BEAR BRYANT

Photo: Bear Bryant, 1977 — Malcolm W. Emmons / Heritage Auctions, via Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain).

THE TIME I TRIED TO POKE THE BEAR

I hadn’t thought about it until the other day when I came to the final page of the 2026 Lindy’s College Football Preview. There it recalls significant events of past college football seasons at intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 years ago.

For the 50-year mark this year’s edition highlighted the success of Heisman winner Tony Dorsett and his 1976 national champion Pittsburgh team.

My recall of the 1976 campaign is slightly different. That was the year I was introduced to Southeastern Conference football and attended my first press conference with Bear Bryant.

I had just taken over the University of Kentucky football and basketball beat for the Courier-Journal in Louisville and one of my first assignments was a trip on the SEC Skywriters tour.

Today SEC football writers all rather in Birmingham and coaches and selected players from the various teams come to them, but back in the 1970s (and earlier) writers and broadcasters traveled in a charter plane around the South to visit the various schools themselves. The name “Skywriters” came from the practice of many to write their stories while flying to the next destination.

The second stop on the 1976 tour was in Tuscaloosa and I had one specific question I planned to ask Bear. 

A little background is necessary here. Bear had already established his legendary status by then after winning the first four of his eventual six national championships in previous years. The 1975 team came close but had ended the season No. 3 with an 11-1 record.

Bama’s season had ended with a Sugar Bowl victory over Penn State but how that matchup came to be was not without controversy. Bama entered the game ranked No. 4 and Bear felt he was going to be denied a shot at No. 1 because the Orange Bowl had matched up his preferred opponent for No. 3 Oklahoma with No. 5 Michigan. No. 8 Nebraska, which had lost the Big 8 conference championship to Oklahoma, was the highest ranked available opponent for Alabama.

Butwhen it came time to pick an opponent for the Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl Bear, told the bowl he wanted to play No. 9 Penn State ad the Sugar Bowl obliged. 

Big 8 coaches in particular were upset that the Cornhuskers had been passed over and many in the media suggested it was because Bear wanted to play a team he could beat, which it turned out he did but only by a 13-6 score. 

Oklahoma got the national title when it beat Michigan in the Orange Bowl to jump Ohio State and Texas A&M, which had lost their bowl games.

Back to the Skywriter tour and my question for Bear.

Being new to the SEC and in a room full of what was mostly strangers I was a bit apprehensive. But finally as the session wore down, it came to it being now or never and in a lull I blurted out

“Who do you want to play in the Sugar Bowl?”

I waited for the barrage of belligerence I was sure would come. But no.

“I don’t know if we can get there,” Bear said in his low rumbling growl. “But if we do, I’ll decide though.”

I felt relief. I had not been chewed up and spit out like I expected. Laughter, not scorn, filled the room.

It turned out Bear was right about his team not making the Sugar Bowl in 1976. It was Georgia that represented the SEC and the Bulldogs lost to Pitt. Alabama finished 9-3 to finish 11th in the final polls after a 36-6 rout of UCLA in the Liberty Bowl.

Later after I had moved from Louisville to Jackson, Mississippi, I had other opportunities to see Bear at other press conferences, including his 1981 Iron Bowl win over Auburn that made him the winningest coach in college football at the time with 315 wins.

The only thing I remember about that press conference was that when Bear was asked (not by me) how he was going to celebrate the milestone win, he said he was going home to have some bread and milk, which not being a native Southerner puzzled me.

Bread and milk? A friend had to explain to me Bear meant  cornbread. Better but with Bear’s reputation as a hard smoker and drinker, I had my doubts about the milk.

Another time I approached him (nervously) in the locker room after a game and found him sitting in a chair by himself. (Back then post-game press conferences weren’t formalized. You simply gathered around coaches and players one-on-one by their locker or a chair.)

I don’t remember exactly what my question to him was, something like why he had done something like punting on third down, and he simply growled again: “Cuz I was trying to win.”

