Kia’s K4 Turbo pairs a 190-hp, 195-lb-ft 1.6-liter turbo with an eight-speed torque-converter automatic and recorded 0–60 mph in 7.0 seconds and a quarter-mile in 15.4 seconds, but it feels less energetic than the Forte5 SX turbo predecessor after losing 11 hp and having taller gearing in the first four ratios (first gear almost 8 percent taller).
The K4’s interior features black-and-white SynTex upholstery and the $2,300 Tech package adds ambient lighting, ventilated seats, a heated steering wheel, digital key and dual screens that can stream YouTube when parked, though the screens take time to wake and audio does not resume after shutdown.
In everyday driving the K4 can be sluggish to downshift in Normal mode (Sport sharpens responses), and overall the K4 Turbo won’t match dedicated hot hatches like the Civic Type R, GR Corolla or Volkswagen GTI in outright performance.
Front and rear seats offer ample comfort and storage, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist automated lane-change function still requires a careful interaction between steering input and the hands-on detection system.
This article is based on reporting from MotorTrend.
Read the full article at MotorTrend.
More automotive news: Latest car news