The new Kia K4 debuted in two bodies and with two types of rear suspension

Kia, part of the Hyundai Motor Group, held the world premiere of the new generation K4 compact sedan at the New York Auto Show — it was shown live, and the hatchback has only been announced with a few pictures, it has its own premiere ahead.

The design of the new generation Kia K4 sedan was declassified last week, and today at the premiere it turned out that there will also be a Kia K4 hatchback (shown at the end of the note) — it looks a little more harmonious than the sedan, the stern of which network commentators have already called “over-sophisticated” because for complex plastics and several clumsy L-shaped lights.

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The third volume in the sedan's profile is barely visible, but Kia claims that this is a sedan, that is, the trunk lid is separated from the rear window. In this case, the four-door Kia K4 can be called a fastback (this is a special case of a sedan with a sloping rear and without a clearly defined third volume). The outer rear door handles are camouflaged as side C-pillars, which gives the Kia K4 sedan a coupe-like appearance. The front design of the GT-Line version is more aggressive than that of the base sedan. The GT-Line version is easily identified by the lower protrusions on the grille between the headlights (in the “base” this grille is straight) and the large side nostrils of the front bumper.

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The USA, where the Kia K4 premiered, will be the main market for the South Korean new product, but in general this is a global model; it will also appear in other countries and continents. The predecessor of the new Kia K4 is called by three names depending on the market — Cerato, Forte and K3, while the K3 name was last year given to the successor of the Rio model, and the K4 name was used last decade by a sedan made specifically for the Chinese market.< br />

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The overall length of the new generation Kia K4 sedan is 4709 mm, width is 1849 mm, other dimensions have not yet been disclosed. By American standards, the Kia K4 belongs to the compact class; in Russia and Europe it can easily be called mid-size, especially since Kia promises class-leading legroom and headroom in the second row. The trunk volume is small — only 413 liters, the outgoing Kia Cerato sedan for the American market has 433 liters./6 2/6 3/6 4/6 5/6 6/6

By modern standards, the Kia K5 interior looks somewhat conservative due to the abundance of physical buttons — even quick access to the main sections of the multimedia system and basic climate settings are implemented through physical keys under the touch screen. Actually, there are no other sensors in the cabin. The automatic transmission selector is a traditional massive lever on the central tunnel with fixed positions. In general, from an ergonomic point of view, the interior is very pleasant and correct. The colorful display on the front panel combines 12.3-inch instrument and multimedia screens, and between them is a 5-inch display that controls the microclimate. The base version has a two-spoke steering wheel, while the GT-Line version has a three-spoke steering wheel.

The base engine for the Kia K4 in the USA is a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated petrol engine (149 hp, 179 Nm) paired with a CVT. A more expensive alternative is a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engine (193 hp, 264 Nm) paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Drive is front-wheel drive only. The default rear suspension is semi-independent, with a transverse torsion beam; the GT-Line version with any engine has an independent multi-link rear suspension.

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Already in the basic equipment, the Kia K4 is generously equipped with passive and active safety systems: there are 8 airbags (including side airbags for rear passengers) and 11 different electronic driver assistants (including adaptive cruise control), and in the top-end configuration there are already 29 assistants. For an extra charge a powerful Harman Kardon audio system, ventilated front seats and a large sunroof are offered.

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The Kia K4 will go on sale in the North American market in the second half of this year, prices have not yet been announced. The Kia K4 hatchback will also reach American customers, but later.