Kia K4 replaces outgoing Cerato

KIA has signed off on its linchpin passenger automotive, the Cerato, changing it after a 21-year reign with an all-new sedan – and later this 12 months, a hatch – underneath the K4 nameplate, beginning at $30,590 plus prices.

The introduction of the K4, which makes use of the Okay preface to observe Kia’s world naming regime, brings a mannequin that sits on a brand new platform, is longer, wider and decrease than the Cerato and boasts a considerable improve in security, however much less so efficiency.

The K4 will go on sale later this month with the hatch anticipated to hitch in the direction of the top of the 12 months.

Kia this week stated the K4 sedan vary might be obtainable in 4 grades: S, Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line.

Pricing begins at $30,590 (plus on-road prices), up $3530 on the automotive it replaces. The GT-Line prices $42,990 +ORC, up $6130.

Energy models are the unchanged 2.0-litre aspirated four-cylinder engine and six-speed torque converter automated for the S and Sport variants.

The GT-Line carries over the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine however energy is now 142kW/264Nm, down from the earlier mannequin’s 150kW/265Nm.

Gasoline consumption averages stay unchanged at 7.4 litres per 100km for the two.0-litre and 6.7L/100km for the turbo.

The GT-Line additionally will get a traditional torque converter automated with eight ratios, changing the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Talking on the launch of the K4 in Melbourne this week, Kia Australia CEO Damien Meredith stated the outgoing Cerato had been “an enormous pillar of Kia’s success in Australia since its introduction in 2004”, the nameplate on account of attain its 200,000th Aussie sale this month.

“We consider the K4 is an ideal match for Australian tastes because the Cerato’s successor, full with the proper styling, know-how, security and driving traits to be aggressive on this ever-changing panorama,” he stated.

Kia presents the K4 with an upgraded security stock.

Throughout all grades, it has an elevated concentrate on driver security, with customary vary fitment of ahead collision-avoidance help (FCA), ‘Good’ cruise management (SCC) with ‘cease & go’ performance, lane-keep help (LKA), lane-follow help (LFA), multi-collision braking (MCB), blind-spot collision avoidance help (BCA), driver-attention warning (DAW), clever speed-limit help (ISLA), rear-view monitor (RVM) and high-beam help (HBA).

All K4 variants additionally get a full complement of airbags together with a entrance centre-side airbag.

Kia stated {that a} security pack (not but priced) is obtainable on the S trim, extending consumers the choice of extra gear normally reserved for greater grades.

This consists of an enhanced panoramic show which provides a second 12.3-inch instrument show and devoted 5.0-inch HVAC interface, plus dual-zone local weather management and an expanded AEB suite providing junction turning and crossing and direct/oncoming lane-change detection performance.

Kia Australia’s chief trip and dealing with engineer, Graeme Gambold, stated the K4 was adopted to Australia’s circumstances and has a bespoke suspension and steering arrange.

“We aimed to make it succesful not solely within the city jungle however, additionally refined on an extended drive,” he stated.

“It does an amazing job absorbing bumps round city and controls its physique properly on difficult nation roads, whereas providing first rate suggestions.

“We’re assured the K4 matches its sportier appears out on the street, and Australians will recognize the localised tuning.”

The Sport, Sport+ and GT-Line variations of the K4 even have Kia’s newest freeway driving help (HDA 2), a know-how that features when driving on a freeway or motorway.

Kia stated that HDA builds on adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go functionality, combining with lane-following help (LFA) to maintain K4 centred within the lane even when driving by a curve, while HDA 2 provides lane-change help (LCA), permitting the K4 to autonomously change lanes when the required circumstances are met.

Kia Australia stated it’s at the moment working with ANCAP because it completes its impartial crash testing evaluation, with an announcement and ranking sooner or later.

The entry-level S has a digital driver cluster with a 4.0-inch multi-function LCD show (upgraded with the security pack).

It additionally has Kia Join, a linked automotive service which offers buyer advantages in security, safety, comfort, connectivity, and LIVE companies by utilizing telematics methods to switch real-time information, comparable to climate and site visitors info.

As well as, it has ‘over the air’ (OTA) software program updates, which brings the newest maps, interfaces and software program enhancements with out prospects having to go to a service centre.

Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wi-fi Android Auto are customary throughout the Kia K4 line-up, whereas the GT-Line takes issues up a notch with fitment of a Qi wi-fi charging pad and ambient temper lighting as customary.

Kia stated that it needed the K4 to be approachable and easy-to-use “which is why the small automotive continues with a financial institution of hard-wired buttons and switchgear beneath the aforementioned screens on the dashboard centre fascia”.

Externally, the K4 has Kia’s newest ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, together with vertical entrance headlamps and daytime working mild (DRL) components positioned on the outer edges to intensify the automotive’s extensive stance.

It has flush second-row door handles built-in into the automotive’s C-pillar, and black wheel-arch cladding and wheel sizes ranging between 16-inch (S), 17-inch (Sport and Sport+) and 18-inch (GT-Line).

Dimensionally, the K4 measures 4710mm lengthy, 1850mm extensive and 1425mm excessive, and rides on a 2720mm wheelbase. Compared to the Cerato sedan, these are 200mm longer and the wheelbase is up 20mm. The K4 sedan weighs between 10kg and 38kg in contrast with the Cerato.

Kia stated that inside these dimensions convert to roomier inside proportions, particularly with respect to rear seat area, the place rear legroom has grown by 56mm. Entrance-row occupants additionally profit from elevated head and shoulder room proportions.

Moreover, the K4 boasts a rise in boot area over its rapid predecessor, with sedan variants providing a 508-litre format. The Cerato sedan had 502 litres.

S and Sport variants have fabric seats, whereas Sport+ and GT-Line get synthetic leather-based.

GT-Line tasks a sportier picture, with embossed GT-Line particulars on seats, two-tone seats, and textured console crash pad. It additionally has a sliding-type sunroof.

The K4 embraces Kia’s ongoing efforts in sustainability, incorporating the usage of the model’s 10 ‘must-have’ sustainability gadgets, together with PP and Bio PE plastic, Submit Shopper Materials (PCM), Bio PU Leather-based, Bio PU foam, Bio Paint, BTX-free Paint, Recycled PET Yarns, and Recycled PET Felt.

The K4 arrives in Australia with a alternative of eight exterior colors. New to the color palette are Interstellar Gray, Fiery Crimson, Wave Blue, and Honeydew.

They be a part of the acquainted hues of Clear White, Snow White Pearl, Metal Grey and Aurora Pearl Black ($600 for Premium Paint applies to all however Clear White).

2025 Kia K4 pricing*: