DecodedCars2026 Kia K4
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2026 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 4dr Sedan, Hatch
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 33 combined · 29 city / 39 hwy
- Length
- 174.4–185.4 in
- Curb weight
- 2,954–3,014 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 11 similar 2026 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2026 Kia K4 is a midsize car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl and 1.6L 4-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 185 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 107-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,954 lb (4dr Sedan).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 33 MPG combined (29 city / 39 highway), 6% better than the 2026 midsize car average of 31.2 MPG, for an estimated $2,050 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.
What changed for 2026
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2025 K4 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2025; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2025 K4 →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Safety & driver-assist features
Built in: Pesqueria, Nuevo Leon
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 3 2026 K4 configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr Sedan | 185.4 in | 72.8 in | 55.9 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 62.6 in | 2,954 lb | 61/39 |
| Hatch | 174.4 in | 72.8 in | 55.9 in | 107.1 in | 62.2 / 62.6 in | 3,014 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K4 4DR w/ DMS | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 33 | +6% | $2,050 | 269 |
| K4 without DMS | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 / 39 / 33 | +6% | $2,050 | 267 |
| K4 Hatchback | 2.0L 4-cyl | Automatic (AV-S1) | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 34 / 30 | +16% | $2,250 | 289 |
| K4 | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 28 | -10% | $2,400 | 314 |
| K4 Hatchback | 1.6L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | Front-Wheel Drive | 26 / 33 / 28 | +8% | $2,400 | 314 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2026 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2026 Kia K4.
Similar 2026 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Kia K4 (this car) | 33 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Civic | 49 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Toyota Camry | 51 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2026 Toyota Prius | 57 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2026 Honda Prelude | 44 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2026 Hyundai Elantra | 54 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
Recalls (1)
Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Anchorage · Mar 6, 2026
NHTSA campaign 26V135000 · 14,870 vehicles
- Problem
- Kia America, Inc (Kia) is recalling certain 2027 Kia Telluride and 2026 Kia K4 vehicles. The rear center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2026 K4 and the third-row center seat belt anchor buckle in the 2027 Telluride may not latch properly.
- Risk
- A seat belt buckle that is not latched properly can fail to restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the anchor buckle assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 5, 2026. Owners may contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC364. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning March 20, 2026.
Not every 2026 Kia K4 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Other K4 years
Compare all years →Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Kia. How we calculate this →