Podcast Episode Details

Kia K4 Sedan Gets a Slight Price Bump, Still One of the Cheapest in America

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The K4’s Place in the Market

The Kia K4 enters the 2026 model year with a modest price bump, now starting at $22,190 MSRP – an increase of just $200 over the previous year. Still, the K4 remains among the most affordable new cars available in the U.S. market, a position that stands out even more as the roughly $20,000 Nissan Versa is getting axed after the 2025 model year.

In this lower-cost space, the K4 overlaps with a handful of budget-friendly alternatives, including the Hyundai Venue and Chevrolet Trax, which start at $20,550 and $21,700, respectively. Within the compact sedan segment specifically, the Toyota Corolla carries a base price of $22,725, while the Honda Civic opens at a noticeably higher $24,595.

What's New For 2026

For 2026, Kia carries over the same trim structure for the K4, consisting of the LX, LXS, EX, GT-Line, and GT-Line Turbo, though some pricing adjustments vary. The mid-range K4 EX sees the largest increase at $400, while the flagship GT-Line Turbo, powered exclusively by a 190-horsepower 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine, only receives a $200 hike.

All other K4 trims are equipped with a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated inline-four engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT), the brand's in-house CVT, whereas the GT-Line Turbo is fitted with a more traditional 8-speed automatic transmission.

Updates for the 2026 model year are relatively limited. SynTex upholstery is now standard on the EX and GT-Line trims, with the EX also gaining heated front seats and a rear folding armrest. Certain GT-Line packages further add a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster running Kia’s ccNC interface, along with a heated steering wheel.

Pricing Overview

Below is the full list of MSRP pricing for the 2026 Kia K4:

In addition to the sedan, the all-new K4 Hatchback is also slated for sale in the U.S. as a 2026 model, albeit

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Published on 4 days, 1 hour ago