Kia K4 review finds there is still ‘family value’ in Cerato replacement

For those willing to step away from an SUV, the new Kia K4 replaces one of the top bang-for-your-bucks cars and now comes with more technology and style

There are big tyre prints to fill for the Kia K4.

It’s the replacement for the compact Cerato, which has traditionally been one of the biggest sellers for the Korean brand Down Under.

The Cerato was popular for good reason. It was one of the best value products on the market – so good that there is one in our garage.

Larger than before, bordering on Toyota Camry size, for now the K4 is just available as a sedan with a hatch derivative to come.

No frills models can be in your driveway for $32,990 drive-away, although the best value comes once you step further up the specifications tree.

Our family tested the range-topping GT-Line, which comes with all the fruit and a turbocharged petrol engine for $46,990 on the road.

What do you get?

Certainly the most aggressive looking of the K4 bunch, the GT-Line has a low-slung stance sitting on low profile 18-inch alloys, along with exclusive front and rear bumpers and a black grille.

Inside, there are heated and cooled front seats trimmed in faux leather with a GT stamp below the headrests, alloy pedals, eight-speaker Harman/Kardon stereo, sunroof and the now quintessential Kia dash featuring twin digital 12.3-inch displays (one for the driver and the other for infotainment) linked by a 5-inch aircon readout.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range along with USB-C ports front and back, while the GT-Line also picks up a wireless phone charging pad.

Like the big EV9, the K4 has over the air tech updates, so the latest satnav maps, interfaces and software enhancements can be done without visiting a dealer.

White is the only no-cost colour option, with grey, red, blue, pastel green, black and a pearl white adding $600.

Turbo models require servicing annually or every 10,000km, whereby naturally aspirated models lengthen to 15,000km.Capped price servicing is available with the total cost of $3842 for seven maintenance visits – that’s an average of about $550 and about $15 more expensive per service than the non-turbo models.

Overall servicing costs are typically more expensive with Kia than some rivals, with the Toyota Camry hybrid costing on average $343 for seven services. But Kia does have a long list of inclusions, so it’s worth checking the fine print.

Kia’s seven-year warranty was one of the pivotal reasons its cars became popular in Australia. Other brands like Nissan and Mitsubishi have now pushed to 10 years (with some servicing caveats), but five remains the most popular minimum.

The dash of Kia’s K4 GT-Line is dominated by twin digital 12.3-inch displays (one for the driver and the other for infotainment) connected by a 5-inch aircon readout.

How was the drive?

European quality resonates from the K4 ride.

Like all Kias, the K4 underwent Australian testing and analysis. Suspension changes are then made at the factory to better suit local conditions.

The GT-Line has a fancier multi-link suspension set-up at the rear compared to the other K4s and while the overall performance felt firm on occasions, it was surprisingly nimble in the bends and remained composed during quick changes in direction.

Despite having a turbocharged four-cylinder under the bonnet, the GT-Line isn’t raucous or setting new performance benchmarks. There is a nice exhaust tune, but it’s more a grand tourer with a focus on comfort and efficiency – our test saw average fuel consumption of 7.7L/100km, which is one litre more than the official figure from Kia.

The eight-speed automatic gearbox replaces the seven-speed found in the Cerato GT, which shifts well and doesn’t have the hesitation of the old dual-clutch box.

The Kia K4 GT-Line has boot space of 460L, but the opening is small.

Would you buy one?

Kel: Our Cerato Sport+ has been a brilliant car, I love it for the ease of operation and features for the price tag. Technology takes a hefty step forward in the K4 and I felt like the ride quality was comparable to the European big guns. But the sedan probably isn’t my style, so I’d wait for the hatch or opt for the Sportage SUV.

Grant: Prices have risen with the K4, which does dilute the bang-for-buck factor. To obtain the Cerato equivalent we’d be looking at an extra investment of about $7000. All facets have moved forward, especially the ride improvements which paves the way for a go-fast version. Collectively the tech advances, seven-year warranty and the strong specification list keep the K4 in Australia’s best value list.

Originally published as Kia K4 review finds there is still ‘family value’ in Cerato replacement