Kia presented a station wagon with which it wants to compete with the Octavia, the K4

The new K4 Sportswagon is 4,695 m long, which is 265 mm more than the K4 hatchback, and the entire ‘excess’ goes to the rear. Unatoč therefore, the wheelbase remains the same, 2.72 m, which suggests that the priority was a larger luggage compartment and a more useful rear overhang, rather than a completely different platform.

The biggest gain is the luggage space: the station wagon has 604 liters, which is 166 liters more than the hatchback. It also gets an electric tailgate lift, while the hatchback remains on manual opening, a detail that sounds small to many people until they use it every day.

The cabin, at least from what has been shown so far, is the same as in the hatchback: two 12.3-inch screens for instruments and infotainment and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Autocar notes that British specifications have not yet been confirmed, but it is expected that the Sportswagon will initially offer the same turbo petrol engines as the hatchback.

This would mean a mild hybrid 1.0 with three cylinders and 113 hp and 1.6 with four cylinders in versions of 147 or 177 hp. Both engines should come with a 7-speed DCT transmission, while the 6-speed manual would be limited to the more basic 1.0 in entry-level trim. In addition, later in the year, the K4 family should receive a full hybrid drive.

Prices haven’t been announced yet, but Autocar estimates the estate could start around £27,000, with the UK hatchback starting at £26,045. For comparison, they list the £29,470 Octavia estate and the £28,695 Peugeot 308 SW. For Croatia, the key thing is whether the K4 Sportswagon will come to the local offer at all and under which equipment packages, but if it does, it is aimed at customers who want a ‘family’ station wagon, not an SUV.