2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: The Korean Brand Adds A Hatchback

Highlight: The K4 is also available as a sedan.

Test Vehicle’s MSRP: $32,870 (Base EX Trim MSRP): $26,235

Seating Capacity: 5 passenger seating 

Standard Safety Features: airbags; ABS; a backup camera; a blind spot collision avoidance assist; rear cross traffic avoidance; a lane keep assist system; a lane following assist system; a high beam assist; a forward collision assist system; a vehicle stability system; a tire pressure monitoring system; a hill start assist; a hill start assist system; and a tire pressure monitoring system

Standard Equipment (GT-Line Turbo): 18-inch alloy wheels; 8-speed automatic transmission; a sport-tuned multilink suspension; push button ignition system; a power sunroof with sunshade; highway driving assist; LED projector headlights; LED fog lights; 12-inch infotainment screen; a navigation system; rear air vents; Kia AI assistant; a wireless phone charger; a dual zone automatic climate control system;  leather like seating material; heated front seats; and GT sport steering wheel with paddle shifters

Options: Yellow paint; highway driving assist; parking collision avoidance assist; surround view and blind spot monitors; multi color LED ambient lighting; memory driver’s seat (and our door mirrors); ventilated front seats; heated steering wheels; smartphone digital key; and carpeted floor mats

Other Trim Levels:

Non turbo GT Line

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an speaker Harman/Kardon audio system with AM/FM/HD/SiriusXM

Android/Apple CarPlay: Yes (test model)

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 5 years or 60,000 miles

Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles

Standard Engine/Horsepower (Test Vehicle): 1.6-liter turbocharged, 4-cylinder /190-hp

Recommended Fuel: Regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 26-city/36-hwy (test model)

What’s New: The K4, which is formerly known as the Forte, is all-new for the 2025 model year.

Why:

Roomy

18-inch wheels available

A variety of trims

1.6-liter turbo on GT-Line turbo

A high-level of available features

Two powertrains available

A high-level of safety driving aids

A dual zone automatic climate control system

A 12-inch infotainment system

A navigation system

Wireless phone charger

Heated front seats

One of the best new car warranties and powertrains in the industry

Power sunroof available

Pseudo leather seating available

SiriusXM available

But:

No hybrid powertrain

No manual transmission available

No performance-oriented version to rival Toyota’s and Honda’s hatchbacks

No AWD

Needs more support for front seats (to make the GT turbo feel sporty)

 

Verdict: After a one-year absence, Kia returns with a compact hatchback. The last hatchback was known as the Forte.This year’s stylish 5 door vehicles is available in a front wheel drive configuration with an automatic transmission.

Buyers can opt for two powertrains. The one we reviewed was the Korean brand’s 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo which produced 190-horsepower. While this was significantly more than the base EX trim which only spewed out 147-horsepower.

Ironically, its Japanese competitors offer several turbo performance-oriented hatches that will leave the K4 in the dusk. The Mazda3 Hatchback kicks out 250-horsepower, while Toyota GR tops out at 300-horsepower. And both price points are well-beyond what Kia customers are paying for their hatches.

Although Kia’s K4 hatchback offers less spunk in terms of engagement, the stylish compact can be configured with a load of features. In the case of our GT-Line turbo, the vehicle was outfitted with a 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a power sunroof, a heated power driver’s seat and a premium audio system.

Overall, Kia’s offers a great value-added vehicle to its line up. The brand could hit a sweet spot by adding a performance-oriented version controlled by a manual transmission.

Competition: Honda Civic hatchback; Hyundai Elantra hatchback; Mazda3 hatchback; and Toyota Corolla hatchback