2026 Kia K4 Hatchback: This Is It

The K4 Hatchback is a more practical alternative to the stylish sedan. It goes on sale in America later this year.

Photo by: Kia

By: Chris Perkins

Apr 16, at 10:00am ET

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Last year, Kia pleasantly surprised us by confirming the new K4 Hatchback was US bound. Now, it's here. Kia pulled the wraps off the production 2026 K4 Hatchback at the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, and confirmed US sales will begin later this year. Who said the hatchback was dead?

This is Kia's answer to hatch variants of the Honda Civic, Mazda3, Toyota Corolla, and perhaps to a lesser extent, the Acura Integra. Buyers may be shifting towards crossovers, but Kia sees enough of a market to roll the dice on a K4 Hatchback here in the states.

It's a very distinctive hatch, with a floating-roof design and rear door handles integrated into the C-Pillar, disappearing from view. The gently tapering roof allows for what Kia claims is best-in-class rear headroom, and the K4 Hatchback also has more rear legroom than any of its rivals. That said, its 22.2 cubic-feet of rear cargo room, while good, can't match the 24.8 cubic-feet of the Honda Civic Hatchback. Remarkably, though, the K4 Hatchback is 11 inches shorter overall than the sedan.

Photo by: Kia

Like the sedan, the K4 Hatchback will be available with two engines, a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and a 190-hp 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder in the GT-Line Turbo. The former pairs with a continuously variable transmission, while the latter mates with an eight-speed automatic. Both the GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo get a unique sporty suspension tune, too, and 18-inch wheels along with other racier styling elements.

Other than the rear cargo area, the interior is basically identical to that of the K4 sedan, with dual 12.3-inch screens for gauge cluster and infotainment. There's a ton of driver-assist systems standard, like adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist, while optional on the GT-Line Turbo is Kia's great Highway Driving Assist.

Kia hasn't confirmed details on trim and pricing yet, so we don't know if the K4 Hatchback will follow the same exact scheme as the sedan. But like for like, expect the Hatchback to cost a bit more than the sedan, which currently starts at $23,165, and climbs to $31,860 for a fully optioned GT-Line Turbo.