Kia K4 News

Kia has revealed a hybrid version Kia K4 hatch to complement the strong-selling petrol variants remains part of the brand's plans in Australia. The K4 hybrid appears to still be on target for a launch Down Under this year, but timing has not been confirmed, according to local Product Planning Manager Raymond Pok. “We launched with just the petrol variants and we’re pretty keen to get a hybrid as quickly as we can,” Pok told CarsGuide.  “It’s still in the plans, but timing is to be confirmed.” The K4 is a competitive seller in the small car segment, only trailing the Toyota Corolla. It has amassed more sales in 2026 than the hugely popular Hyundai i30 and Mazda3, turning around a deficit to those rivals last year. Currently the K4 is only available with petrol engines.Most of the range comes with a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre unit, with top-spec GT-line models getting a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine.  The hybrid starts from $32,090 (before on-road costs) and comes in hatch or sedan body shapes.Expect the hybrid K4 to have a slight bump on price compared to the petrol version when it finally gets to Australia. There are no confirmed details yet on what the hybrid set-up will look like, but there is a good chance it will be a version of the 1.6-litre turbo-petrol electric motor unit found in other Kia hybrid cars and the mechanically similar Hyundai i30 sedan.This means it's in line for a 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with an electric motor, which combines for 104kW and 265Nm. Fuel use in the similar Hyundai i30 sedan is just 3.9L/100km. Kia Australia Chief Executive Officer Damien Meredith revealed 30 per cent of all the brand’s sales at the moment are coming from hybrid models. The K4’s petrol-only lineup could pose problems down the line, with the brand conscious of potential fines leveled at the maker because of the New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) . “You just have to look at the penalties for NVES on a petrol vehicle versus a hybrid vehicle,” General Manager Marketing for Kia Australia Dean Norbiato said. “For us to be a sustainable OEM in this market, hybrid obviously makes sense from that standpoint.”

Sales of petrol-powered cars are declining in the Australian new vehicle market and the popularity of electric propulsion is on a fuel price-driven tear, but there are some significant models bucking the EV transition trend.According to data from industry statistician VFacts and the Electric Vehicle Council, year-on-year sales of pure-electric vehicles were up 92.1 per cent at the end of the first quarter (34,382 vs 17,901 units) with EV uptake rising by 88.9 per cent in March compared to the same month last year (15,839 vs 8385 units).At the same time, sales of petrol-powered vehicles have decreased by 17.8 per cent YTD (101,147 vs 123,132) and 20.1 per cent for the month of March (34,694 vs 43,784).And it’s worth noting hybrid sales are in line with 2025 so far this year (46,952 vs 47,014), which may be explained by a supply shortage in the first quarter for Toyota’s top-selling RAV4. Plug-in hybrids are up 40.2 per cent (13,715 vs 19,230).But despite oil supply shortages caused by the current conflict in Iran sending the price of petrol through the roof, several conventionally-powered models have seen sales grow strongly so far this year.  Kia’s compact K4 has clearly built a strong following with the sedan arriving here early in 2025 and the hatch version joining it late in the year.From a modest launch base year-on-year sales are up no less than 240.8 per cent (2771 vs 813 units), the sleek 1.6- and 2.0-litre five-seater now standing as the Korean brand’s third-best seller so far in 2026.And Kia’s Seltos small SUV hit a purple patch in March with sales up 13.8 per cent compared to the same month in 2025 (849 vs 746).Mazda’s evergreen CX-5 medium SUV is up 12 per cent YTD (6247 vs 5538), likely winning over Toyota RAV4 prospects unwilling to wait the three to six months it currently takes to put the previous category-leader on your driveway.The CX-5 (6247 units) is now in a mid-size SUV cage fight with the Mitsubishi Outlander (6363 units) for category leadership.On the subject of Mazda, the long-serving fourth-generation version of the Japanese maker’s iconic MX-5 sports car has jumped 34.2 per cent so far this year (196 vs 146) with 90 sold in the month of March compared to just 34 last year (+164.7 per cent). And thumbing your nose at EVs via a roofless petrol-powered car must be a theme because the Mini Convertible is up 202 per cent YTD (103 vs 34 units).Then, despite Porsche taking a hit in sales overall so far in 2026, the latest iteration of its celebrated 911 is up a healthy 182.8 per cent (345 vs 122) YTD. What fuel price increase?

