The First Kia K Series Model That Wasn’t Released in Korea

The K4 was finally unveiled on the 21st
Prospects of the K4 in light of the K2, which took a similar path

Kia officially unveiled its K4 model on the 21st.
This model, which continues the legacy of the K3, features a design with a front similar to the EV9 and a rear similar to the K8. Although the K4 was expected to breathe new life into the mid-size sedan market, it will not be released in Korea.

The absence of the K4 in the Korean market has left many netizens feeling disappointed.
Naturally, many people are surprised by the non-release of this vehicle in the Korean market. However, this is not the first time Kia’s K series has not been released in the Korean market. The path of the K4 is strikingly similar to that of the K2, the first even-numbered vehicle in the K series. Let’s look at the K2, the ancestor in the K series, and consider the prospects of the K4 together.

The K2, the first even-numbered K series,  was launched in the Chinese and Russian markets

The K8 is the first even-numbered model released in the Korean market. However, when looking at the entire K series, the K2 was the original. Unlike the K4, exclusive to North America, the K2 was released as a model exclusive to China and Russia. The K2, launched by the Chinese joint venture Dongfeng Yueda Kia, was a compact model, as indicated by its numbering, and is the successor to the popular Rio sedan.

The K2 is a vehicle created by Dongfeng Yueda Kia with only the Chinese and Russian markets in mind. Therefore, it has no connection with Kia’s Rio. However, this vehicle was launched in the Russian market under Rio. At the time, the Rio, the name given to the Pride, boasted high recognition, so it seems that Kia used this naming strategy for the K2.

What are the features of the K2?

The first generation of the K2 boasts an exterior similar to the highly praised K5 for its design. However, being a compact car, it had a proportion of shortcomings, leaving much to be desired. The first-generation K2’s powertrain consists of a 1.4L Gamma MPI engine with a maximum output of 107 horsepower and a 1.6L Gamma MPI engine with a maximum output of 123 horsepower. The lowest trim comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, while the rest comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission.

After the first and only facelift, the K2 returned as a second generation in 2016. Unlike the first generation, the second generation used a 1.4L Kappa MPI engine with a maximum output of 100 horsepower in the 1,400cc class, and an improved 1.6L Gamma MPI engine was mounted in the 1,600cc class. Like the first generation, the K2 was released in both sedan and hatchback models, but the hatchback model was later derived and released as the KX Cross.

What does the future of K4 look like in light of the K2?

After the release of the second generation, the K2 took different paths in the Chinese and Russian markets. In the Chinese market, the K2 failed to make its presence felt and was discontinued, but in the Russian market, the model continued its strong performance and even underwent a full change. The model has been developed up to the seventh generation and is currently provided only to developing countries, and in some countries, it is being sold under the name K3.

The K4, which is taking a path similar to the K2’s, replaces the Forte in North America and the Cerato in other regions. It is expected to offer a wide range of options in the international market. The sales volume of compact cars in Korea is decreasing, and in terms of market share, Avante holds a dominant position, so the likelihood of a domestic release in the future seems low.