Gasherbrum II is the world’s 13th-highest mountain, standing at just over 8000 metres. It’s also known by another name: K4.
The Kia K4 small car, meanwhile, is Australia’s second-best selling model in its segment year-to-date, with almost a 20 per cent market share.
And frankly, that’s not a bad effort, considering it’s a brand-new model – replacing Kia’s popular Cerato after two decades and 200,000 sales – and the K4 name isn’t top-of-mind yet for buyers.
The K4 is a considerable generational leap compared to the Cerato, while also introducing Kia’s latest design language to the small-car segment. Despite being a small car, the new K4 is quite a bit bigger than the model it replaces, creating a larger gap to the ageing Picanto micro-car in Kia’s lineup, following the axing of the Rio light hatch.
Then there’s the price. The K4 is up to $6000 more expensive than the equivalent Cerato, with prices starting from more than $30,000. But given the extra tech and equipment, as well as the increasing cost of shipping and manufacturing across the industry – and Kia’s strong warranty and reputation in this market – the pricing is pretty spot on in this day and age.
This particular model is the K4 GT-Line hatch, which is the range-topping variant and comes with all the fruit. Despite being the most expensive version of one of its cheapest models, Kia believes the GT-Line will be the K4’s most popular grade.
But at around $45,000 on the road for this one, it’s definitely a step up in price compared to the base variants.
Australian buyers have the option of the sedan or hatch. And while it’s refreshing to see a car manufacturer bring out a new small sedan alongside a hatch, as a motoring journalist I’m obliged to profess my love for the Sportswagon version, which we’re unfortunately not getting.
However, the hatch does serve as a consolation, being very much like the wagon but with some length taken out of the rear. The hidden door handles on the back doors also help to give it a sleek look, almost like it’s a shooting brake. It may not be to everyone’s taste, but I personally think it looks very sharp – breaking away from that innocuous blob style that has been commonplace in the segment for so long.
On the driveway or at the local shopping centre, the K4 certainly looks more interesting than many of its competitors, with a more sophisticated aura about it.
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Our first impressions of the Kia K4 were positive at its launch, so we wanted to get the Kia K4 back into the CarExpert garage to see what it’s like to live with.
How much does the Kia K4 cost?
The Kia K4 hatch and sedan lineup kicks off from $32,090 before on-road costs, and tops out at $43,790 before on-road for the range-topping GT-Line we have here on test.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| 2026 Kia K4 S | $32,090 |
| 2026 Kia K4 S with Safety Pack | $34,190 |
| 2026 Kia K4 Sport | $36,690 |
| 2026 Kia K4 Sport+ | $39,090 |
| 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line | $43,790 |
The natural vehicle to cross-shop the K4 with is its cousin, the Hyundai i30 Sedan, which is priced from $30,000 before on-roads, while the hybrid version is priced from $33,250 plus on-roads.
The segment-leader is still the Toyota Corolla, which starts from $35,260 plus ORCs, with the range-topping ZR grade available for $39,100 plus ORCs.
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What is the Kia K4 like on the inside?
Kia really seems to have hit its stride with cabin design, and that’s trickled down to the K4.
If you’re familiar with Kia’s products, the K4 will instantly feel comfortable. The double-wide infotainment screen looks good and works well, the steering wheel is fantastic, and the cabin materials are all excellent.
In fact, it’s very easy to forget you’re actually sitting in one of the most affordable Kia models on sale.
That this is a GT-Line definitely helps. There’s black faux leather upholstery on the centre console, door cards and, mixed with white trim, it’s also found on the wonderfully comfortable seats and the steering wheel. The top-grade K4 also gets soft-touch surfaces throughout, which – when combined with the high-quality plastics used by Kia – makes this cabin feel quite premium.
But while it looks good, I’m always concerned about white leather – particularly on high-touch areas like the steering wheel. For the sake of resale value, it might be worth washing your hands before each drive.
