I have a mazda 3 hatch and never been happier bc i use it to store things and especially when I drive long distance, able to have everything packed in the trunk. I can never get a sedan unless I get my dads Stinger somehow lol. But, the next vehicle I want is a wagon and that is limited to Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo and a majority of them are ev's..... The second I found out Kia is making a wagon, my mind is blown!!! Though, I am curious there is no wiper for the rear?
@@saxkid6206 BMW needs to start over again as a whole. I am a purist so any vehicle from the 70s to 2011 [excluding the f60 , and the e65] were all good years for BMW. Now, the prestige has gone down entirely...Only way I'd get a BMW is if it is older. For now, the day Kia makes this wagon, I would be completely sold. We need more wagons and hatches.
Hello, I am Korean. It's so sad that Kia's K4 is only sold in North America. I hope they sell it in Korea too. Thank you everyone for your interest in KIA.
@dagoose. My 2018 Hyundai GT Sport is damn near a wagon, & the Forte5 currently being sold in Canada is a wagon by all means. This new K4 gets a 5" wheelbase increase so yea it'll definitely be more on the wagon side of size
@@makatron That was initially my thought too, but the easy way to distinguish a wagon from a hatchback is by looking at the rear quarter area profile from the rear wheel back. Hatchbacks have a shortened rear overhang and a smaller rear quarter window or no rear quarter window in the cargo area. Wagons tend to be the same length as the sedan they're based on, with a similar longer rear overhang and a much larger rear quarter window in the cargo area.
The GT will get the new 2.5t engine from the K5/Sonata like the next Elantra N probably with less power and handling (it's a GT after all). What kia have not mentioned in any of the K4 press release is a hybrid powertrain. We got the Prius, Corolla Cross, and Civic hybrid with more powerful powertrains, and the Korean Car Blog just just did an article stating that H/K is planning to build better hybrid powertrains with AWD for their compact sedans (K4/Elantra) and subcompact crossovers (Kona/Seltos/Niro). As for the n/a 1.6 hybrid, it could go into the Soul and Venue if they get a second generation.
Im still waiting for Toyota to offer ventilation seats on the Corolla. I probably will have to hold my breath for that day to happen. And it looks like we get a half pano roof on the K4. The Koreans are just taking innovation features to the next level. They have truly made the impossible, possible! I have to give credit where credit is due.
@naveenthemachine Naveen, I own an Elantra. It's a 2017 limited model, but I still get compliments on my car. My neighbor thought it was an Audi at first. I remembered buying my car, I had to choose between Corolla and Elantra. The Toyota dealership was going to put me in a Corolla LE. I abruptly walked away because I told the Salesman that I don't do base model cars. And wouldn't give me a deal on the SE Corolla.. And then I went up the street to Hyundai. I was floored of the features my car has. I got memory seats on a compact car! That's wild to me. And, Hyundai gave me a better deal than Toyota. 7 years later, my car still drives like I 1st got it! NO MECHANICAL ISSUES and still under warranty. I am ready to upgrade. Now I don't know if I want to go with Hyundai or Kia. Their lineups are freaking amazing. I'm going to have a hard time choosing..lol
It's not that simple to make a good, reliable and efficient hybrid system + to be profitable. But at least they could put the Niro hybrid system in this K4.
I heard Hyundai has the power of what parts are used for kia. The sonata came with the digital instrument panel, Hyundai didn't want kia to have it on the k5 cuz it would've eaten sonata sales. Same with hybrid power trains.
Really unfortunate that for such a unique and sporty looking car, they don't have a 200+ horsepower trim, and still no mention of a hybrid powertrain. It's a shame, because I love the design of the k4.
No need you’re gonna get pulled over by an officer ruining your day the minute you wanna have any fun or stuck in traffic. What are you gonna do with all that power? People drive like mad animals here in Florida and I’m simply cruising minding my own business chilling for a hot second over limit and pulled over and ticketed.
They have a 200+ HP GT manual option in the current generation. The Elantra N is on the same platform, and is well above that in power. It shouldn't be too unreasonable to assume they will continue with an Si competitor on the Kia side. They may still be deciding if it will be offered in the hatchback, sedan, or both (unlikely both).