Boy what a great quote, I thought as I scurried back to the press box. Later, I found out that was Bear’s stock answer when he wanted you to quit bothering him, like swatting away a fly.

After replacing Amos Alonzo Stagg as college football’s winningest coach (a distinction now held by Penn State’s Joe Paterno at the top level of college football) Bear spent one more season as Alabama’s coach. Bama lost four of its last six regular-season games to finish with an 8-4 record in 1982.

Four weeks after the Tide closed out the season with a 21-15 win over Illinois in the Liberty Bowl, Bear died of a heart attack after being admitted to the hospital because of chest pains.

Alabama tried several coaches after the Bear, and with a couple of exceptions, they struggled. Those exceptions were Gene Stallings, who won a national championship by beating Miami in 1992, and Nick Saban, who topped Bear’s record with seven national titles before retiring a couple of years ago.

I don’t know about Stallings, but I’m pretty sure I would have gotten a different reaction from Saban on my question to Bear.

2026 CADILLAC OPTIQ

 

CADILLAC ADDS PERFORMANCE V-SERIES 

MODEL TO ALL-ELECTRIC OPTIQ LINEUP

In only its second year, the 2026 Cadillac Optiq already has built an impressive résumé in the electric SUV market. The smallest and most affordable all-electric SUV in Cadillac’s portfolio, the Optiq ranks as the company’s second-best seller among the company’s EVs behind the ground-breaking Lyriq and was sixth overall among all premium electric SUVs in sales figures covering the first six months of this year.

Offered in four trims (Sport 1 and Sport 2 and Luxury 1 and Luxury 2) in its debut as a 2025 model. the 2026 Cadillac Optiq now offers a performance-driven V-Series version that reduces range but makes for a more exhilarating driving experience

The 2026 Cadillac Optiq V-Series, which this review is based on, comes with a dual-motor and standard all-wheel-drive. It is rated at 519 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque and Cadillac estimates it will scoot from zero-to-60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

That’s about a second quicker the Optiq’s Sport and Luxury trims with the optional dual motors. Sport and Luxury trims also are available either with single-motor and rear-wheel drive.

In addition toan initial price tag of $14,000 to $17,000 over the other trims, the 2026 Cadillac Optiq V-Series loses a bit in the way of electric driving range. Cadillac says range for the Sport and Luxury trims is about 317 miles for single-motor versions and 303 for those with dual motors while the Optiq-V delivers a disappointing 278 miles.

The good news is that all models are equipped with a North American Charging Standard (NACS) ports whic
h means you can hook up at any one of the 29,000 Tesla outlets and other public facilities as well.

The Optiq may be Cadillac’s smallest SUV but that doesn’t mean it scrapped or lacks comfort. The cabin is roomy and comfortable with 41.6 inches of legroom up front and 37.8 inches in the second row.

Cargo space expands from 26 cubic feet with the second-row seats in place to 57 cubic feet when the back row is folded.

Most infotainment functions work of a hi-def screen and Cadillac thoughtfully includes a row of hard buttons underneath to manually adjust climate control settings. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, however, are not offered. 

Wireless phone charging is available, and the radio gets an AM band to go along with FM and Sirius-XM Satellite Radio. GM’s hands-free driving Super Cruise also is among standard features.

Starting MSRP for the 2026 Cadillac Optig AWD V-Series is $68,795. Other trims start at $52,395 (Luxury), $54,595 (Premium Luxury), $52,995 (Sport), and $55,095 (Premium Sport).