In blessed relief, Kia has chosen to keep a good array of real buttons and thumbwheels, making life easier for the driver and passenger. The shortcuts on the dash make accessing the infotainment system all that much easier, and there are temperature and fan controls that work in conjunction with the 5.0-inch digital climate screen – sandwiched between the 12.3-inch infotainment screen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
However, we did have some issues with the infotainment. Apple CarPlay froze several times during our time with the car, and when the system was reading SMS messages that had come through, it sounded like an AM radio from the 1940s. Here’s hoping Kia can fix these minor performance issues with a software update.
Overall, the new tech is quite sharp and intuitive – made all the easier with the intuitively placed switchgear that feels great to use, both on the dash and on the steering wheel.
I’m a big proponent of tactility and attention to detail when it comes to touchpoints. It doesn’t really matter if, for example, the kick panels are made from cheap plastic. What matters are the things you interact with daily. Where so many other automakers fail, it’s abundantly clear Kia is thinking in similar terms.
Which brings me to my favourite thing about the K4: the indicator and wiper stalks. These things have a beautiful crispness about them, combined with a lovely weight and action, making them a joy to use. I let out an audible exclamation the first time I chucked the indicator on, which probably says more about my own nerdery than I care to admit.
Drivers may not consciously be aware of these touchpoints, but getting back into another car – even those that cost far more than the K4 – will show just how good the little Kia is by comparison.
I’ve said a lot about the industry adopting confusing drive selectors, so it’s great to see Kia keep the traditional T-bar for the automatic. It may not look as flashy as some other offerings, but it requires no second thought to use, and I’d take it any day over some of the alternatives.
There’s a decent amount of legroom for back-seat passengers, and there’s a big improvement in headroom compared to the sedan, which has a tapered roofline. But the position of the C-pillar, which is essentially right next to your face if you’re an adult, does make the second row feel a little on the claustrophobic side.
The rear seats are comfortable though, and there are both air vents and USB-C ports, as well as a folding centre armrest with cupholders.
Out back is a 438-litre boot – making it one of the largest in the small hatch segment – with 60:40-split/folding rear seatbacks if you need to increase storage. On numbers alone though, the hatch offers less space than the sedan by the VDA measurement standard, which doesn’t take into account the space above the parcel shelf.
| Dimensions | K4 Hatch | K4 Sedan |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4440mm | 4710mm |
| Width | 1850mm | 1850mm |
| Height | 1435mm | 1425mm |
| Wheelbase | 2720mm | 2720mm |
| Cargo capacity (VDA) | 438L | 508L |
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What’s under the bonnet?
Kia offers the K4 with a choice of two powertrains: a 2.0-litre non-turbo four-cylinder petrol engine with a CVT auto, and a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission – the latter of which is found in this GT-Line.
| Specifications | Kia K4 2.0 MPI | Kia K4 1.6 T-GDI |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2.0L 4cyl petrol | 1.6L 4cyl turbo-petrol |
| Power | 110kW @ 6200rpm | 142kW @ 6000rpm |
| Torque | 180Nm @ 4500rpm | 265Nm @ 1700-4500rpm |
| Transmission | CVT | 8-speed auto |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Tare weight | 1374kg – Sedan 1388kg – Hatch |
1433kg – Sedan 1453kg – Hatch |
| Fuel economy (claimed) | 6.0L/100km – Sedan 6.1L/100km – Hatch |
6.7L/100km – Sedan 7.4L/100km – Hatch |
| Fuel economy (as tested) | – |
8.2L/100km |
| Fuel tank capacity | 47L | 47L |
| Fuel requirement | 91-octane regular unleaded | 91-octane regular unleaded |
| CO2 emissions | 139g/km – Sedan 143g/km – Hatch |
158g/km – Sedan 169g/km – Hatch |
| Emissions standard | Euro 5 | Euro 5 |
| Braked towing capacity | 1100kg | 1100kg |
| Unbraked towing capacity | 610kg | 610kg |
Unlike both the Corolla and i30, the Kia K4 does not currently have a hybrid engine available in the lineup.
Despite the official combined fuel consumption rating sitting at 7.4L/100km, we only managed 8.2L/100km during our time with it. While that would have been near the average 10 or 20 years ago, it is quite poor in 2026.
