New Kia EV4 review

Introduction and model history

Here’s a question we thought we’d never ask a few years ago. Can we have too much of a good thing? When Kia first wowed us with the EV6 and then the EV9, we welcomed them with open arms. The more, the merrier, we said. 

But here we are in 2025 and we’ve got an EV3 in showrooms, an EV5 heading our way in the coming months and an EV2 joining the party by the end of the year. But that’s not the end of Kia’s EV invasion. Oh no. In addition to the cars already mentioned, we also going to get two versions of the EV4 – Kia’s attempt to electrify the traditional compact family hatchback market. 

Battery, range and charging

Like all the other models in Kia’s EV line-up, the EV4  is based on the E-GMP platform co-developed with Hyundai. But under the skin, it’s more closely related to the EV3 than it is the EV6. It has a 400 volt electrical system rather than the 800 volt system fitted to the EV6 and the motor is up front and drives the front wheels. 

Both hatch and saloon are going to be offered with two battery options: 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh. Which, if you’re a Kia expert, you’ll know are the same size packs offered in the EV3. But here’s where the numbers start to change. Because the EV4 is more aerodynamic than the EV3, it’s more efficient. 

The long-range version of the saloon comes with a WLTP figure of 391 miles, which is 16 miles more than the smaller EV3 can manage. The hatchback isn’t quite as slippery as the saloon has a WLTP figure of 367 miles. Which is still pretty impressive given that 300 mile electric cars were the stuff of dreams four or five years ago. 

Kia hasn’t confirmed DC charging times, but the EV3 manages 135kW for the long range and 102kW for the standard range. And, like the EV3, it will come with battery preconditioning, which means that you’ll get as close to that peak as possible if you have your destination set as a rapid charger. 

Vehicle to load is standard, as we’ve come to expect from Kia, as it Vehicle to Grid when it becomes available to UK households.

Motors, performance and handling

Both versions come with a front-mounted motor producing 201bhp, giving the standard model a 0-62mph time of 7.4 seconds, while the long-range variant takes 7.7 seconds. Both top out at 106mph.

The EV4’s chassis has been tuned for a balance of comfort and agility. A MacPherson strut front suspension setup is paired with a multi-link rear, while frequency-responsive dampers and hydro G suspension bushings help reduce noise and vibration. Kia has also improved front-wheel-drive geometry for better cornering stability and a more direct steering response.

Design, interior and boot space

The EV4 will be available with two body styles: hatch and saloon. The hatch version of the EV4 is 4.4 metres long, 1.9 metres wide and 1.5 metres tall. Which puts it bang in the middle of the hatchback class. It’s almost identical in size to a Ford Focus or a Vauxhall Astra. 

At the front, Kia hasn’t strayed too far from the look it’s given the EV3 and EV9. Its smoother and more angled which means that it’s going to be a lot more aerodynamic. The middle section is pretty conventional by Kia standards and you can tell from details like the flush door handles and smooth edges that the designers have tried to make it as slippery as possible.

The rear is where is gets interesting - on both models. The hatchback’s upright pillar is really unusual and features a trim line that extends over the roof the other side. There’s also an unusually deep roof spoiler that extends the roof line and again helps with the aerodynamics. 

The saloon? Well, that’s where things get a little strange.  If anything, the back end of the EV4 saloon car is quirkier than the concept revealed last year - and that was pretty odd. 

If I was being uncharitable, I’d say it looks like it was designed by two different people who never spoke to each other. The glass line of the rear glass just ends abruptly half way down the C-pillar while the overhang is massive. If the rear wheels were maybe 40cm further back, I think it would look at lot better than it does. 

And this is no optical illusion - the saloon really is quite a bit longer than the hatch. The extended rear end adds 30cm to the length of the EV4 hatchback, which makes it a bigger car than the EV6.

Inside, Kia has focused on space and usability. The minimalist dashboard incorporates a 30-inch widescreen display, combining 12.3-inch driver and infotainment screens with a 5.3-inch climate control panel. A rotating armrest, sliding centre console and ambient lighting add to the premium feel, while the saloon offers 490 litres of boot space (435 litres for the hatchback).

Technology 

Unsurprisingly, Kia has packed the EV4 with tech, including its latest i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking system, which also works in reverse for smoother low-speed manoeuvres. The adaptive Smart Regenerative Braking function further optimises efficiency, while i-Pedal Memory ensures the system retains previous settings.

The EV4’s infotainment setup includes Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, offering over-the-air software updates and app-based customisation. The system supports video streaming with YouTube, Netflix and Disney+, while a new Vehicle Smart TV feature expands in-car entertainment options. Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 allows smartphone-based access and can be shared with up to 15 devices, including Apple Watches for the first time. 

Running costs and pricing

Interestingly, the EV4 saloon will be built in Korea, while the hatchback will be produced in Slovakia exclusively for the European market. Production starts in March for the saloon, with European deliveries expected in the second half of the year. A UK launch is likely in late 2024. 

Kia hasn’t given us anything official yet regarding prices, but it’s going to be fascinating to see how the EV4 gets shoe-horned into the existing line-up. The EV3 is priced from £32k to £43k while the EV6 starts at £44k. 

Where is the EV4 going to fit? The simple answer is that’s likely to be pitched as an alternative to the EV3 with prices to match. In the same way that other brands sell their SUVs alongside and at the same price point as its hatchbacks. 

Verdict

The arrival of the EV4 marks an interesting development in Kia’s approach to its EV line-up. Instead of simply having models that fit price segments, Kia wants to give buyers a choice of designs. If you don’t fancy an EV3 because you don’t like SUVs, the EV4 offers you the same tech and range in a more conventional five-door hatch or saloon body. It’s a bold move, given that SUVs continue to dominate the sales charts in Europe - largely at the expense of conventional hatchbacks and saloons. Time will tell if Kia’s move is a masterstroke or a rare misstep. 

Like the EV4? Also consider these

Kia EV3 Review

Vauxhall Astra Electric Review

Renault Megane E-Tech Review