Introduction Kia K4 Sportwagon only comes as combustion engine and mild hybrid

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The end of the station wagon has been predicted many times, but so far the form, which is in high demand almost exclusively in Western Europe, still exists. For Kia, it was therefore clear that there would be a station wagon again in the compact class for the Ceed successor K4. The K4 Sportswagon has now been presented, but it is actually no longer compact.

Mild hybrid with drawbacks

Compared to its predecessor, the K4 Sportswagon gains nine centimeters to 4.7 m. Its wheelbase measures 2.72 m. Kia promises ample space, including for the trunk. Without the mild hybrid addition, it is said to be 604 liters. In the sedan, the trunk is 110 liters smaller with the hybrid drive than in the models with only an internal combustion engine: 438 versus 328 liters. If this is similar in the station wagon, it would no longer offer 500 liters as a hybrid. For comparison: A VW Golf Variant is 4.63 m long and offers 611 liters, an Opel Astra Sports Tourer with an internal combustion engine measures 4.64 m and holds 597 liters.

Package policy

Kia will also offer three equipment lines in the station wagon. There is no price list yet, but the standard scope will likely be based on the sedan. Even the base model includes a heated steering wheel, navigation system, adaptive cruise control, and dual-zone automatic climate control, among other features. A few extras are only available in packages, which are sometimes interdependent, or only for the top version. The sedan is available from 29,990 euros, and the station wagon will likely cost less than 2000 euros more.

Three-cylinder only with basic equipment

Kia is taking a firm line on engines: neither diesel nor plug-in hybrid are planned; for now, it remains with four gasoline engines. The entry-level model is a one-liter three-cylinder with 85 kW and a six-speed manual transmission. All others get a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The mild hybrid also delivers 85 kW and costs around 2500 euros. Given that fuel consumption in WLTP hardly decreases significantly, the buyer should best consider the surcharge as an increase in comfort due to the automatic transmission. Both three-cylinder engines are only available with the basic equipment.

The 1.6-liter four-cylinder is offered with 110 and 132 kW. The price thus increases by at least another 1300 euros compared to the mild hybrid. Compared to a VW Golf Variant, the expected prices are fairly calculated, especially considering the extensive standard equipment. For continued success, the question is how long customers will still demand internal combustion engines. But Kia has plenty of alternatives in its range, just not as station wagons.

(mfz)