2026 Kia K4 Hatchback Offers a Spacious Alternative to the Sedan
The handsome compact hatch boasts extra cargo space and features the same 2.0-liter and turbo 1.6-liter engines as the sedan version.By Joey CapparellaPublished: Apr 16, 2025
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- A hatchback version of the Kia K4 compact is coming for 2026.
- It offers the same engines as the sedan: a 147-hp 2.0-liter inline-four or an optional 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four.
- The 2026 K4 hatchback will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2025.
We’ve known it was coming since last year’s New York auto show, but now the hatchback version of the Kia K4 compact is making its official debut. The 2026 K4 hatchback is scheduled to arrive late this year, and we have the specs for the new body style, which shares a lot with the sedan but offers extra cargo space and versatility.
After shedding the sedan’s trunk, the K4 hatchback ends up being 11 inches shorter than its sibling. The styling looks identical up until the B-pillar, at which point the rooflines diverge. In the hatchback, this creates extra headroom for rear-seat passengers, and the cargo area has 22 cubic feet with the seats up and 59 cubic feet with the seats folded. That’s a few cubes smaller than the Honda Civic hatchback’s cargo area but considerably more than the K4 sedan’s 15-cubic-foot trunk.
The K4 hatchback’s engine offerings mirror the sedan’s. Lower-trim versions come with a 147-hp 2.0-liter inline-four and a continuously variable automatic transmission, and the top GT-Line Turbo trim features a 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four and an eight-speed automatic. There’s also a GT-Line version of the base-engine car with similar sportier-looking design elements, including 18-inch wheels, black trim, and a different steering wheel with paddle shifters. The GT-Line Turbo adds LED headlights, larger front brakes, and a sunroof. Both GT-Line models have a different suspension tune.
There are no significant changes to the dashboard, as the hatchback comes with the same digital gauge cluster and central infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capabilities are standard. Kia has yet to confirm the base trim levels, but we assume they’ll consist of some combination of the LX, LXS, and EX versions it offers on the sedan. Driver-assist features including adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist will be standard.
Expect Kia to charge a slight price premium for the hatchback, meaning it should start at around $25,000 and range up to over $30,000 for a loaded GT-Line Turbo. Kia says it will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2025.
