Kia went for the 'expect the unexpected' type of presentation at the 2024 International New York Auto Show. The carmaker unveiled the K4 compact sedan and came up with a bonus: the K4 hatchback has been confirmed for the US.
The Forte sedan stepped off the stage, making room for the K4 that Kia unveiled on Wednesday in New York. But things took a very surprising turn at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in the Big Apple.
While detailing the sedan, Kia also showed photos of an upcoming K4 hatchback, coming to replace the Forte5 that the carmaker discontinued back in 2018 due to low demand. But the hatchback does make sense in the US since most rivals, such as the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3 do have hatchback variants alongside the sedans.
The future hatchback model will be available in America at a later date, the carmaker says. But before that happens, we know that it will mirror the front-end design of the all-new Kia K4 sedan. The two of them will share the looks up until the rear pillar, where the tailgate is replaced by a fifth door.
While the sedan measures 185.4 inches in length and 72.8 inches in width, we have yet to find out the exact dimensions of the hatchback.
Photo: Kia Motors
Most likely, the trim levels of the hatchback will be identical to those of the sedan, which means that customers will be able to choose from the LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo.
Taillights with a layout similar to that of the sedan show up at the rear as an LED strip connects the two units. The cargo space should be more generous than that of the sedan, which offers 14.6 cubic feet of luggage space.
The hatchback will also carry over the updated tech of the sedan. This means that the cabin will host nearly 30 inches of screen surface as standard. The larger-than-life screen will integrate the instrument cluster and the touchscreen that will control most of the functions of the car.
The K4 hatchback will come with an engine lineup identical to that of the sedan. This translates to an entry-level version powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which delivers 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque.
The turbocharged 1.6-liter will set the range-topping Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo in motion, with 190 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque.
We have yet to find out pricing and performance figures. That is probably going to happen closer to the market launch, which should be later this year, soon after the market debut of the K4, scheduled to take place in the second half of 2024. Both of them will benefit from Kia America's ten-year or 100,000-mile warranty.
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