How many new wagons with a manual gearbox can you think of? Zero is the only right answer, at least in the United States. When even Volvo has ditched wagons, it’s obvious the body style is on a downward trajectory, and adding a manual shifter in an era where automatics dominate is even more unexpected. But this is exactly the sort of car Kia has just revealed—the new K4 Sportswagon is a compact wagon that can be had with a manual gearbox. It’s a refreshingly unorthodox arrival in a sea of crossovers.
The K4 Family Expands
2027 Kia K4 Sportswagon
Kia
Kia already has a K4 sedan and K4 hatchback, with both being on sale in this market. The K4 Sportswagon is the third addition to the compact family, sharing its front fascia with its siblings. But the longroof design adds a totally different twist. Kia has kept things sleek by concealing the handles of the rear doors, and the upswept beltline between the C and D pillars is another sporty touch.
The K4 Sportswagon is 184.8 inches long, which is actually 0.6 inches shorter than the sedan sold in the USA. Its cargo area measures a useful 21.3 cubic feet, though, easily exceeding the 14.6 cubic feet in the sedan. A powered, hands-free tailgate further improves versatility.
"With the K4 Sportswagon, we are extending the appeal of the K4 to customers who value space and versatility as much as they are interested in design and technology," said Sjoerd Knipping, Chief Operating Officer of Kia Europe. "By offering this wagon, we continue to show our ambition to provide practical solutions without compromising on innovation."
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Small Engines Keep Things Simple
2027 Kia K4 Sportswagon
K
The K4 Sportswagon doesn’t quite live up to its name in the engine department. It comes with a standard 1.0-liter turbo engine producing just 113 horsepower, a figure that the average American would scoff at. This engine is paired with a six-speed manual, and it’s also available with a mild-hybrid setup. A 1.6-liter turbo engine with up to 177 hp sounds much peppier, and this model gets a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Later this year, a hybrid will be added to the range.
Kia’s familiar high-tech interior and available driver-assistance features will be present, including blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree surround-view camera.
Unfortunately, the 2027 Kia K4 Sportswagon isn’t destined for American shores. Wagons struggle here, and the budget wagon segment is extinct in the United States, whereas the body style still has a loyal following in Europe. The K4 Sportswagon joins a trio of recently revealed Kia GT EVs that are also unlikely ever to be sold in America, and honestly, it’s our loss.
A K4 Sportswagon with a manual gearbox and the sedan’s available 190-hp turbo-four sounds like a great alternative to a small crossover, but it’s simply not the kind of car this market would be interested in.
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