The recently-launched Kia K4 hatchback has just been recalled in Australia due to a seat belt fault, according to a notice from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts.It concerns 4817 units in the 2025 and 2026 model years. “The rear centre seat belt anchor buckle may have been incorrectly assembled,” the notice reads."As a result, the seat belt may not properly latch or operate as intended.“In the event of an accident, if the seat belt does not properly latch or operate as intended, it will increase the risk of injury or death to vehicle occupants.”A spokesperson for Kia Australia said there have been no reported incidents of the fault occurring in Australia yet. Owners of affected K4 models will be contacted by the brand and asked to make an appointment with a Kia dealer to have the rear middle set belt anchor buckle inspected, and replaced if needed, free of charge. The K4 was launched in Australia late last year and is available in hatch or sedan body shapes as a petrol-only model.It has made a solid impression in the market in its first few months and outsold the Hyundai i30 and Mazda 3 so far in 2026

Fuel prices in Australia are soaring, meaning fuel efficiency in vehicles is a more important consideration than ever. Hybrid cars offer the potential for superior fuel efficiency compared to internal combustion power without the big price premium if fully electric or plug-in hybrid options. This makes them an increasingly attractive option for buyers given the current global climate. Hybrid sales are already booming in Australia, but will increases in fuel prices accelerate the shift away from pure internal combustion cars? NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said that while hybrid sales are increasing, an even swifter transition is less than clear. “If you’re driving a standard vehicle with a 55-litre tank, compared to what we were paying before the war began to now, it’s a $45 increase on one tank of petrol. That applies regardless of whether it’s hybrid or petrol,” Khoury said. “Historically speaking, looking at what happens after an oil shock, it certainly opens up their consideration. “No doubt that if this crisis continues and these prices hang around for weeks or months, Australians will look at those alternatives more seriously.” Below is a comparison between popular petrol and hybrid choices in each segment to see how they stack up in a changing fuel context. Fuel cost has been calculated using current data from the New South Wales’ government’s average fuel price for unleaded 95 petrol and diesel. Toyota’s Corolla hybrid hatch offers superior fuel efficiency and driving range compared to the Kia K4 petrol model. The Corolla is also cheaper to fill up with fuel thanks to its smaller tank and offers a substantially bigger driving range. The Kia Seltos is a petrol-only variant, but despite its bigger fuel tank, it has less driving range than the Toyota Corolla Cross, courtesy of the hybrid powertrain. The bigger fuel tank means the Seltos is also more expensive to fill up. The mid-size CX-5 has a non-turbo charged petrol engine, which sees it offer an impressive estimated driving range of more than 800km, but once again the Toyota competitor’s fuel efficiency wins out in the RAV4 hybrid. The Toyota Kluger continues the Japanese juggernaut’s fuel efficient theme, with a hybrid set-up offering a driving range of more than 1122km, which is significantly more than the MQ QS, despite both cars costing a similar amount to fill up at the bowser. Utes are some of the worst affected by the fuel price increase as many of them are powered using diesel engines, with diesel fuel rising more than petrol. It has now risen to well beyond the $2.60 mark per litre. The BYD Shark’s plug-in hybrid set-up uses petrol, which makes it an affordable option, given the price of diesel. It should be noted that the Shark 6’s fuel efficiency is significantly reduced when the battery is not charged. It’s a similar story for the GWM Cannon Alpha, which should be noted is no longer on sale, but remains one of limited plug-less hybrid utes in Australia. 

Kia has unveiled a wagon version of one of its newer small cars to provide a more spacious option.If a hatchback is too small, the 2026 Kia K4 Sportswagon is here as a sleek new long-roof, with the stretched hatchback now revealed globally.Two powertrains (one with a manual gearbox!) and a range of features from the other bodystyles appear in the European specifications for the new baby wagon, but there are some clues as to whether the Sportswagon is likely to come to Australia.The small car is now 4695mm long in its new form, and there’s 166 litres more storage space in the rear (now up to 406L), though plenty is shared with the hatch and sedan versions.In Europe, a turbo 1.0-litre petrol engine will be available paired with a six-speed manual - unlikely to launch here given a lack of love for three-pedal driving in Oz - while a more powerful 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine is paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, the same as available in the hatch or sedan GT-Line in Australia.Kia says a hybrid variant is also on the way, which could mean the 2.0-litre four with a CVT auto available on lower grades in Australia is unlikely to feature in the EU.“With the K4 Sportswagon, we are extending the appeal of the K4 to customers who value space and versatility as much as they are interested in design and technology,” said Sjoerd Knipping, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Europe.Other elements confirmed for the K4 Sportswagon are unsurprisingly similar to existing body styles with a trio of screens comprising a 12.3-inch driver display, a 5.3-inch climate display, and a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen dominating the cabin.There’s no word on local availability yet, but given the limited appeal of wagons for most Aussie car-buyers, the chances seem relatively slim.Kia only recently introduced the K4 hatchback to Australia in November 2025, bolstering the model range that was previously only available in sedan variants.For those, the Kia K4 starts from $32,090, before on-roads, regardless of body style.