These are great. Both are excellent updates and additions. While so many side by side comparisons in this segment go the Toyota/Honda/Mazda route, I don't think the K4 will be able to be ignored like Nissan usually is.
That hatchback looks good. I recently went into Hyundai and drove the Elantra N, but couldnt give up my Veloster N. If they made an Elantra N hatch I would have bought it. Something about the hot hatches thats just awesome.
I daily the last true hatchback that Hyundai/ Kia offered for the US which is a 2018 GT Sport (Hyundai) I've been driving it since 2020 & I absolutely love it, but the reliability has some short comings forsure. It has the 1.6T/ 7spd DCT although it puts out 201hp/ 195lbs torque opposed to the 190hp they usually give the 1.6T in its other iterations. That thing was $30k new & is absolutely jammed packed with features, esp for its time. Full glass panoramic sunroof, heated & ventilated real leather seats, wireless charger, Infinity sound system with a sub, rear AC vents, the autonomous driving suite which imo KDM offers some of the best in the industry, nice burbly dual exhausts, the list goes on & on, plus its pretty quick for what it is - 0-60 in about 6s flat with the DCT, but again reliability has definitely been hit or miss & Hyundai's warranty is great on paper, but actually getting them to warrant the warranty is a huge headache every. single. time. unfortunately. I was bummed that the Forte5 hatch didn't come to us, that thing is basically a wagon, which a wagon is the car I currently have on order - a 2024 Audi A4 Allroad Prestige Black Optics, I'm just waiting on it to arrive & then I'm passing my GT Sport onto my gf & eventually my son in a few years when he is old enough to drive. But man, cross shopping last year for another hatch or wagon was a huuuuge headache & I eventually settled on the A4 Allroad which does check all my boxes, but it is a shame that we either get sedans or CUVs 99% of the time anymore. This K4 hatch looks awesome & it supposedly has a 5" wheelbase increase which tbh will prob put it close to midsize for the sedan, & more of a wagon for the hatchback like is true for the Forte5 in Canada. Nice tho Kia that is awesome. Just wish they'd offer more full panoramic sunroofs like Hyundai does, that'd of tied this in nicely.
Great design on a small wagon. Honda will need to step up their civic line to keep up, although, civic will have hybrid option. But, That wagon is great!!!
Can't wait to see that wagon come here. The Signia wagon is nice, but very expensive. So this would be a great option. Nice to see Kia making green interiors! So tired of black.
After buying a used Outback last year since it was one of the few wagon options in North America, all I can say is that I'd love to see the wagon version of the K4 in person... And if I fit in it nicely, and it has comfortable driving dynamics, I wouldn't mind leasing one.
Can’t believe you compared this to the Crown Signa. It couldn’t carry the Signas jock strap. Sure it has a 10 year, 100,000 mile warranty to cover replacing the engine after 60,000 miles. You have never reviewed a car without thinking it is the best car you have ever seen. I resubscribed just so I have the entertainment.
I'd buy the wagon. I'd love to see it in a mint green or something to compliment the interior of the non GT model. Love the rear design it gives boxy hatchback that has a way stronger presence than other hatchbacks in the segment. Love the direction the brand is going in.
With the market showing hybrids are being far more sought after… and this is the ‘brother’ of the Elantra, why not offer a hybrid option!? I am with you, HUGE fan of hatch/wagons. Super happy to see someone actually investing back into them!
I've noticed in the Korean market that they get EVERYTHING! Which makes sense because that's where their cars are. My theory is that for the North American market, they don't want to step on each other toes with features between Hyundai and Kia. Some features we get on Hyundai will not be with Kia or vice versa. Maybe they will add a hybrid on a refresh model of the K4? It seems the Koreans listen to their customers if there is a demand for it.