What I liked about the 2026 Cadillac Optiq AWD V-Series: It has a sporty profile and a comfortable, upscale interior. Stantard tech features include GM’s Super Cruise hands-free driving system. You can adjust climate control via hard buttons instead of going through the touchscreen. Some controls also can be operated via a rotary controller on the console. Unlike some EVs, the radio includes an AM band

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Cadillac Optiq AWD V-Series: The touchscreen can be slow to respond to touches at times. There is no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, forcing you to use the built-in Google system. No front storage area (frunk) is offered. In my experience, the tilt-and-telescoping steering column in luxury vehicles is usually power adjusted via a button but the on the Optiq it must be adjusted manually. The dual-motor configuration in the V-Series may deliver extra performance but you pay for it with considerably less driving range.

Would I buy the 2026 Cadillac Optiq AWD V-Series? I’m not really interested in electric vehicles in general and the V-Series seems like overkill when it comes to performance as EVs as a class provide instant torque for quick getaways.  Other trims make more sense financially.

2026 FORD MAVERICK

FINALLY, A PICKUP TRUCK FOR THOSE WHO SHY AWAY FROM THE FULL-SIZE BEASTS

If the size and price tag of a full-size version is what is keeping you from buy a pickup truck, Ford may have the solution for you.

The 2026 Ford Maverick can handle loads of up to 1,500 pounds in its 4 1/2-foot bed, can tow a 2-ton trailer, seats 5 passengers in its crew cab, and comes with a beginning price tag of under $30,000, about $17,000 less that what an base trim F-150 will set you back.

Its base EcoBoost 4-cylinder engine offers 26 miles-per-gallon combined city/highway driving and if that doesn’t suit you front-wheel-drive models with a hybrid gas-electric drivetrain (HEV) give you up to 38 mpg combined with 42 around town.

And all-wheel drive knocks only a couple of miles off those figures.

Little wonder sites like Car & Driver, Motor Trend, and US News & World Report rank the 2026 Ford Maverick at the top of the pickup truck class.

The 2026 Ford Maverick comes in five trim levels with the XL, XLT, and Lariat models a choice of either the turbocharged EcoBoost gas engine or the hybrid drive train.

The Lobo and base XL trims come with only the 2.0-liter Ecoboost gas engine that is rated at a healthy 250 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. The 4-banger in the Lobo is matched to a 7-speed automatic transmission while the XL gets an 8-speed.

The 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and electric motor in hybrid models is rated at a combined 184 horsepower with the electric motor producing 236 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid setup includes a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The AWD Lobo trim that served as my test vehicle is roomy and comes with one-year subscription or optional seven-year package for Ford’s Connectivity Package (5G Wi-Fi hotspot, navigation, and the ability to connect up to 10 devices). Front seats offer 40.2 inches of legroom and backseat riders get just under 37 inches. 

Standard features on the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo include a 13.2-inch touchscreen for operating such functions as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, keyless ignition with push-button start, 1-touch power windows, a 6-speaker sound system, LED headlamps, and single-zone up-front air conditioning.

Safety systems include rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention alert, lane-keep assist and lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitor, pre-collision safety system, emergency braking assist and preparation, and a cross-traffic alert.

Starting MSRP for the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo is $37,775.

As noted the base XL comes in at under $30495,000 though just barely at $29,990. XLT models check in at $32,490, the Lariat at $39,935, and the top Tremor trim at $42,490. That is still will under the starting $46,730 for the F-150’s base XL trim.

By the way, if the name Maverick seems vaguely familiar, that is just your memory working overtime. Ford also used the Maverick nameplate back in the early 1970s for a 2-door (later 4-door) sedan that replaced the Falcon. The 1977 model was its last in the U.S.

What I liked about the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD: It is an ideal size for maneuvering in tight spaces but yet the interior is roomy and comfortable. Fuel economy is impressive for a non-hybrid model.

What  didn’t like about the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD: The gas pedal is small and anchored at the top, making its easy for your foot to slip off the bottom. Infotainment features are fairly intuitive but have some quirks for some adjustments, particularly when it comes to manual control of A/C settings.

