New Kia K4 review: a Korean counter-attack on the VW Golf

Verdict

At first glance, the new petrol-powered Kia K4 seems strangely antiquated – until you take it for a drive. The compact Korean hatchback reminds us that not everything in the past was bad; in fact, much of it was better. It is pleasing to see that Kia hasn’t forgotten that. 

Not everything has to be electric. While Kia is currently launching one battery car after another, the Korean brand is proving it can still do old-school petrol and hybrid-powered hatchbacks. Entering the Volkswagen Golf class as the successor to the Ceed, the refreshingly conventional K4 is a case in point as the firm’s latest offering.

We first drove the K4 in the US at the start of 2025. But not only was that the not-for-Europe saloon bodystyle, the car we tried also featured a more powerful turbo engine, as well as a transmission we’ll not see here when the first cars trickle through in the next few months.

Prices start from £26,045 for the base-spec Pure model fitted with the 113bhp 1.0-litre turbo petrol engine and a six-speed manual gearbox. For that money, Kia isn’t just relying on a new form – stretching its compact car from 4.32 to 4.44 metres – but also a striking new look. With the signature ‘Tiger Nose’, plus daytime running lights extending far into the wings, hidden rear door handles and a sleek back end with a ducktail spoiler, the K4 is so cool and edgy that it makes the Golf look even more ordinary than it already is.

Inside, the digital cockpit stretches across the centre console, providing the familiar ambience found in Kia's electric models. Thanks to a 2.72-metre wheelbase, rear passengers sit in first-class comfort. The boot holds 438 litres, making it significantly larger than the Golf's and narrowly beating the firm’s own electric EV4 alternative. Naturally, there’s no ‘frunk’ to be found here; the bonnet conceals a classic internal-combustion engine rather than an electric motor.

If you’ve become familiar with EVs, you’ll have to readjust to the sound of a petrol engine and the manual act of shifting gears – although the dual-clutch transmission manages this almost seamlessly. With one hand on the chunky gear lever and the other on the wheel, you feel taken seriously as a driver again, enjoying the drive as a relatively analogue experience. It feels a bit like listening to music in a stadium rather than on Spotify.

21

It seems Kia has also tightened a few screws on the K4, which is produced in Mexico and was primarily developed for America. While the US saloon acquitted itself well, this European hatchback feels more direct and engaging.

The 1.6-litre turbo in our car suits this character. It delivers a solid 177bhp, taking 8.4 seconds to sprint from 0-62mph, with a top speed of 128mph. This engine is also available with 147bhp and is only marginally slower in a straight line.

Lower down the range, the K4 makes do with a 113bhp 1.0-litre engine, which on paper, takes a lethargic 12.2 seconds to hit 62mph – or 12.3 seconds with the DCT auto. While the K4 is a wonderfully old-fashioned car, even combustion engines can’t completely escape electrification; the base engine comes with mild-hybrid technology as standard.

Kia is swimming against the tide with the K4. As well as offering its brand-new family option with petrol power, it is defiantly resisting the SUV trend. For those wanting more ground clearance and an adventurous look, the XCeed is the last variant of the K4’s predecessor that remains on sale. And if you need even more space, there is already a concept study for a stylish designer estate.

A more detailed drive on UK roads and a turn in the entry-level 1.0T will come early in 2026.