I had a volvo v60, that had to trade-in when it started to give me issues in 2022. I miss that car... hopefully they keep the price in the mid 30s for the GT and I will 100% will get this once i had over my current car to my older daughter in 3 years! This is an amazing looking wagon! Love it
Back in the day, I had a kia Spectra5 SX (the wagon version of the Spectra, then the Spectra became the Forte, now we have the K4) It was my first kia, and it was a great car but super basic. It had a sunroof (a first for me) and the upgraded wheels. Seemed really well put together and I never had any issues with it. Then I upgraded after a few years to the Optima, when it got redesigned in 2011. I have been with the kia brand ever since. I've had Sportages, a hybrid Optima, and currently an Optima SX-L. I am really exited for the new hatch from kia!! I drove the Seltos SX about a year ago and it has this 1.6 turbo 8 speed auto, it seemed plenty powerful enough.
Love the looks but too bad that beautiful green interior is only available on the EX models (per Autoblog). As for that wagon, way to go Kia. Think I'll wait another year for that one.
The HB/Wagon is a nice option most will pass up. Having owned a Forte GT, I am kinda disappointed Kia took 10HP off the K4 turbo engine. No DCT tranny either which I kinda enjoyed. Make a GT version of the HB with the 2.5T and I would most likely buy one and there are a few that would want a hot HB but sales will still be light. The sedan just looks weird. It's like they started to make a HB and then made a sedan. That reason alone would mean I would bypass it even if it was a GT. In fact, maybe I need to buy a 2024 Forte GT before the end of the year on closeout?
I was extremely excited for this return of a wagon until I saw the engine choices. Engine choices doesnt even change when you get a "GT" model lol Will wait to see what the other manufacturers come out with.
It's crazy to me to move from physical climate controls to streamline the look of the interior, yet still keep the traditional shift lever. I feel like shift buttons or knobs should be as standard as a backup camera at this point. It frees up so much space and REALLY cleans up the look of an interior. Then if you want that "sporty feel" of a semi-automatic gearbox, then they need to add paddle shifters because no one seems to use the lever for shifting anyway.
Good job Kia. Too bad the market doesn't support a 3-door hatch with a manual. That would be a spiritual successor to my old 70 series Corolla SR5 Liftback. 😀 Kia, please keep this affordable!
the wagon would be awesome if they offered a slightly larger engine. Make a hot hatch akin to the old Mazdaspeed 3-series cars. The hatch, to me, is the one to get - it just looks better and you get a larger trunk - win-win.
The C pillar is really busy. I’d rather have a cyber truck hidden button to pop the door if you’re gonna try to hide a handle. I’d like to see them both in person if I were choosing and in multiple colors cause I think that could help the four-door. CVT👎🏼8 Speed Paddle Shifters👍🏼if it’s good. 9:52
I'm really looking forward to the wagon. You get a lot more practical usable space in the same size car as the sedan. The design overall looks great, though I'm really not sure about the rear end. The details on the rear bumper look lumpy and weird. Like a bunch of unnecessary black bits that don't need to be there. Something about the positioning of the tail lamps also looks off to me relative to the little protruding lip above the taillamp bar. I can't wait to check this car out in person!
The side view of the sedan is homely - especially the odd part above the rear wheels and where the roof meets the side panel. The hatchback/wagon looks great as does the interior and I really like the steering wheel. Unfortunately, it will have the Kia/Hyundai 2.0 liter engine and its many problems and that's a deal breaker. No way.
I wonder if they’ll ever make a full on K4 GT with something like the Elantra N in their powertrain lineup. Would be amazing to see in the wagon model 👀
It's not a wagon it's a hatchback !! And this car needs to be the GT version of the K4 with a 2.0 LT engine turbo charged at least 250 HP and 260 lbs of torque AWD with LSD in all the tires and it will be a killer competitor !!!
I absolutely love when carmakers go for daring designs. I hate how stale the market had gotten. Like iPhones 😅 I am a ride or die for Apple but where’s the fun?
Hopefully they deliver on a hatchback. They said the Forte5 was coming. It's good to know the 2.0 GT Line is getting a rear multilink. I would have bought that instead of the 1.6T.
Want Factor: Off the Charts! Hope the load floor is long enough to accommodate concert grand harp. Put the turbocharged 2L with the wet dual-clutch transmission from the 22/23 Hyundai Kona in this thing and I'd put my deposit down today.
the sedan’s side starting to look weird starting the rear door, looks like the unbalance look of the Honda’s Clarity. It’s like merging 2 vehicles with the seam at the c-pillar. 5-door looks much better.