Обзор Kia K4 Hatchback: компактный хэтчбек с турбомотором и спортивным характером

This is an ideal form factor for a car, I think to myself as I cruise along in the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback. Small, yet roomy inside, with sharp styling and a peppy turbo engine — what else do you need? Nothing comes to mind. Well, maybe it could use one thing. But I’ll get to that. The Kia K4 Hatchback is the sibling of the K4 sedan, which arrived a couple years back as the replacement for the compact Forte in Kia’s lineup. The hatch just went on sale in January, and it has the same basic offering as the sedan: two engines, multiple trims. My tester, a top-level GT-Line Turbo model finished in Wave Blue with a black/white synthetic leather-trimmed interior, comes fully loaded. Power comes from a 1.6-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels. Output is rated at 190 horsepower and 195 pounds-feet of torque or motive force. Inside, I find the K4 Hatch to be quite accommodating for a small car. In addition to synthetic leather seating, the front seats are also heated and cooled. The steering wheel is leather-wrapped and heated. It also has a Harmon Kardon audio system and a sunroof. Finally, there are screens. Big ones. Both the instrument cluster and the multimedia touchscreen measure 12.3 inches, and the latter supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. I like the look of this cabin. Despite an abundance of features, the layout is approachable, and it’s reassuring to find buttons and switches in places I am expecting. I’m not wild about some climate functions being housed in a capacitive touch panel next to the multimedia screen, but they work fine. Better choices were made for items such as fan speed, temperature and a volume wheel, which are on physical buttons that are easy to locate and use. Same goes for the console-mounted gearshift lever, which is as straightforward to use as ever. And there’s still plenty of space for big cupholders and storage in the centre armrest bin. It’s frustrating that automakers continue to needlessly mess with this proven formula, but kudos to Kia for leaving well enough alone in this instance. Overall, the cabin is well-finished, spacious and logically laid out. It’s a bit dark, but the black is balanced out by white trim on the seats, door trims and steering wheel. The white accents help brighten the interior and make it more inviting. On the road, the K4 Hatchback is a fun and engaging car to drive. Its turbo engine provides good acceleration from rest, thanks to lots of low-end torque. With peak torque beginning at just 1,700 rpm, passing slower traffic and merging onto highways is a breeze. A press of the steering-wheel-mounted drive mode selector button puts the car into sport mode, which makes the car even quicker. The 1.6 turbo is buzzy under acceleration, but most four-cylinder engines are. I find its noise to be no worse than other four-cylinder turbos I’ve tested. Its ride is generally comfortable, if a bit on the firm side. I attribute that, in part, to my tester’s 18-inch wheels and low-profile tires. That, and the fact that it rides on a shorter wheelbase. Physics, in other words. As for steering and general handling, the K4 Hatch feels responsive and precise. Overall, the K4’s ride and handling dynamics are like that of other small cars I’ve tested. The GT-Line Turbo is the only K4 model that is equipped with a multi-link rear suspension and bigger brake discs (2.5 centimetres up front, 3 cm at the rear), which improves its handling prowess. Same goes for its standard 18-inch wheels. All of this makes the K4 Hatch quite fun to drive, as equipped. There isn’t much to criticize. But, as I said at the top, there is one thing on my wish list. A manual transmission. Unlike its Japanese rivals, Kia doesn’t build a spicy, track-oriented version of its compact hatchback, so there’s no need for a manual gearbox option for the K4. And manuals don’t sell, besides. Yes, I know. But that doesn’t change the fact that a K4 Hatch turbo would be even more fun to drive with a manual transmission. More dynamic, more engaging, more exciting. That’s not coming, I know. But I can dream. A more relevant nitpick is the lack of any electrified models, as the K4 is gas-only across its model range for both sedan and hatchback. Its rivals, such as the Civic and Corolla, are offered as hybrids. But those critiques aside, the Kia K4 Hatchback is handsome, spacious and well-equipped. And while it’s not spicy, it’s still plenty fun to drive. Even without a manual transmission.