This is the EV4: the electric saloon with which Kia aims to repeat the success of the EV3

Kia is changing one of the main ingredients in the recipe that took the Kia EV3 to the top of its segment’s sales ranking. Repeating the success of the SUV with the new Kia EV4 will be difficult for several reasons. First of all, SUVs remain fashionable, and there is no sign of a horizon that would allow us to say the trend will be short-lived.

Secondly, regardless of body type, the EV3 is an outstanding car in terms of interior space efficiency, both in the rear seats and in boot capacity. Then subjective aspects come into play, such as design. And having seen the new EV4 in its fastback version in person -the hatchback has other ideas- I don’t think it will generate the same interest as the EV3, for which customers even stop by the dealership to ask without even knowing it is a fully electric model.

But nothing beats variety when it comes to choice, and Kia customers will be able to do so with the EV4, which is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in October. The estimated price premium over the EV3? Around 1,500 euros.

Two body styles: hatchback or fastback

With a very different style, the EV4 will be available in two body variants: EV4 saloon (fastback) with four doors and EV4 hatchback with five doors. Both are based on the brand’s E-GMP platform and, besides their design, they also stand apart in their dimensions: 4.73 metres for the saloon and 4.43 metres for the hatchback (an EV3 measures 4.3 metres). The width is 1.86 metres for both, with a height of 1.48 metres.

The wheelbase is as relevant as, if not more so than, the length when compared with an EV3, reaching 2.82 metres, 14 centimetres more than the SUV. As for boot space, the 490 litres claimed by the EV4 fastback are not that far from the EV3, which offers 460 litres, as one might expect given the difference in exterior size, but they allow the EV4 fastback to rank among the best electric saloons of its size in this area. The less positive point is that its shape is not as regular as the EV3’s, and that the lid -it has no tailgate- creates a loading opening with limited height. This should not be a problem in the EV4 hatchback, which has a rear tailgate, although here the 30 cm shorter length is also noticeable in the boot, which “settles” for 435 litres.

Kia EV4 saloon – image gallery

The main advantage of the EV4 saloon over an EV3 is the additional space in the rear seats, which is outstanding; without a doubt, the deciding factor when choosing between the two if you know you will often travel with adult passengers.

One motor, two battery options, up to 630 km of range

Mechanically, the EV4 mirrors the initial EV3 offering, with a single launch variant featuring an electric motor producing 150 kW (204 CV) and the choice of two batteries, with 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh of capacity. Maximum range with the small battery is 430 km for the saloon and 410 km for the hatchback, while with the large battery the figures are up to 630 and up to 590 km respectively.

Top speed is limited to 170 km/h in all versions, and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration is 7.4 seconds with the small battery and 7.7 seconds with the large battery, regardless of body style. As with the EV3, maximum AC charging power is 11 kW, and with DC charging it is possible to go from 10 to 80 percent in half an hour. As is usual in the brand’s electric models, the EV4 also features bidirectional charging, which allows power to be supplied to other external electrical devices.

The interior of the Kia EV4: fully connected

The dashboard design of the EV4 is practically identical to that of the EV3, with the same arrangement of screens one after another: 12.3-inch for the instrument cluster, 5.3-inch for climate control and 12.3-inch for the multimedia system. Dedicated buttons for some of the main functions are also retained, along with features such as the central armrest with retractable tray, the “relax” seat, or the Smart TV solution for enjoying apps such as YouTube or Netflix directly in the car.

Naturally, all the comfort equipment and driver assistance systems available on the EV3 are also present in the EV4, which will likewise be offered in GT Line trim, distinguished by exterior and interior elements that give it a sportier look.

Kia EV4 hatchback – image gallery