Would I buy the 2026 Ford Maverick Lobo AWD? If you have put off buying a new pickup because full-size models have become so huge, the Maverick offers a sensible alternative. It is a more versatile hauler than an SUV and with a length of around 200 inches for all trims and width of under 73 it is easier to drive in tight urban settings than a full-size pickup.

2026 CHEVROLET TAHOE

 

TAHOE PLAYS DOMINATE ROLE 

IN FULL-SIZE SUV SEGMENT

When it comes to full-size non-luxury SUVs, General Motors vehicles dominate the segment with three of the company’s products among the four best sellers in the U.S.

At the head of the class is the venerable Chevrolet Tahoe, which assumed the No. 1 position in U.S. sales in 2001 and has held onto the that spot ever since.

Right behind is the Yukon from GMC, which shares the platform and other features with the Tahoe. The Chevy Suburban comes in at No. 4 behind the Ford Expedition.

All in all the Chevy Tahoe accounts for over 25 percent of all sales of the traditional full-size SUV. Though this year’s pace lags a bit when compared to last year’s success when over 114,000 were sold, the Tahoe seems headed for a six consecutive year of over 100,000 in sales, a remarkable run of success.

Now in its fifth generation that was introduced in 2021, the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe is available with either a somewhat thirsty gasoline engine or a more economical diesel powertrain. The V8 comes in two versions, a 5.3-liter rated at 335-horsepower or a 6.2L that is standard in the top-of-the-line High Country trim that this review is based on. 

The larger V8 is rated at 420 horsepower and 486 pound-feet of torque. Both V8s are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The diesel’s inline 6-cylinder engine makes 305 horsepower and an impressive 495 pound-feet of torque. It also gets a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on most trims with all-wheel as an option. The High Country has standard all-wheel drive like the off-road oriented Z71 trim.

Though the GMC Yukon is touted as offering more in the way of luxury touches than its Chevrolet cousin, the Tahoe High Country is no slouch when it comes to a refined interior.

Three rows of leather covered seats are standard and the second-row bucket seats slide to afford the unlucky souls in the far back more legroom.

The front seats are heated and ventilated and the second row is heated. The 2026 Chevy Tahoe High Country gets a 17.7-inch display with navigation and built-in Google, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charging, and a 10-speaker Bose Premium Sound System.

With a length of 211.3 inches, the 2026 Chevy Tahoe High Country offers plenty of room for riders and cargo. Front-seat riders get 44.5 inches of legroom, and those in the third row earn just a bit under 35 inches to stretch out.

Standard safety systems include adaptive cruise control, blind spot warning and lane keep assist, rear cross traffic alert, enhanced automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian and cyclist braking, forward collision alert, parking assist, and HD surround vision.

The starting MSRP for the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country is $83,700. My test Tahoe came with options that added Super Cruise (GM’s hands free driving system), power running boards (a necessity), a 2-speed transfer case for off-roading ventures, and lots more that ran the final bottom line up to $101,420 including a destination charge of $2,795. The base LS trim starts at $63,495 and other trims run in the $70,000 bracket.

What  I liked about the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country: A high-class interior is very roomy for both passengers and cargo. Infotainment features are plentiful and user-friendly. The brawny V8 engine handles its bulk with ease. Running boards (which Chevy calls assist steps) are much appreciated. Power retractable steps are optional.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country: The larger V8 is a thirsty beast with fuel mileage at 14 miles-per-gallon city, 18 highway, and 16 overall using premium grade fuel. The size can leave you futilely looking for parking spaces in mall lots, especially if you want to avoid door dings. Attractive options can run the the MSRP for the High Country into six figures.

Would I buy the 2026 Chevrolet Tahoe High Country? You can count me out when it comes to full-size SUVs, but the base Tahoe is among the better buys in the segment. The High Country is higher up but still competitive.

2027 CHEVROLET BOLT

CHEVROLET BRINGS BACK BOLT HATCHBACK, BUT LOOK QUICK BEFORE IT’S GONE AGAIN

If you’re considering buying an electric vehicle but pricing is a hangup, Chevrolet may have the answer for you.

