There might still be families in some corner of the world who aren't fond of SUVs. Kia has introduced the station wagon version of the K4 to attract these families to the brand. The new Kia K4 Sportswagon will initially be sold only in Europe, one of the last strongholds where this body style still sees robust demand.
What does the Kia K4 Sportswagon offer in terms of features?
The K4 Sportswagon retains familiar design lines from other K4 versions but offers a larger body with a length of 4,695 mm. This measurement means it is 265 mm longer than the hatchback version. While the wheelbase remains unchanged at 2,720 mm, its long roof promises more practical use.
It's noteworthy that Kia is now abandoning the fake exhaust tips often criticized in its GT-Line gasoline models. The car's design might not appeal to everyone, but the addition of a new station wagon option for European users is significant. Inside, there are no surprises; two 12.3-inch screens and a separate 5.3-inch screen for climate controls maintain the familiar K4 cockpit.
Suitable for daily use
The Kia K4 Sportswagon offers a luggage capacity of 604 liters with the rear seats in an upright position. This is 166 liters more than the hatchback version. When the rear seats are folded down, the loading area expands to 1,439 liters. However, if a mild-hybrid engine is chosen, the luggage capacity decreases slightly due to additional equipment. In this case, the capacity starts at 482 liters and reaches 1,317 liters when the seats are folded.
Despite its large trunk, the K4 Sportswagon falls short of the Volkswagen Golf Variant and the class-leading Skoda Octavia Combi in this regard. In fact, the outgoing Ceed Sportswagon offered a slightly larger trunk on paper. Nevertheless, it is stated that this difference will hardly be felt in daily use. Kia offers an electric tailgate as standard on the Sportswagon, a feature not found in the hatchback.
The entry-level K4 Sportswagon is powered by a 1.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. This engine, producing 113 horsepower, is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission. A mild-hybrid version of the same engine can be optionally paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
For those seeking a more powerful option, a 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder engine is available. This engine comes with two different power outputs: 148 horsepower and 177 horsepower, and is coupled with an automatic transmission. For maximum efficiency, a full-hybrid version is planned to go on sale in Europe later in the year.
Regardless of the engine option, all Kia K4 Sportswagon versions will be produced at the brand's factory in Mexico.
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