It isn’t often that the head of a car company ‘apologises’ for yet another new vehicle being launched on the Irish market. The reason for the tongue-in-cheek apology – by Kia Ireland managing director Ronan Flood – was the frequency with which his brand has been launching new models.
That has been going on for some time now and, we were told, there are more to come.
They include an April arrival for the new EV2 electric compact SUV, and the June launch of the ‘baby’ Sportage called the Seltos and a bit later there will be more EV5 versions. And I don’t think it ends there.
This week it was the turn of the K4 hatchback (with a brief cameo for the facelifted Stonic) to take centre stage as the bright new star in the Kia line-up.
It is the replacement for one of the best models Kia has made back the years: the Ceed. Remember it being called the cee’d before common sense prevailed? There’s plenty of them – cee’d or Ceed – on the road and among them the SW estate (Sportwagon) which was a favourite of many.
But back to the present and the new K4. As is the way of things these days, the new hatch is a much bigger and roomier entity than its predecessors, so much so that it stretches across the upper echelons of compact family car and larger family car.
In motoring parlance that’s an overlap between C and D segments. Draped with the latest take of the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ design credo, there are horizontal and vertical lines which add contrast and gives it that bit of a different look. It’s a tough terrain out there, where being different – but not too mad – is crucial.
At the front you get slim lines embracing the bonnet and dipping into and around the lights. At the back, the lights stretch across the top and dip down. The overall effect is one of contrast.
Costing from €31,500, the K4 meets the mantra of so many new family cars these days:
- Good price – This is a matter of what the manufacturer deems to be ‘good’. There are a lot of expensive cars out there that are claimed to be ‘well priced’.
- Good design – Has to be markedly different. Not always the case.
- Good space – Has to have plenty of interior space for a growing family.
- Good spec – ‘Premium’ elements
- Good tech – Has advanced technologies.
It is a deceptively long car outside and roomy within: 4,440mm long, 1,850mm wide and everyone benefits. Especially rear-seat occupants. Kia claims there is class-leading rear legroom of 964mm – and significant headroom of 973mm.
I drove the GT-Line version for a quick run in Wicklow. I sat really deep in an enveloping cabin and needed all the adjustment at my disposal to get the way I wanted. And when I did it stayed the way I wanted. Steering wheel adjustment is minimal.
Powering it was a one-litre petrol, mild-hybrid (MHEV) engine (115 PS) with a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
It was smooth on the road, a pleasing light but not woolly feedback through the steering wheel. The chassis meanwhile manages to generate a comfortable ride but avoids lumpy, over-soft damping. That would probably be as a result of work for European tastes on springs, anti-roll bars, shocks and engine mounts. It worked well.
Boot space wouldn’t win an Oscar for the mild-hybrid versions (328 litres due to battery intrusion) but a much better 438-litre otherwise. There will be a 1.6 GDI hybrid (HEV) version with 154 PS before the end of the year.
The K4 has three trim levels. The K2 entry-level model starts from €31,500 as I’ve mentioned. Here’s where the premium elements and advanced technologies mantra stand up and be counted.
Standard spec includes the excellent triple panoramic display (12.3ins touchscreen infotainment, plus 5.3ins climate control, plus 12.3ins digital drivers cluster). They start this trim level with 16ins alloys.
There is dual-zone climate control, forward/reverse parking sensors, forward collision avoidance assist, heated steering wheel and front seats, LED headlights, over-the-air updates and wireless car-play and android auto.
Mid-level trim (K3) 17ins alloys, cube projection LED headlights, vegan leather seats, black/chrome exterior detailing, rear blind-spot collision avoidance assist, electric adjustable seats with lumbar support, wireless charging and rear privacy glass for €34,000.
They couldn’t call the third tier ‘K4’ or they would have had a ‘K4K4’ double take. So it’s called GT-Line. It has driver memory seat, latest forward collision avoidance assist, glass sunroof, digital key 2.0, GT-Line exterior/interior styling, highway driving Assist 2, smart cruise control 2 with stop/go; ventilated front and heated rear seats for €38,500.
That’s a lot of spec. I think the entry-level K2 spec would do many a one. It’s got a lot of stuff for around the €31,500. But the second tier, with 17ins alloys would probably swing it. I’d miss the larger wheels but I make no apologies for saying I’d be happy with the K2 version of the K4.
Meanwhile: The Stonic gets a facelift and a look-in at the K4 launch. Kia said the changes are big and there are more rugged looks. Prices start at €27,500.
