Car enthusiasts and hatchback lovers, get excited! Kia just announced at the New York auto show that the new K4 compact will indeed come to the U.S. as a hatchback, and it looks incredibly sleek!
The hatchback market in America has seen some ups and downs, with several manufacturers scaling back their five-door options. However, Kia is stepping in to fill the gap left by the previous Forte, which didn’t have a hatchback model available in the States, ready to compete with cars like the Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and Toyota Corolla.
What truly makes the K4 hatch stand out is its unique design that differs from the sedan, featuring a ‘floating roof’ effect with a distinctive chrome trim around the rear window and D-pillar, plus taillights that mirror the sedan’s across the rear, and its upright silhouette promises ample cargo space.
We anticipate that the hatchback will feature the same powertrain options as the sedan, likely including a 147-hp 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine for lower trims and a 190-hp turbocharged 1.6-liter engine for the GT-Line Turbo model, offering a great blend of economy and performance.
While the official name remains a mystery, Kia often uses ‘5’ for its hatchbacks, though ‘K4 5’ might not be the most appealing. Kia has only indicated that the hatchback will arrive ‘at a later date’ after the sedan’s release later this year.
Kia’s Executive Vice President and Global Head of Design, Karim Habib, has described the K4 hatchback as a practical vehicle designed for an ‘urban and dynamic lifestyle,’ perfectly capturing its blend of compact maneuverability and crossover-like appeal.
Beyond its striking appearance, the K4 aims to deliver a premium experience, likely mirroring the sedan’s impressive features such as dual digital screens, a Harman/Kardon sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, noise-reducing tires, and a voice assistant.
Kia is not just continuing the sedan’s legacy; it’s enhancing it with a hatchback that promises to be both practical and stylish, set to make the compact car segment in the U.S. far more exciting, and we’re eager to see its impact!