The “bow tie” people have brought back the Bolt EV for 2027 and the base LT model starts at under $30,000, edging the Nissan Leaf as the lowest price EV available today.

My test 2027 Chevrolet Bolt was the RS trim, however, and that raises the starting MSRP to over $30,000, which is still among the lowest among today’s electric vehicles.

The Bolt has an interesting history. A small crossover SUV, the Bolt debuted to positive reviews as a 2017 model, earning honors as the North American Car of the Year at the Detroit International Auto Show as well as top honors from several auto mags. Time magazine listed it as one of the top 25 inventions of 2016.

Despite the vehicle’s success, the company halted production of the 2023 Bolt to focus on the electric versions of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado pickup trucks. Safety and cost concerns (that low price created profitability issues for the Bolt) also no doubt played a part in the decision.

The outcry was such, however, that Chevy quickly announced the Bolt’s return but with the stipulation that production would again cease in 2027 after an 18-month run. So don’t dally if you are interested in one.

Despite the impending death sentence, Bolt’s U.S. sales for the second quarter of 2026 jumped to 3,433 vehicles from the meager 791 for the first quarter of the year. That left it in 13th place among sales of electric vehicles behind the No. 7 Equinox but ahead of No. 14 Blazer among Chevy EVs.

The comparatively low price is not the only thing the 2027 Chevy Bolt has going for it. Estimated range is 262 miles, up from 247 in 2023 Bolts, and, unlike in the previous generation, you can use fast-charging outlets up to 150 kW, a big leap from the old Bolts’  limit of 55 kW. 

Chevy says it takes only 25 minutes to get from 10 to 80 percent on a fast charger. Equipped with a North American Charging Standard outlet you also can hook up at Tesla outlets and charge using the MyChevrolet mobil app.

The 2027 Chevrolet Bolt also is pretty well equipped. Standard features include front and rear intermittent wipers, automatic off-on headlights, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, HD rear vision camera, automatic climate control, an 11-inch driver information center, 11.3-inch LCD display with built-in Google, a wi-fi hotspot, and adaptive cruise control.

RS trims also get as standard roof rails, ventilated driver and front passenger seats, a heated steering wheel, upgraded synthetic seats, rear center armrest, and 8-way power driver’s seat.

Both trims get standard safety features like lane-keep assist with lane-departure warning, blind spot steering assist, enhanced emergency braking, and front pedestrian and cyclist braking.

Chevy’s SuperCruise hands-free driving system is available as an option on both trims, but sorry, techies. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered. 

Starting MSRP for the 2027 Chevy Bolt LT is $28,995 including destination and delivery and $32,995 for the 2027 Chevy Bolt RS.

What I liked about the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS: The price is affordable and the range, while not class leading, is still respectable. The RS model comes well stocked (with a couple of notable exceptions) in standard features including heated and ventilated front seats Infotainment features operate off a user-friendly touchscreen and some functions operate via hard buttons.. Charging times are relatively fast and being able to use Tesla outlets gives you many more options for public charging.

What I didn’t like about the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS: It is not as quick as some similar EVs. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered though streaming data is available though other apps. Neither is all-wheel drive offered as an option. There is no “frunk” for storage up front. The production run will halt in mid-2027.

Would I buy the 2027 Chevrolet Bolt RS: If price is the major factor in your decision to buy an EV, the LT trim is pretty lengthy in standard features and offers the lowest price in the segment. But the RS trim offers some extra niceties that may make it worthwhile to extend your budget. 

2026 SUBARU OUTBACK

 

OUTBACK GETS A NEW LOOK AS IT MOVES INTO ITS SEVENTH GENERATION

Entering its seventh generation, the Outback has ceded its role as Subaru’s best-seller to the smaller, more economical Crosstrek, which led company sales for 2024 and 2025 and, more recently to the revamped Forester, which was the Japanese automaker’s top seller the first six months of this year.

