving patrons extra choices. Put merely, the Kia has numerous work to do to fulfill and beat Honda at what is actually its personal recreation at this level. 

It’s additionally value noting that the Toyota Corolla gives lots of the identical advantages one will get with the Civic. The Nissan Sentra is a sneaky entry right here, too, and, by means of the primary quarter, was outselling the K4. There’s motive for hope should you’re a Kia fan, although. As we already outlined on the outset, the K4 is promoting extremely effectively. 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. However, a 10-year powertrain guarantee on the powertrain signifies that patrons ought to have a excessive diploma of confidence within the K4. 

On high of that, your complete automotive will get a five-year or 60,000-mile restricted guarantee. No person on this market, save for sister model Hyundai, comes wherever near that. Some, like Honda, do provide complimentary upkeep, in order that’s value contemplating. That mentioned, the worth proposition obtainable within the K4 could be very onerous to beat. 

Remaining Ideas

The K4 has executed 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 prospects, we don’t count on it to be such a giant gross sales hit. 

Pictures Stephen Rivers / Carscoops