THE smart five-door K4 recently replaced the Ceed in Kia's line-up so it is a very important car for the Korean manufacturer.

Good looking and well equipped it is available in a choice of powertrainsand the hatchback is just about to be joined by an estate version.

It has been designed to sit alongside the all-electric EV4 and is priced from just over £26,000.

It is available with a choice of two petrol engines and three trims.

The entry level comes with a 1.0-litre mild hybrid unit which delivers 113bhpand in the Pure grade comes with a six-speed manual box or in the GT-Line model with a seven-speed automatic box.

If you want more power go for the 1.6-litre on the GT-Line with 147bhpor with177 bhp on the range-topping GT-Line S version I sampled which has a dual-clutch automatic box.

The newcomer is a looker with lots of appeal with its sloping roof, sleek lines and coupe-like styling. Kia lighting adds to the appeal and the top model boasts larger 18-inch alloys, privacy glass and stacks of equipment.

The interior is nicely styled with soft surfaces, comfortable seats and lots of technology. A single curved panel merges two 12.3-inch infotainment screens and a 5.3-inch climate control screen. The touchscreen responds quickly and it is easy to use.

There is also a personal assistant that can help with lots of tasks and is powered by ChatGPT.

This car included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, sat nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth and a very good sound system. Owners are also able to stream a range of subscription infotainment packages.

You can find the perfect driving position in seconds thanks to the powered driver's seat and the manual steering wheel adjustment. The front seats can be heated or cooled and the outer rear seats can also be heated.

The car with 177bhp on tap was good for 130mph and took the sprint to 62mph in just 8.4 seconds.

The power was delivered smoothly with a combined 42.2mpg figure and emissions of 152g/km. I managed nearly 47mpg on a long motorway run.

The K4 cruised nicely at motorway speeds and it was also at home on more demanding country roads where the road holding was impressive. Driving modes change the dynamics of the car and steering wheel paddles can add to the fun.

The steering is sharp and nicely weighted and the goo visibility makes driving in busy towns a breeze.

Built at a new plant in Mexico, the K4 offers plenty of interior space for four adults to travel in comfort and the boot can take 438 litres of kit, rising to 1,217 litres if you collapse the 60:40 split rear seats.

The cabin also boasts lots of storage and wireless charging as well as four USB-C ports to keep everyone connected.

The car also features all the latestsafety and driver assistance features to protect you and your passengers as well as other road users.