While Kia’s big growth spurt during the last decade has been tied to its growing lineup of SUVs, the South Korean brand continues to produce impressive sedans, including the all-new K4 last year. Now it’s keeping another select favorite on the spec sheet: the hatchback with its new 2026 K4 Hatchback.
The K4 Hatchback GT-Line models feature unique design elements that amplify its sporty character, including a three-spoke steering wheel, paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels.
The K4 Hatchback is the sibling of the K4 compact sedan the brand introduced last year to take place of the Kia Forte. With aggressive styling and affordable pricing, much like its midsize K5, the K4 has been well received.
“After the overwhelmingly positive response to last year’s hatchback teaser in New York, we knew we had struck a chord with car enthusiasts and consumers alike,” said Steven Center, COO & EVP, Kia America, in a statement.
“Built on the success of the K4 sedan, this hatchback isn’t just about style – it’s about attitude. With available turbo power, a sport-tuned suspension, a more compact footprint, and exceptional versatility, the K4 Hatchback is designed for those who crave excitement at every turn.”
New hatch, new look
Hatchbacks have enjoyed a bit of a renaissance in recent years, albeit most of them have been “hot” hatches. The new K4 Hatchback doesn’t come in that form — yet. The new version is slightly shorter than its sedan sibling, improving handling while remaining roomy an comfortable inside, according to Kia officials.
The hatchback version of the K4 was merely a concept vehicle last year, but power to the people, it’s a 2026 model.
While the new hatchback draws its design inspiration from the sedan and Kia’s Opposites United design philosophy, it’s not a fraternal twin of the sedan. First, it’s 11 inches shorter, plus its roof line extends down to the rear hatch.
The K4 Hatchback GT-Line models feature unique design elements that amplify its sporty character, including a three-spoke steering wheel, paddle shifters, 18-inch alloy wheels (compared to the standard 17-inch alloy wheels), gloss black mirror caps, side sills, and wheel arch moldings.
Additionally, the GT-Line Turbo gets small cube LED projection headlights, LED fog lights, plus a standard power sunroof and 16-inch front brakes.
It’s the inside that counts
While it’s shorter, the K4 Hatch offers the same amount of class-leading legroom for rear seat passenger, plus those folks get an extra inch of headroom. Its versatile cargo space further boosts utility with 22.2 cu. ft. of room behind the rear seats, expanding to 59.3 cu. ft. with the seats folded flat.
In addition to offering plenty of room, the K4 Hatch also provides the latest convenience and safety technology in ways that are easy to use. The driver cockpit features two digital displays covering about 30 inches. It features Kia’s Connected Car Navigation system making it simple to get where you want to go.
The driver cockpit features two digital displays covering about 30 inches, and as slew of technology.
Naturally, it comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto standard, plus wireless phone charging. If you want a few more niceties, for a bit more cash you can add heated front seats, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, Kia’s Digital Key 2.0, which allows the owner to give other smartphone users access to the vehicle without giving them an actual key.
Available Digital Features and Services lets owners access Premium Data Services — including Vehicle Software Over- the-Air (OTA) updates, music streaming, and WiFi hotspot — via the Kia Connect Store.
“With Kia Connect’s generative AI-based voice assistant, drivers can enjoy control over key vehicle functions by simply saying, ‘Hey Kia’ to adjust climate settings, manage audio, and more,” the company noted. “The enhanced Voice Recognition feature can now answer certain questions about the owner’s manual, suggest places to visit, play voice-activated games, and more, further enriching the in-vehicle experience.”
More Kia K4 News
- Kia K4 Set to Debut at NY Auto Show as Forte Replacement
- First Look: 2025 Kia K4 — Taking the Compact Sedan to a New Level
- First Drive: 2025 Kia K4 — More than Just a New Name
On the road
The new model comes in the base model as well as the sporty-looking GT-Line. Both are powered by a 147-horsepower 4-cylinder. However, there is 190-hp variant of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.
The K4 Hatchback borrow from the K4 sedan for sure, but they aren’t identical twins.
Those numbers may be slightly disappointing as they fall short of the sedan’s base 2.5-liter 4-cylinder, which develops 191 hp. No word on if a GT variant with a more powerful engine — the GT sedan gets a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder putting out 290 hp — is in the works.
The hatch also comes with the latest advanced driver assistance tech, including Blind-Spot Collision Warning, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert as standard. Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Blind-Spot View Monitor, Surround-View Monitor and Parking Distance Warning systems can be added.
The K4 Hatchback is expected to arrive in late 2025, with pricing, trim details, and EPA-rated fuel economy to be announced closer to its on-sale date.
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