KIA has dropped the Ceed from its line up and is replacing the car with the K4 which will begin life as a sleek-looking estate.

It is 4.44 metres long and 1.85 metres wide making it larger than the Ceed and has a luggage area of 438 litres extending to 1,217 litres with the rear seats folded.

Of the five available powertrains in Europe, two are electrified, aligning with Kia's broader electrification strategy and the K4 range will be offered with a 1.0-litre T-GDi petrol engine developing 115ps with a six-speed manual transmission.

This engine is also available with mild-hybrid technology. Those going for the mild-hybrid engine can pair it with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission instead.

There's also a 1.6-litre T-GDi petrol engine which comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and will be available with outputs of 150 and 180ps.

A full hybrid will be introduced later in 2026.

"With the K4, we are demonstrating how our models can deliver dynamic design, innovation, and intelligent technology irrespectively from their powertrain," said Sjoerd Knipping, chief operating officer of Kia Europe. "The K4 reflects our mission to make exciting mobility accessible to all by supporting customers who are not yet ready for fully electric vehicles."

The K4 is being produced in Mexico and will be available later this year when prices will be announced.

All models come with a full range of driver assistance systems including a panoramic display that integrates a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5.3-inch climate display, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen.

Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across all trims with a wireless phone charger available in higher trims.

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems see a Blind-Spot View Monitor providing drivers with a real-time video feed of their blind spots on the instrument cluster while Blind-spot Collision-Avoidance Assist uses radar sensors in the rear bumper to monitor blind spots and help prevent collisions during lane changes.

Other features include Smart Cruise Control 2 that can, in the event of an emergency, bring the car to a stop if the driver is unresponsive. Furthermore, Highway Driving Assist 2.0 helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, stay centred in the lane, change lanes, and adjust lateral positioning.

When reversing, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) detects vehicles approaching from behind at the left and right sides. RCCA provides audible and visual warnings and is even able to automatically apply the brakes to help avoid or mitigate a collision.

Additionally, a Surround View Monitor employs multiple cameras positioned around the car to create a composite, 360-degree view displayed on the infotainment screen.

Finally, using front-facing camera and radar sensors, Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 helps prevent or mitigate collisions by detecting potential hazards like other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists.

"With the K4, we are refreshing our line up with a model that delivers in every dimension: design, space, technology, and electrified powertrains," said Pablo Martínez Masip, Kia's vice president of product & marketing. "We designed the K4 for customers who want to drive farther, do more, and express themselves along their journey."