A new budget hatch is set to join the Aussie new car market as Kia has announced pricing and specifications for its updated K4. The K4 now comes as a hatch or sedan, starting from $32,090, before on-road costs, in either form. It keeps its two engine choices, both front-wheel drive, which have been tweaked according to Kia. The 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine comes in the first four grades in the line-up and produces 110kW and 180Nm, with a continuously variable automatic transmission. The range-topping GT-Line, gets a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine, pumping out 142kW and 265Nm with an eight-speed auto. Its price has been bumped up slightly across the range, as the base model S grade is now $2000 more than the previous sedan-only variant, which launched at the start of 2025.The K4 has been embroiled in a tight fight in the small car category, facing tough competition from the Toyota Corolla, the category’s best-seller, which has hit nearly 16,000 sales so far this year.The K4 also trails Hyundai’s i30 and the Mazda 3 which, with nearly 20,000 sales in 2025, combine for almost 40 per cent of the segment, while the K4 has managed a little over 5000 units.  An electric version of the K4 sedan, the EV4 will launch in January 2026, with the hatch variant scheduled for the second half of next year. 16-inch alloy wheelsCloth trim seatsTwo-spoke steering wheelFour-inch driver displayMetal paint finish door handlesFour cupholdersApple CarPlay and Android AutoSix-speaker sound systemSatellite navigationSport grade features:17-inch alloy wheels12.3-inch multimedia screen12.3-inch digital driver displayDual-zone climate controlAuto window defog Sport+ grade features:Synthetic leather seatsHeated front seatsSilver door handlesIlluminated glove boxSolar glass windscreenRain-sensing wipers GT-line features:18-inch alloy wheelsCombined rear lightsFront fog lightsSynthetic leather seats with GT-Line stylingMemory driver seatGloss black window and wheel arch surroundsGloss black grilleGloss black door mirrorsSunroofThree-spoke two-tone steering wheelHeated steering wheelPaddle shiftersAmbient lightingPremium eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound systemVentilated front seatsPowered seatsThe K4 sedan was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, with the optional ‘Safety Pack’ ($2100). Without the Safety Pack, it received a four-star rating. The K4 hatch has not been assessed by ANCAP.Front and rear parking sensorsReversing cameraAuto emergency breakingBlind spot detectionLane keep assistLane follow assistS grade with Safety Pack features:Crossing and direct oncoming lane change detectionSport features:Lane change assistSport+ features:Auto dimming rear view mirrorThe car gets a seven-year, unlimited km warranty. 

Australia’s cheapest car just got more expensive.

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has published ratings for several new cars after crash testing new SUVs, a ute and a sedan.

