Kia K4 Station Wagon: Made in Mexico but Targeting European Classics
Kia has unveiled the third and likely most practical member of the K4 family, a station wagon version through which the South Korean automaker plans to retire the current Ceed Sportswagon in the European market. Produced at their plant in Mexico, this five door model is designed for those who find a sedan too restrictive and a hatchback too small. While the front of the car faithfully repeats the futuristic style of its siblings, the rear features a completely new architecture with uniquely designed pillars and a custom built tailgate.
With a length of nearly 4.7 meters, the new K4 wagon sits right in the middle of the family segment, offering a solid 2720 millimeter wheelbase. Regarding cargo space, the newcomer offers a capacity of 604 liters, which is significantly more than the hatchback yet still falls slightly short of the numerical golden standards of Europe such as the Volkswagen Golf and the Škoda Octavia. Nevertheless, Kia is betting on comfort and technology by equipping the tailgate with a contactless sensor and offering an unusually wide expanse of screens in the cabin.
The interior greets the driver with a familiar digital landscape consisting of two 12.3 inch screens for the instrument cluster and entertainment, with a 5 inch screen for climate control squeezed between them. Kia did not skimp on optional extras, offering both heating and ventilation for the front seats and a Harman Kardon sound system for audiophiles. It seems quite clear that the Korean engineers attempted to create an environment that feels considerably more expensive than the vehicle's actual price tag would likely suggest.
Under the hood, the K4 begins its journey with traditional gasoline engines, where the selection starts with a 115 horsepower one liter turbocharged three cylinder engine. For those who prefer an automatic transmission, a mild hybrid solution is offered, while the more powerful 1.6 liter turbo units develop up to 180 horsepower. A full hybrid version is expected in the future, which should further strengthen the K4’s position in light of Europe's tightening emission standards. It appears that Kia is ready to give the Old World a worthy battle, bringing a fair dose of technological confidence along from Mexico.