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How does the Kia K4 drive?
Whereas the Cerato didn’t always feel like it was fighting in the same weight category as the Corolla and i30, that certainly isn’t the case with the K4.
Fundamentally, the bones are very good. The K4 is based on the CL4 platform, which is closely related to the i30 Sedan – a car we’ve rated highly in the past. The i30 Sedan N also has a strong following, which makes me wonder if some of the aftermarket suspension upgrades would fit the Kia.
But I digress. One of the biggest advantages the K4 has is that it was part of Kia Australia’s local suspension tuning program, headed by revered engineer Graeme Gambold, with the vehicle tuned for balance rather than sportiness.
That doesn’t mean the K4 isn’t fun, because it does deliver on-road enjoyment. But its neutral dynamics make it feel predictable and uncomplicated during daily commuting, rather than lighting your hair on fire or making you feel on edge.
Similarly, steering is direct without being overly sharp or heavy. I would have preferred a touch more feedback from the front tyres, but in the majority of circumstances, it’s not a concern.
While it shows great composure through bends, the ride is a real highlight. The damping is matched perfectly to the suspension, wheelbase, and tyres – resulting in a vehicle that handles road undulations particularly well.
The powertrain is good, but is a notch or two below greatness. Kia carried over the 1.6-litre turbo engine from the Cerato GT, but swapped the dual-clutch transmission for a traditional eight-speed automatic. And though the gearbox is smooth and works well, I think there’s room for improvement in the way the engine is tuned.
Overall, performance isn’t a problem. The 142kW and 265Nm give a decent shove when you stick your boot in – helped by the car’s relatively lightweight 1453kg kerb weight – but the rest of the time the engine left me a little underwhelmed.
In normal, relaxed commuting, it felt like there wasn’t quite enough torque available at part throttle, forcing you to squeeze the pedal to get the turbocharger spinning. Sport mode does help with throttle response, but it also firms up steering and doesn’t necessarily suit daily driving. Frankly, I’d be happy to sacrifice some of the outright power for a smaller, more responsive turbo that adds around 15 per cent more torque at lower engine loads.
This also made maintaining a constant speed a little frustrating, not helped by some throttle hang – which is when the vehicle momentarily maintains revs after you’ve lifted your right foot. Apparently, it’s meant to smooth out micro inputs and aid in fuel economy.
The Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) suite did really irk me, though. It’s liveable, but annoying. There are occasional jerks on the steering wheel, constant flagging of 40km/h school zones out of hours, and bonging when you drift 2km/h over the limit.
Mercifully, Kia provides a shortcut for some of the alerts by holding down the mute button.
Again though, most of the time the K4 is a lovely thing to drive. It never felt like a chore to do the grocery trip in, and longer commutes to the city were enjoyable and comfortable.
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In fact, I fast became a fan of the K4.
Often, small cars excel in city environments, but fall flat on longer drives. But the Kia offers a great balance, being composed and comfortable on the freeway. The longer wheelbase, coupled with the chassis tuning, results in an experience that is more akin to that of a mid-size car.
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
What do you get?
While the K4 is well-equipped from the outset, the GT-Line on test here really steps things up a notch, with a good array of tech, safety, and features.
