Kia K4

One plant, two different cars. Every example leaves Kia's plant in Mexico, and that is the only thing they share. In North America the main variant is a conventional four-door saloon, later joined by a hatchback. In Europe a saloon is not offered at all, because demand for small three-box cars is weak — here the model sells as a hatchback and as the K4 Sportswagon, an estate made specifically for Europe. Almost everything we hold is a saloon.

The inversion on the 1.6 turbo is rare and deserves attention. The American 1.6 T-GDi makes 190 hp and runs a conventional eight-speed torque-converter automatic. The same engine in Europe makes at most 180 and is offered only with a seven-speed dual-clutch. So the American car is both more powerful and has the more durable gearbox. Usually it is the other way round.

The base engines diverge completely too. In America the base is the 2.0 Smartstream naturally aspirated with 147 hp and an IVT — mechanically simple, a little slow for the sporting look, but perfect for a cheap LPG conversion. It is also the one we hold most of. In Europe the base is the 1.0 T-GDi three-cylinder turbo with 115 hp, with a manual or with a 48-volt mild hybrid and a DCT — economical, but weak on the motorway.

The design comes from the Stinger and that is not an accident — people often call it the baby Stinger, for the sharp boomerang LED lights and the curved digital cockpit. The American trims are LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line and GT-Line Turbo, with GT-Line the most wanted for its 18-inch wheels and sportier front bumper. In Europe the range is Pure, GT-Line and GT-Line S, and the base Pure carries considerably more digital safety assistance, because European law requires it.

The model is very new — the successor to the Forte — and our cars are from 2024 onwards. The used market is only now forming, which means prices have not settled and the gap between an American import and a dealer car with a warranty is wider than it will be in a few years.