The Kia K4 Is A Hot-ish Hatch That Nails Almost Every Test

The typical car journalist is a slut. We date test cars. We don’t marry them. So forgive us for getting smitten by irrational objects like Ford Bronco Raptors we could never afford and Aston Martins that cost more than our homes. But we also lust after more humble whips, like Mustangs—that we won’t buy because two-doors are so impractical!

Then there’s something else entirely. For instance, this Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo is a car my spouse would happily own, and for once, the same goes for me. Maybe? That’s because it almost ticks dang near every box, and as my colleague recently argued, is a more pragmatic car than the Honda Civic. True enough, but I have two other points:

1. Why you should buy the Kia K4 Hatchback base model rather than a Subaru Crosstrek or a Honda HR-V.

2. Why you shouldn’t buy the Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo if what you want is a genuine hot hatch.

Base Trim Engine

2.0L I4 | 1.6L I4 Turbo

Base Trim Transmission

CVT

Base Trim Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Base Trim Horsepower

147 hp (2.0L) | 190 hp (1.6L Turbo)

Base Trim Torque

132 lb-ft (2.0L)

Make

Kia

Model

K4 Hatchback

Segment

Midsize Hatchback

I’m going to use a bunch of data to mesmerize you in this discussion, but I’m also perhaps unreliable. You’ll have to decide if these arguments pry open your wallet or snap it shut.

The K4’s Crossover Versatility

Eyeball the table below, and you’ll realize that the Honda Civic, even as a hatchback, isn’t a great comp to the Kia K4 hatchback. Because if what you want is a car with great second-row legroom, you should be shopping for Kia’s other excellent option, the Seltos, or Hyundai’s Kona. The Subaru Crosstrek and Honda HR-V? Only the HR-V is somewhat close in capacity. And while Mazda and Toyota will sell you similarly priced and formatted hatches, your rear seat passengers will whine about that decision, and you will, too, when you realize you can’t stuff nearly as much luggage aboard, and forget strollers, bikes, and other awkward payload.

Kia K4 Hatchback vs. Rivals

No All-Wheel Drive Option

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

A dealer told me recently that they couldn’t get any version of the car I was shopping for without all-wheel drive. I live in the Northeast, so this is almost reasonable. Americans blindly buy all-wheel-drive—then drive around on bald summer tires and wonder why they’re sliding all over the place when it sleets. Hey, I don’t blame the dealer. It’s supply and demand, and he’d have trouble convincing a customer that traction and stability control plus front-wheel-drive will be fine in just about any situation where you’re not actively four-wheeling.

Buy The Seltos? Or The Crosstrek?

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

You’ve got your fingers in your ears, and you’re ignoring my argument for front-wheel drive. Gotcha. Then buy the Seltos LX, not the K4 Hatchback. At $25,290, it’s the cheapest all-wheel-drive option on this list that gets you four-wheel traction and the best cargo capacity for the buck. But why exactly do you want all-wheel drive? If the answer is to power up an unplowed snowy driveway at your cabin in the forest, the Crosstrek is the only option. Its 8.7 inches of ground clearance smokes the Seltos’s 7.3. Just in case you’re wondering, you will have to pay for the snow plow service if you buy the K4 Hatchback; it only has 5.3 inches of ground clearance.

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Is This A Hot Hatch?

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

I love the look of the K4 Hatchback. It oozes “shooting brake” vibes. And specs-wise, the GT-Line is giving you a lot vs. the stock model.

Kia K4 Hatchback Base vs. GT-Line Turbo

The first thing to notice on that table isn’t the hotter engine. It matters, but what makes a bigger difference is the shiftable manumatic. Switch the car to Sport mode, and this transmission will gear-hold right up to scraping the 6,500 RPM redline. The slushbox still isn’t a legit replacement for a three-pedal car, because it rejects downshifts above about 4,000 RPM, but the paddles buy back more driver control, and ahead of some corners, you can coax out far more entertaining rotation than any CVT provides.

Further, that turbocharged engine kicks out peak torque quickly, and the steering has actual feel. Oh, and note that suspension distinction, too, where the more sophisticated rear end provides a smoother ride with far less chop over beat-up pavement. Now…stay tuned for the minuses.

1.6 Liters Could Do More

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

We have an argument for why this GT could be more “gran” and more “turismo,” and it takes the form of the 1.6-liter three-cylinder Toyota GR Corolla that spits out 300 flaming horses. This Kia also sports 1.6 liters in a more traditional and mainstream four-cylinder format. You have to think Kia could get a lot closer to, oh, 230 horsepower just through an ECU update, better breathing, and a larger turbo or a revision of the extant turbo.

Add bigger brakes and a wheelsize swap, and you’ve got an arrow pointed directly at the VW GTI. Probably, that’d be the sweet spot. Niggling further, you’d really want Kia to make this car with a true manual, as Honda offers with the Civic Si—though sadly that’s not a hatchback. You have to roll over to the way pricier Civic Type R to have your Honda hatch and shift it, too. Price-wise, the best alternative to the GT-Line is the $31,000 2.5 S Premium Mazda 3. Its 186-horses just about match the Kia’s 190 horsepower, and you can have the Mazda with a stick.

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Fairly Loaded Top-Trim And Optional Package

Let’s say you’re fine with this Kia as is. You don’t need it to have all-wheel drive or a standard transmission. In that case, it’s hard to argue with how much value Kia throws at the GT-Line. For instance, with the $2,300 tech package, you’re getting a full array of parking sensors, around-view camera capability, adaptive cruise control that includes slowing for corners using GPS (a feature that’s common at the luxury-car tier but less the case at this price), and camera monitoring of your blind spot when merging or if a passenger is exiting the car.

The $28,890 GT-Line Doesn’t Need Options

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

Even if you skip the upgrade, you’re getting wired and wireless CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as standard front and rear seat phone charging, a fairly large, 12.3-inch touchscreen display, heated seats, eight-speaker audio with a subwoofer, and a 10-way adjustable driver’s seat that’s ultra comfortable and reasonably hugging for more playful driving. One reason I have a crush on the K4 Hatchback is that I love a great bargain, and it is definitely that.

TopSpeed’s Take

TopSpeed | Michael Frank

Personally, I’m fine with the K4 Hatchback’s split personality. It would make an ideal daily driver, it’s roomier than a lot of alternatives and would be dandy for shuttling even teenagers, not just toddlers, and the fuel economy numbers are even decent. It’s also a blast to drive, and even gets a NHTSA five-star safety rating. Do I want Kia to push the envelope and make a legit hot hatch out of the GT-Line? You know the answer. I like fast and fun cars. But honestly, I could even marry the GT-Line Turbo exactly as it is. Just not in that alarming mustard color. Because even shameless car journalists have standards.