Not that the 2026 Subaru Outback has dropped out of sight. It remains No 3 among the Japanese automaker’s sales  and experienced its best month of the year this past June.

With a roomy interior, lots of usable tech features, and a boxier exterior that looks less than its traditional wagon profile and more like an SUV, the 2026 Subaru Outback is offered in six trim levels running from the mid $30,000 range to near $50,000.

A new Wilderness trim, which this review is based on, joins the lineup along with Premium, Limited, Touring, Limited XT and Touring XT models.

Premium, which replaces the Base from 2025, and Limited and Touring Outbacks get a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder Boxer (horizontally opposed) engine while the Limited XT, Touring XT, and new Wilderness get a turbocharged 4-cylinder that provides a significant boost in power.

The non-turbo 4-banger is rated at 180 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque while the turbo comes in at 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet. That makes the Wilderness nearly three seconds quicker in zero-to-60 mph time, which Car&Driver puts at 6.0 seconds for the Wilderness and 8.8 seconds for the non-turbo models.

The increased power does knock the consumption for the turbo down to 21 miles-per-gallon city, 27 highway, and 27 combined from the non-turbo’s numbers of 25/31/27, but that’s a small premium to pay. Both run on 87 octane fuel, and all Outbacks are all-wheel drive.

With ground clearance boosted to 9.5 inches (8.7 inches more than other Outback trims) the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is will-suited for the off-roading adventures its name implies. Subaru’s  Dual mode X-MODE that adjusts traction and stability for extreme off-road conditions is standard. A simple push of a button on the center console activates it.

In addition to the exterior changes, which include a new front fascia, new rear design, and more upright shape, inside the 2026 Subaru Outback gets a new 12.1 inch touchscreen for operating infotainment features that include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and buttons for climate control functions.

The StarTex synthetic seat covers are water proof and front seats are heated with the driver’s seat power adjustable 10 ways. Other standard convenience features include keyless entry and push-button start, dual front and rear USB ports, Harmon Kardan speakers, and a wireless Smart phone charger.

Headlining safety features for the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness is the company’s EyeSight driver assist system that monitors the  road to help prevent collisions by providing alerts and automatic braking when necessary.

Adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, and reverse automatic braking system are among other safety features.

Pricing for the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness starts at $46, 445 including the $1,450 destination and deliver fee. Two option packages are offered. For $2,045 you get a moonroof, a navigation system,, and a surround-view monitor. For 4,090 you get those features plus Nappa leather seats with copper stitching, ventilated front seats, a 12-way power adjustable driver’s seat and an 8-way power front passenger seat.

The Premium trim runs $36,445 or $38,715 depending on which option you pick. Limited and Touring trims start at 43,165 and 46,845, respectively, and Limited XT and Touring XT start at $44,365 and $47,995, respectively, including a destination and delivery charge of $1,450.

What I liked about  the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness: The turbo engine in the Wilderness (as well as Limited XT and Touring XT trims) gets a significant power boost.  Though it can be slow to respond to lighter touches, the infotainment system overall is user-friendly. A row of physical buttons under the touchscreen simplify operation of the dual-zone climate control system. You use knobs to adjust the temperature. Auto Hold, activated by pushing a button, prevents creeping when stopped at intersections. Synthetic water-resistant upholstery and large rubber floor mats protect the interior.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness: I would prefer an 8-speed transmission over the standard CVT. I never could find what the annoying (but subtle) beep was trying to alert me of. With more power, you get slightly less gas mileage than Premium, Limited, and Touring models. No hybrid drivetrain is offered. 

Would I buy the 2026 Subaru Outback Wilderness? Some may lament the redesigned boxier style that shuns its wagon look in favor of SUV status, but the roomier interior and more power make the Wilderness an attractive buy even if your most challenging off-pavement venture is a gravel road.

