Battery sizes: 58kWh - 81.4kWh
E-Rating™: A+
Max charge rate: 102 - 135kW
WLTP range: 255 - 391 miles 
Introduction and model history
Here’s a question we thought we’d never ask. 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
Both the EV4 hatchback and the EV4 Fastback (which gets a saloon-style boot opening) 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 the EV4 is more aerodynamic than the EV3, making it more efficient and giving it a slightly longer range of 391 miles for the saloon (16 miles more than the smaller EV3 can manage). The hatchback isn’t quite as slippery as the saloon, and has a WLTP figure of 367 miles. Still pretty impressive given that 300 mile electric cars were the stuff of dreams four or five years ago.
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Kia hasn’t confirmed DC charging speeds, but it has said that the EV4 will charge from 10-80% in around 30 minutes regardless of which battery you choose. I suspect that, like the EV3, it'll get 135kW charging for the long range models, and 102kW for the standard range. It'll also 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 on top-spec GT-Line S, as we’ve come to expect from Kia, as it Vehicle to Grid when it becomes available to UK households. A heat pump, which improves winter range and efficiency, is a £900 option - and is only offered on the top-spec EV4 GT-Line S.
Interior, design/styling and technology
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, to make it more aerodynamic. 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 EV4 Fastback (or some might call it a saloon...)? Well, that’s where things get a little strange. 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 huge, panoramic display, combining a 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. It really does feel classy in here, with a nice blend of materials and sensible layout that includes physical air-con buttons and touch-sensitive shortcut buttons to make it easy to hop between functions on the screen. It's a much better infotainment system than the one in the MG4 or VW ID.3, I'd say that.
There's also over-the-air software updates, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, nav with charger search function, and you can make your smartphone the key to your car (if you want to!).
Practicality and boot space
The passenger space and comfort in the EV4 is really impressive. Up front, I love the seats that - on higher specs - offer electric seat adjustment and are really supportive and comfy. I particularly like the headrests that are made of a mesh material and are really soft and comfy to rest your head against. I know, it's a small thing but then the little details can make a big difference.
There's loads of rear leg- and headroom in the EV4 hatchback and Fastback. Even tall adults will be comfortable, although I'd add here that the test car I spent my time in didn't have a panoramic roof, which might eat into the headroom a bit.
Rear visibility is a weak point, though. That sharply raked rear window only leave a letterbox view out of the back, so it's a good thing that you get parking sensors and a camera on every EV4.
Boot space is good, too, with 435-litres for the hatchback and the fastback gets 490-litres thanks to its longer rear overhang. It's a usefully bigger boot space than you get in the ID.3, although the Kia's boot lip is a bit higher than some others. The seats fold down in a 60/40 split, but they don't slide or do anything particularly clever.
Motors, performance and handling
Both of the EV4 models 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. I drove the EV4 GT-Line S out at a European Car of the Year event in Denmark, and though it was great. It's quite soft riding, with plenty of body movement, but the steering is nicely weighted and gives plenty of confidence, there's lots of grip and it all just feels secure and pleasant. It's not quite as nice to drive as the Skoda Elroq, and I'd also say that a Renault Megane and the new Nissan Leaf drive with a bit more vigour and driver satisfaction, but the EV4 is very fit for purpose, and a really calm way to travel.
Kia will tell you all about the multi-link rear axle, frequency-responsive dampers and hydro G suspension bushings that help reduce noise and vibration, but while the EV4 is refined, I don't think it's any quieter than the Leaf, Cupra Born, Skoda Elroq or VW ID.3, which you may also be considering if you're looking at the EV4. And that's fine, because they're very quiet cars!
Brake regen' is done via paddles on the steering wheel, which let you toggle through three different levels - and you can choose whether you want the adaptive setting on or off within those modes, so that the car brakes automatically to keep your distance from cars in front. There's also a one-pedal mode, making this one of the most versatile and easy-to-control regen' systems in the class. I know it sounds a bit complicated, but it's easy to use, honest!
Overall, the Kia EV4 isn't quite as nimble as some of its counterparts but it's still a really easygoing car that you'll enjoy driving.
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. Brits will only get the hatch for now, with deliveries starting in the UK in autumn 2025.
As expected, the EV4 fits exactly between the EV3 and EV6 in Kia's pricing structure, with the range starting at under £35,000 for the 58.3kWh Air model (that's about £1,000 less than a VW ID.3, by the way), or the price jumps to just under £38,000 for the 81.4kWh Kia EV4 Air that I reckon will be a popular option. That's a very long range for the money, and you get all of that touchscreen infotainment tech, adaptive cruise control, alloy wheels, parking camera, heated front seats, and automatic LED lights.
GT-Line adds wireless phone charging, electric driver's seat adjustment, leatherette upholstery in place of the fabric finish in the Air models, bigger 19-inch alloys and lots of other style upgrades. GT-Line S is only available with the big battery, and it adds heated rear seats, head-up display, Harman Kardon sound system and a blind spot monitor. It does cost nearly £44,000, though, which feels a bit pricey even with the seven year, 100,000 mile warranty thrown in. Tesla Model 3, anyone? Hmm.
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. Time will tell if Kia’s move is a masterstroke or a rare misstep.
If I'm honest - despite being a life-long hatchback fan - I'd have the EV3 over the EV4 as I think it's much cuter to look at, not to mention a bit cheaper and still a very versatile family car. Even so, while I don't personally love the EV4's droopy-nosed looks, it is a comprehensive electric family car that makes a very solid case for itself against rivals like the Nissan Leaf and VW ID.3.
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