2026 Kia K4 price and specs: Corolla rival gets new base engine, hatchback body style

The Kia K4 arrived in Australia at the beginning of 2025 to replace the Cerato, but it was only available as a sedan. Now, it’s gaining a hatchback for model year 2026 (MY26), along with a new base engine.

The 2026 Kia K4 lineup arrives in dealerships this month, with prices increased by between $800 and $1500.

As reported by CarExpert in June, the K4 has swapped its 2.0-litre ‘MPI’ four-cylinder petrol engine for an Atkinson-cycle 2.0-litre mill. This also sees the old six-speed auto swapped for Kia’s Intelligent Variable Transmission, the Korean brand’s term for a continuously variable transmission.

The result is significantly improved fuel consumption – 6.0L/100km in the 2026 sedan on the combined cycle versus 7.4L/100km in the pre-update model – and reduced emissions (139g/km vs 167g/km).

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The tradeoff is slightly less power and torque, down 2kW and 12Nm to 110kW and 180Nm respectively. Peak torque is also delivered at a higher 4500rpm, up from 4000rpm.

The turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and eight-speed automatic transmission of the flagship GT-Line are unchanged.

Both engines meet the Euro 5 emissions standard.

The hatchback body style will be available in all existing variants and, like the old Cerato, you’ll pay the same price regardless of which body style you choose.

It shares the same 2720mm wheelbase as the sedan, but is 270mm shorter from stem to stern.

A hatchback body is almost a prerequisite in the mainstream small car segment. The only small cars in Australia not to offer a hatchback body style are the MG 5 and Subaru WRX, though the latter can be had as a wagon.

As yet there’s still no word on the K4 Hybrid for Australia, which has been confirmed for future introduction in Europe. It will almost certainly draw upon the 1.6-litre hybrid system used in the Hyundai i30 Sedan and Kona hybrids, which makes 104kW and 265Nm.

Pricing

Drivetrains and Efficiency

All K4s feature a torsion-beam rear axle apart from the GT-Line, which upgrades to a multi-link independent rear-end.

Dimensions

Servicing and Warranty

The Kia K4 is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

Kia Australia hasn’t yet announced capped-price servicing details for model year 2026.

Safety

The Kia K4 Sedan has dual safety ratings from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2025.

The K4 Hatch has yet to be assessed.

The K4 S without the optional Safety Pack received four stars, while all other K4 Sedans received five stars.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Adaptive cruise control
• ‘FCA 1.5’ autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system
  • Vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection
  • Junction turning assist
• Blind-spot assist
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane Follow Assist (lane centring)
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Multi-collision braking
• Rear occupant alert
• Safe exit warning
• Tyre pressure monitoring
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• Front, front-side, front-centre, and curtain airbags

The K4 S with Safety Pack and up get the upgraded FCA 2 AEB system, which also includes support for junction crossing and oncoming lane change detection.

Sport variants and up receive Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 with Lane Change Assist, a Level 2 autonomous driving system that combines adaptive cruise control and lane centring capabilities.

Standard Equipment

The S comes standard with the following equipment:

• 16-inch alloy wheels in 205/55R16 tyres
• Space-saver spare
• Automatic reflector LED headlights
• Automatic high-beam
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• Electronic parking brake with auto hold
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (wireless, wired)
• Over-the-air software updates
• 6-speaker sound system
• DAB+ digital radio
• Cloth upholstery
• 6-way manually adjustable front seats
• 60:40-split folding rear seats
• Rear centre armrest
• Manual air-conditioning
• Rear air vents
• Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
• Power windows with auto up/down for driver
• 4 x USB-C outlets
• 1 x 12V outlet
• LED interior lighting
• Kia Connect telematics (incl. remote lock control, vehicle status monitoring via app)

The S with Safety Pack adds:

• Dual-zone climate control
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 5.0-inch climate control display

The Sport adds:

• 17-inch alloy wheels in 225/45R17 tyres
• Satellite navigation (incl. 10 years of map updates)

The Sport+ adds:

• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated front seats
• Leatherette upholstery
• Electrochromic rear-view mirror
• Illuminated vanity mirrors
• Additional soft-touch door trim

The GT-Line adds:

• 18-inch alloy wheels in 235/40R18 tyres
• Gloss black grille, mirrors
• Sunroof
• Projector LED headlights
• LED front fog lights
• Wireless phone charger
• Heated steering wheel
• 8-speaker Harman/Kardon sound system
• 3-spoke 2-tone steering wheel
• Paddle shifters
• Alloy pedals
• Ventilated front seats
• 8-way power driver’s seat
  • 2-person memory
  • 2-way lumbar support
• Ambient lighting

Colours

A Medium Grey interior is standard in the S, Sport and Sport+, with the GT-Line cabin finished in Onyx Black with white accents.

Clear White is the standard exterior paint finish, with the following colours available for an extra $600:

• Snow White Pearl
• Steel Grey
• Aurora Black
• Interstellar Grey
• Honeydew
• Wave Blue
• Fiery Red

Honeycomb is offered exclusively for the K4 Hatch, and only in Sport+ and GT-Line trims.

MORE: Explore the Kia K4 showroom