2026 Kia K4 Hatchback

The Kia K4 came out for the 2025 model year as the brand’s all-new compact sedan, replacing the old Kia Forte. Now, for 2026, an all-new Kia K4 Hatchback arrives on the scene, adding extra versatility and cargo space to an already great formula. It has the same engine options as the K4 sedan, which range from efficient to perky, and has the class-leading warranty coverage we love about Kia. Meanwhile, its technology and interior quality might make it feel like you’re driving a more expensive car. The K4 Hatchback is set to arrive in late 2025.

The Kia K4 Hatchback is all-new for the 2026 model year, following the K4 sedan’s debut for the 2025 model year.

On-Sale Date

The 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback is slated to arrive in U.S. dealerships in late 2025.

We expect the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback to start at about $25,000, including destination fee. A loaded GT-Line model with the turbocharged engine will likely start in the low-$30K range.

Before buying a K4 Hatchback, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Kia K4 sedan resale value is about average for the segment, and we expect the hatchback’s resale value to be similar. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback is powered by a 147-horsepower 4-cylinder engine matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive (FWD). In our time driving the K4 sedan, we were surprised, very pleasantly, that this base engine provides more oomph than expected. We reckon it will be more than fine for most K4 drivers’ needs. And there’s always the Sport mode to further liven things up.

Also available is a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder rated at 190 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. In our testing of the sedan version of the Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo, we found it an invigorating partner. This powertrain made short work of the Texas Hill Country where we tested it extensively, with power always readily available to tackle elevation changes and passing maneuvers on narrow two-lane roads. The GT-Line trims also appeal to those who like to have a little more fun behind the wheel, thanks to their sport-tuned suspension and quicker steering ratio.

Overall, the K4’s ride quality is taut yet compliant, and we found it a fun partner for running errands and longer highway treks alike. We expect ride quality, braking, and handling in the K4 Hatchback to be quite similar to the K4 sedan.

Fuel Economy

Using the Kia K4 sedan as a measuring stick, we expect the Kia K4 Hatchback to get around 34 mpg in combined city/highway driving with the base engine and about 29 mpg combined with the optional turbo engine.

We were impressed with the Kia K4’s interior when the sedan version debuted, and it’s largely the same in the K4 Hatchback. The obvious difference is in the cargo area, which has 22.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seats and 59.3 cubic feet of max cargo room with those seats folded down. For reference, the K4 sedan has a 14.6-cubic-foot trunk. Additionally, the flat roof of the K4 Hatchback gives the rear seats an extra inch of headroom compared to the sedan.

Most of the dashboard — in the higher trims, at least — is taken up by a glass-covered unit that spans almost 30 inches. It accommodates an instrument cluster, climate control adjustment, and infotainment. The rest of the front section is kept neat yet still has a decent number of physical buttons to save the driver from delving into menus. We’ve also noted the conventional gear shifter (instead of a push-button system), which gets our approval.

We appreciate that two USB-C charging ports come standard in the back so rear passengers can keep devices charged. If you want rear air vents, though, you have to step up to the top GT-Line Turbo.

This won’t come as a surprise, but the Kia K4 Hatchback looks just like the K4 sedan, except it’s a hatchback. But there’s more to it than just a flatter roof. The hatchback’s overall length is 11 inches shorter than the sedan’s. That means it gives you more space in the garage while yielding cargo room and the same rear legroom compared to its sedan counterpart. Hatchbacks simply have tidier packaging than sedans, which is why we’re happy to see the K4 get a hatchback variant.

Tons of cargo room
Who needs an SUV? The K4 Hatchback has 22.2 cubic feet of cargo room behind the back seats and 59.3 cubic feet of max cargo space with those seats folded down. That’s comparable to the Kia Soul SUV.

Nearly 30 inches of screen
Dual 12.3-inch displays with a 5-inch HVAC control screen in between them make for one big rectangular display that gives the K4 Hatchback’s interior a high-tech look and feel. It all integrates nicely for a pleasant user experience.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Cable-free phone integration is standard across the 2026 K4 Hatchback range. We find this feature wonderfully convenient.

Turbo option
The available 190-hp turbocharged engine in the Kia K4 Hatchback adds extra excitement to this sensible compact car. It’s easy to recommend if you want one car that’s fun, practical, and reasonably affordable.

Hey, Kia
This is how to activate the K4’s digital assistant. Settings like cabin temperature and audio functions can be controlled with voice commands. It can also provide information on sports scores, owner’s manual information, and much more. It will even listen for follow-up questions.

Driver assist tech
Just a few standard driver assistance tech features in the K4 Hatchback include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keep assist. Additional options include the Highway Driving Assist 2 system, evasive steering assist, blind-spot collision avoidance, and more.

The base engine in the K4 Hatchback is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder unit making 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. It uses a CVT automatic transmission. GT-Line Turbo models use a 1.6-liter turbo 4-cylinder making 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque matched with an 8-speed automatic transmission. All 2026 K4 variants are front-wheel drive.

Class-Leading Warranty

Kia’s warranties are among the best available. Bumper-to-bumper coverage is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first — this includes roadside assistance. Powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles.

Safety

The sedan variant of the Kia K4 has a 5-Star safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and achieves Top Safety Pick status from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Standard safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist detection, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and adaptive cruise control.