Kia K4 1.6 T-GDI Spirit DCT7 petrol FWD automatic

Sustainability rating
2026
46%

Kia K4 1.6 T-GDI Spirit DCT7 petrol FWD automatic

Sustainability rating
2026
46%

Our verdict

The Kia K4 tested here is equipped with a 1.6‑litre petrol engine without any hybridisation. Thus, although the achievements in the Clean Air Index are creditable, the overall results remain constrained by the relatively high fuel consumption values.

  • Controls exhaust emissions very effectively in all test conditions and achieves a high Clean Air score. Scores near the maximum for tyre abrasion but cannot mitigate brake abrasion without regenerative braking.
  • Records unremarkable fuel consumption, with 5.8 l/100 km on the mixed on-road test and 6.3 l/100 km in urban driving. Measured petrol consumption values significantly limits the energy-efficiency score.
  • Produces high life cycle GHG emissions due to its conventional petrol powertrain and non-European production. Reaches 257 g CO2‑eq./km, including 160 g CO2‑eq./km from direct exhaust emissions.
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6.9 10 Clean Air

The K4 controls its exhaust emissions very well: in the lab and on the road, and under high power highway driving and –7°C testing. The result is a high 8.7/10. The points collected for the reduction of tyre abrasion emissions are close to the maximum, but the conventional powertrain is not capable of recuperative braking and there are no points rewarded for brake abrasion mitigation.

Exhaust emissions

adequate
8.7 10

good

8.410
NMHC NOX NH3 CO PN PM Score
Legal test (WLTP) 5.98
Warm weather 9.510
Highway 8.610
Winter cold start 7.910
Winter warm start 9.610

adequate

8.910
NMHC NOX NH3 CO PN PM Score
Real-world mixed drive 9.210
Short city trip 8.510
Congestion 2.02
  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.
Non-exhaust emissions

marginal
4.5 10

adequate

5.46
Result Score
Influence of mass 2.43
Wheel alignment 1.01
Accelerator response 2.02

poor

0.06
Result Score
Brake dust mitigation 0.04
Brake dust containment 0.06
Recuperative braking - warm test 0.06
  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.
Additional Life Cycle Assessment information

marginal
3.9 10
Pollutants
*Exhaust emissions are not contributing to the score in Additional Life Cycle Assessment information because they are scored in the Exhaust emissions section above.
4.6 10 Energy Efficiency

The car's petrol consumption figures fail to impress. The on-road test was performed at 18°C in rainy weather on a wet road and the Kia recorded 5.8 l/100 km with 6.3 l/100 km in the short urban trip. In terms of life cycle assessment, the total primary energy demand benefits from the absence of a heavy battery, the production of which would increase the need for energy, but the amount of fuel needed by a conventional combustion engine strongly limit the achievable score in this section.

Energy demand

weak
4.5 10

weak

1.910
Legal test (WLTP)
6.5 l/100 km
Warm weather
6.4 l/100 km
Highway
7.7 l/100 km
Winter cold start
7.8 l/100 km
Winter warm start
6.7 l/100 km

good

10.010
Total LCA energy consumption
*Direct propulsion energy share is not shown, it is included in ‘Fuel/energy supply’
Energy source share in total LCA consumption
Rolling resistance

adequate
7.1 10
  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.
2.2 10 Greenhouse Gases

The conventional powertrain of Kia K4 does not leave a lot of room for improvement in the Greenhouse Gas Index. The vehicle is produced outside Europe, which leads to slightly higher production emissions. The total life cycle GHG emissions cumulate to 257 g CO2‑eq./km, 160 of which are a direct output of the petrol combustion.

Exhaust GHG emissions

weak
0.6 10
In laboratory
Legal test (WLTP)
148 g CO₂-eq./km
Warm weather
146.3 g CO₂-eq./km
Highway
174.6 g CO₂-eq./km
Winter cold start
178.4 g CO₂-eq./km
Winter warm start
152 g CO₂-eq./km
Additional Life Cycle Assessment information

adequate
7.9 10
Total LCA GHG Emissions
*The scoring does not consider the direct exhaust GHG emissions at the tailpipe, because they are scored separately in ‘Exhaust GHG emissions’ above.

Vehicle Life Cycle Average Emissions 62 (+/-)
(Best 57 | Worst 67)

  • good
  • adequate
  • marginal
  • weak
  • poor
  • n.a.

Specifications

  • Vehicle class Large Family Car
  • Power/Torque 110 kW/250 Nm
  • Engine size 1,598 cc
  • Declared consumption 6.5 l/100 km
  • Declared CO2 148 g/km
  • Mass 1,452 kg
  • Heating concept Waste heat
  • Tyres 225/45 R17
  • Emissions class Euro 6 EB
  • Tested car 3KPFX51C8TE19XXXX
  • Publication date 09 2026
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Disclaimer

Driving Experience

Consumption & Range

adequate
Estimated actual consumption What consumption can be expected in real world conditions?

adequate
Conditions Urban Rural Highway Mixed
Warm weather
9.5
6.1
6.6
7.4
l/100 km
Cold winter
11.0
6.7
7.3
8.3
l/100 km
Accuracy of display Is the consumption figure on the display correct?

good
  • good
  • adequate
  • poor
  • n.a.
Cold Winter Performance

not applicable
Charging Capability

not applicable

Green NCAP comments

The Driving Experience evaluation of conventional vehicles focuses only on the performance in section 'Consumption and Range'. The Kia K4's estimated real-world consumption figures are seen mostly as adequate with urban driving being scored as poor in both warm and cold weather. The consumption readings on the computer display board are accurate.

Download report (pdf) Download detailed test results (ods) Safety test results

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