Kia has reiterated its focus on affordability in Australia, with the imminent K4 five-door hatchback to slot alongside the K4 sedan released earlier this year to help it fight off cut-price alternatives from China.Sourced from Mexico but designed for global markets including Europe, the Cerato hatch replacement may even start from under $30,000 (all prices are before on-road costs), matching the Hyundai i30 Sedan (from $29,000).But, even if the K4 Hatch goes slightly over that price, it would likely still undercut the best-selling Toyota Corolla Ascent Sport Hybrid (from $32,110), as well as the Mazda 3 Pure (from $31,310) and Hyundai i30 N-Line (from $36,000) hatchback equivalents.With the Picanto city car from $18,690 currently Australia’s cheapest new vehicle, as well as the Stonic S small crossover from $25,660, K4 Sedan from $30,590 and Seltos S from $30,750, the K4 Hatch should substantially boost Kia’s fortunes at the bottom end of the new-car market.Feeding into consumer preference for hatchbacks over sedans in the small car segment, the sharply-styled K4 five-door looks – and is – shorter, yet has a larger (and more practical) cargo area, at 530 litres versus the four-door’s 508L.Plus, as with many other models, the newcomer has undergone an Australian-road tuning program run by engineering specialist, Graeme Gambold, giving it a distinct advantage against many other small-car alternatives.According to Kia Australia product planning manager, Roland Rivero, Kia is committed to providing accessible small cars that Australian buyers want, especially as competitors abandon them for crossovers and SUVs.“Picanto not going anywhere anytime soon, and it remains our entry into the Kia brand. And we're pretty happy with what Picanto has done for us, and that's going to be around for a long, long time yet,” he told CarsGuide.“And as for K4 is not going anywhere either, and K4 is going to have a full life, and we've committed to the Mexican factory to do our respective share. So far so good.”While the sedan version has tripled the preceding Cerato hatch and sedan’s January to July sales this year compared to the same period last year with 3322 registrations, it will be the hatch that presents the most promising volume opportunity in Australia.“Obviously, we can't wait for the hatchback to come along,” Rivero admits. Because that's what the market appetite is for. What was the split that we had with Cerato hatch to sedan? I think it was, like, 65 per cent hatch, versus 35 per cent sedan… (Australia) is a hatch market.”Of course, it isn’t just benevolence driving Kia’s move to offer greater small-car choice, since it seeks to better-offset their smaller carbon footprint against the larger, thirstier and dirtier SUVs (as well as the Tasman ute), reducing the likelihood of coming New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) penalties.That’s why the K4 Hatch will switch to an Atkinson Cycle 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine – as found in the current Seltos as well as the related i30 Sedan 2.0P – that is more efficient and emits, according to Rivero, some 30 per cent fewer emissions than the regular, 112kW/192Nm version found in the K4 Sedan. The trade-off is a slight loss of power and torque, at 110kW and 180Nm respectively.Given the Hatch is poised to be the K4 volume seller, that should help Kia’s bottom line in more ways than one.

If you are keen on buying a Kia Cerato, you’d better get your skates on because the ageing small hatch and sedan range is just weeks from selling out.Kia has just replaced the long-running Cerato with the new K4, adopting a new global nameplate for its small passenger car range.That model is rolling into dealerships right now and instead of being produced in Korea like the Cerarto, and most of Kia’s other models, the K4 hails from the carmaker’s Mexican facility.Kia Australia said K4s are being shipped from Mexico to South Korea then onto Australia. That trip takes approximately a month.The K4 ushers in a new design inside and out, an updated platform, tweaked ride and handling, fresh multimedia and safety tech and an uptick in standard gear over the Cerato. But it also comes with a price increase of between $3530 and $6130 compared with equivalent Cerato grades.As the K4 starts to enter showrooms, Kia Australia Chief Operating Officer Dennis Piccoli said the Korean carmaker has “about six weeks worth” of Cerato stock remaining in Australia.“We expect to have a full suite of cars in market by February 1, across the country, not withstanding the issues that have occurred with logistics across the eastern seaboard, particularly Brisbane and Sydney.”He’s referring to strikes at the docks that have impacted deliveries of vehicles from multiple brands.The Kia website is showing drive-away deals on the outgoing Cerato S of $28,790, or the GT from $39,290.Piccoli says the new K4 small car probably won’t reach the sales highs of its Cerato predecessor, at least for this year.The ageing Cerato clocked up an impressive 15,502 sales in 2024, its final full year of sales. Piccoli said, given only the K4 sedan is on sale now with the hatch arriving later in 2025, the new model will have a “slower start”.“But then when we come through with the hatch in quarter four, we think that we will probably round out around 9000 cars - eight to 9000 cars.”As well as the hatch, expect a hybrid version to land soon — although Kia Australia refused to confirm it just yet — as the brand grapples with the NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standards) legislation.The K4 is yet to be tested by ANCAP for crash safety, but Kia Australia’s General Manager of Product Planning Roland Rivero said he is hopeful of a maximum five-star rating, “but the goal, or the target, is four/five.”That rating should be revealed in the next two months. There is some concern, however, given the K4’s mechanical cousin — the Hyundai i30 Sedan — only achieved a three-star rating late last year. It lost marks in the assessment areas of Vulnerable Road User Protection and Safety Assist assessment areas.With the new K4, the GT-Line replaces the Cerato GT hot hatch and sedan as the range flagship, but the GT-Line lacks the performance bite of the GT.“The GT versus GT-Line is really a global branding position, and in effect, with the likes of EV6 GT and even Stinger GT, before, to earn the GT badge required some serious performance,” explained Rivero.He said the GT-Line, however, was benchmarked for ride and handling against impressive rivals including the Honda Civic hybrid and the Volkswagen Golf R-Line.And if you are hanging out for a K4 performance grade, don’t hold your breath.“There's no plans for a GT at this stage,” Rivero confirmed.