KIA K4 HATCHBACK

NEW HATCHBACK FIGURATION 

EXPANDS LINEUP FOR KIA’S K4

After introducing the K4 as a sedan last year to replace the Forte in its portfolio, Kia launched a new hatchback model for this year.

Offering more cargo space and an impressive list of tech features, the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback comes in three trim levels, skipping over the LX and LXS sedan trims that lures buyers in with an MSRP in the low $20,000 range.

The E trim serves as the base for the Hatchback and carries a starting MSRP of $24,990, or $500 more than the K4 E sedan. This review is based on the 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo that tops the class. 

In the middle is the GT-Line with the normally aspirated 2.0-liter engine that serves the rest of the K4 lineup.

With an extra 43 horsepower and 63 pound-feet of torque, the 190-horsepower, 1.4-liter engine in the K4 GT-Line Turbo Hatchback is well worth the extra price up front.

Its 195 lb.-ft. of torque clips two seconds off the base engine’s zero-to-60 mph time with a clocking of 7.0 seconds, according to testing by major car magazines (Car & Driver and MotorTrend).

No doubt the 8-speed automatic transmission that comes with the turbo also plays a part in that. E and GT-Line get a CVT (continuously variable transmission). to go with the 2.0-liter normally aspirated 4-banger  Whatever, the extra punch results in a more pleasing driving experience and at a nebulous cost in fuel mileage.

The 2.0L normally aspirated 4-cylinder engine in E and GT-Line trims earns figures of 28 miles-per-gallon city, 34 highway and 30 combined. The turbo rates numbers of 26/33/28.

A long list of standard features on the 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo starts with driver-assist features like lane-following and lane-keeping assist, driver attention warning (it even detects and sends a reminder when your eyes are not on the road), blind-spot warning, and Smart (adaptive) Cruise Control and continue outside with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights and daytime running lights, power adjusted exterior mirrors with turn signal alerts.

Inside, infotainment features work off a 12.3-inch screen with AndroidAuto and Apple CarPlay but there are also hard buttons for some functions. The rear camera features dynamic guidelines and the dual zone automatic climate control features a 5-inch control display in that large screen.

Seating surfaces feature Syntex synthetic material and the power-adjustable driver’s seat has lumbar support. Both front seats are heated and there is a power charging port. The GT-Line Sport steering wheel comes with paddle shifters.

My test 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback GT-Line Turbo also came with some no-charge features. The included a power sunroof with a power shade, Harman/Kardon sound system, a 12.3-inch instrument display, and LED rear lights.

All that was included in the $28,790 starting price. A GT-Line Technology package (Highway Driving Assist2, Parking Collision Avoidance Assist, Parking Distance Warning, memory driver’s seat and outside mirror, ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel) adds $2,300.

The special Sparkling Yellow paint and carpeted floor mats and the K$1,195 destination and delivery charge ran the final total to $32,870.

The 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback E starts at $24,890. The GT-Line costs another $1,000. 

What I liked about the 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: The numerous infotainment features are user-friendly. Most work off a touchscreen but there also are buttons for things like climate control. The turbo engine has a nice punch especially when driven in Sport mode. The hatchback body style is roomy overall and especially when it comes to cargo space. The GT-Line Turbo’s 8-speed automatic transmission delivers better performance than the CVT in other trims.

What I didn’t like about the 2026 Kia K4 GT-Line Turbo: No electric or hybrid drivetrain is available and neither is all-wheel drive. Some competing vehicles in the class offer better fuel mileage, but the increase in power  with the turbo may be worth the extra cost. I normally don’t comment on the colors, but the “sparkling yellow” my test vehicle sported is particularly polarizing.

Would I buy the 2026 Kia K4 GT/-Line Turbo? The extra room makes the hatchback more appealing than the sedan, and the turbo engine’s extra oomph makes for a livelier ride. It’s a good option for those looking for a well-equipped bargain.