2026 Kia K4 Hatchback: A Yes for Canada

Let’s be honest, options are fairly limited when it comes to family cars or hatchback models in Canada, but there will be one more choice next year thanks to Kia. The Korean automaker took advantage of the New York International Auto Show to announce that the brand-new Kia K4 hatchback will be added to the lineup here starting next year.

Personally, I think it’s an excellent idea for Kia to offer a small hatchback in Canada. Our market has always had a strong appetite for this type of vehicle, but manufacturers almost always associate us with the United States, where our neighbors are much less enthusiastic about this kind of product.

Prettier and More Functional

From the front, the Kia K4 hatchback looks identical to the sedan, but when it comes to the side profile and the rear, you can easily tell them apart. One of the first things that stands out is the floating roof, somewhat reminiscent of a yacht, which gives the car a luxurious feel and a very fluid design. As for the rear, the styling is inspired by some of Kia’s electric models like the EV6 and EV9, which nicely rounds out the look of the brand’s new hatchback.

The cabin of the Kia K4 hatchback is spacious—very spacious, in fact—with cargo space reaching up to 1,680 liters when the second-row seats are folded down.

Efficient and Powerful

The Kia K4 hatchback promises to be very interesting mechanically thanks to the two powertrains it offers. First, you can choose a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Then, there’s a turbocharged 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that develops 190 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

Needless to say, the Kia K4 hatchback is a model we’re all eagerly awaiting. Pricing details have not yet been announced, but we can expect a slight increase compared to the sedan version.

Jean-Sébastien Poudrier