Kia has just done something rather marvellous. Instead of creating yet another SUV, the Korean brand has made a new estate, based on the new K4 hatchback (which itself is going on sale in Ireland imminently).
What's this one called?
This is the K4 Sportwagon, a name that harks back to the successful Cee'd estates of the mid-2000s. As with the K4 hatchback, it's been designed to sort of spread across two segments, covering both family hatchbacks and bigger estates and saloons, rather like a Skoda Octavia.
So is it as big as an Octavia in the back?
Not quite, but with a 604-litre boot (up to the luggage cover), the K4 Sportwagon is still massively spacious, and you can fold the back seats down to open up 1,439 litres of space. The 2.7-metre wheelbase means that there's lots of room in the cabin too, and to make it really practical, the K4 Sportwagon gets a powered, hands-free tailgate.
"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.”
The K4 uses petrol engines, right?
Yes, and you can kind of think of the K4 as being like an EV4 for those not ready to take the fully-electric plunge just yet. You'll be able to choose between an entry-level 1.6-litre 115hp engine with a six-speed manual gearbox, or there's a mild-hybrid version (which gets considerably less boot space) of the same engine with an optional seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. There's also a 1.6-litre turbo with either 150hp or 180hp, and Kia says that a full hybrid model is on the way too.
What's the cabin like?
Very much in the mould of other Kias, so if you've driven an EV4 or a Sportage recently, you know what to expect. There's the usual twin 12.3-inch digital screens for instruments and infotainment, along with a 5.3-inch climate control screen and, thankfully, plenty of physical buttons too. There are optional heated and ventilated front seats, and an also-optional high-end Harmon/Kardon sound system. There's also plenty of connectivity options, a 'Hey, Kia' voice assistant, and built-in Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube.
What about safety?
The K4 Sportwagon will come with a full suite of safety assistants, including a blind spot view monitor with collision avoidance, smart cruise control, lane-keeping, rear cross traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera system.
When can I have one?
Irish specs and prices are not yet set, but 'soon' would be the answer, we'd hope.