2026 Kia K4 S equipment highlights:
- 16-inch alloy wheels
- 205/55 R16 tyres
- Space-saver spare
- Automatic reflector LED headlights
- Automatic high-beam
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- Electronic parking brake with auto hold
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – wireless, wired
- Over-the-air software updates
- 6-speaker sound system
- DAB+ digital radio
- Cloth upholstery
- 6-way manually adjustable front seats
- 60:40-split/folding rear seats
- Rear centre armrest
- Manual air-conditioning
- Rear air vents
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- Power windows with auto up/down for driver
- 4 x USB-C outlets
- 1 x 12V outlet
- LED interior lighting
- Kia Connect telematics
- incl. remote lock control, vehicle status monitoring via app
K4 S with Safety Pack adds:
- Dual-zone climate control
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 5.0-inch climate control display
K4 Sport adds:
- 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/45R17 tyres
- Satellite navigation – incl. 10 years of map updates
K4 Sport+ adds:
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Heated front seats
- Leatherette seat upholstery
- Electrochromic rear-view mirror
- Illuminated vanity mirrors
- Additional soft-touch door trim
K4 GT-Line adds:
- 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/40R18 tyres
- Gloss-black grille, mirrors
- Sunroof
- Projector LED headlights
- LED front fog lights
- Wireless phone charger
- Heated steering wheel
- 8-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system
- 3-spoke 2-tone steering wheel
- Paddle shifters
- Alloy pedals
- Ventilated front seats
- 8-way power driver’s seat
- 2-position memory
- 2-way lumbar support
- Ambient lighting
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
Is the Kia K4 safe?
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program – better known as ANCAP – has issued two different safety ratings for the Kia K4.
| Category | Kia K4 S (without Safety Pack) | Kia K4 (all others) |
|---|---|---|
| Adult occupant protection | 85 per cent | 85 per cent |
| Child occupant protection | 80 per cent | 80 per cent |
| Vulnerable road user protection | 73 per cent | 77 per cent |
| Safety assist | 64 per cent | 77 per cent |
A rating of four stars has been given to the Kia K4 S without the Safety Pack, however, all other variants with the Safety Pack get the full five-star rating.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- 7 airbags incl. front-centre
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Car-to-car
- Pedestrian
- Cyclist
- Junction turning
- Blind-spot assist
- Driver attention monitoring
- Intelligent speed limit assist
- Lane Follow Assist – lane-centring
- Lane-keep assist
- Parking sensors – front, rear
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Rear occupant alert
- Reversing camera incl. dynamic guidelines
- Safe exit warning
Safety Pack (K4 S) adds:
- AEB
- Junction crossing
- Direct, oncoming lane change detection
K4 Sport adds:
- Highway Driving Assist 2
- Adaptive cruise + lane centring
- incl. Lane Change Assist 2
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
How much does the Kia K4 cost to run?
The K4 is covered by Kia’s seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty, with the first 12 months of roadside assistance extended for up to eight years – provided the vehicle is serviced through Kia’s dealer network.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia K4 |
|---|---|
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres |
| Roadside assistance | Up to 8 years (conditional) |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres – 2.0 MPI 12 months or 10,000 kilometres – 1.6 T-GDI |
| Capped-price servicing | Up to 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $3407 – 2.0 MPI (7yrs) $3877 – 1.6 T-GDI (7yrs) |
Servicing for the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine is recommended every 12 months or 10,000km (whichever comes first), with capped-price services ranging from $357 to $717 if undertaken at a Kia dealership.
The 2.0-litre engine in lesser variants, meanwhile, only requires servicing every 12 months or 15,000km, with almost $500 in maintenance costs saved between the two powertrains over seven years, based on capped-price servicing.
To see how the Kia K4 lines up against the competition, check out our comparison tool
CarExpert’s Take on the Kia K4 GT-Line
While I did have some minor complaints about the driving experience, this was more because the car was so good that it amplified the relatively minor annoyances.
It’s not uncommon for vehicles in this segment to feel undercooked or built to a budget, but the K4 offers the convenience of a small car with a high degree of maturity and quality.
And while I had initially pined for the wagon version, by the end of my time with the K4 hatchback, it felt like all the car I would ever need or want. It’s practical, comfortable, has a great interior, and drives really well. It’s just a pity there isn’t a hybrid option to bring down the fuel consumption.
Kia seems to have had a strong vision when developing the K4, which didn’t involve breaking the mould or being the most advanced in any particular area – it just focused on getting the fundamentals right to begin with, then tried to find ways to make the experience better for owners.
The K4 may not have the same kind of brand recognition as the likes of the Toyota Corolla or Hyundai i30, but Kia’s small car is now a genuine alternative to those segment stalwarts – and the sales data suggests Aussie buyers are already beginning to figure that out for themselves.
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