Wildly designed, futuristic looks, and some serious electric range, here comes the Kia EV4!
It ticks plenty of boxes right away. It’s loaded with kit, too.
But what’s the EV4 like beyond the spec sheet? We’ve done the legwork to help you decide.
Read on to find out…
Quick Overview
Adviser Rating: 4.6/5
Kia is pushing hard, and the EV4 is proof of that. It’s boldly styled, packed with features, and delivers some serious range.
The driving experience is not quite what we expected, but it’s not bad either. It feels smoother rather than sporty. Switching on Sport mode adds a bit more feel, but it doesn’t quite make the cut. If you want serious performance, we’d suggest the BYD Seal.
The hatchback will likely take most of the sales, but for some, the saloon will make more sense. It’s still early days, and we’ll need to see how it performs over time in terms of reliability. But on paper, it looks solid.
Pros:
- Striking, modern design
- Impressively comfortable
- High-quality and user-friendly interior
Cons:
- Driving experience lacks engagement
- Reliability still unproven
Trims & Pricing
Kia EV4 has made a very well-thought-out range. We really liked it. There are a total of five trims and two body styles available. Let’s break them down.
Trims are as follows:
- Air (Hatchback)
- GT-Line (Hatchback)
- GT-Line S (Hatchback)
- Fastback GT-Line (Sedan)
- Fastback GT-Line S (Sedan)
The entry-level EV4 Air has two battery options. The 58.3 kWh version, priced at £34,695 and delivers a range of 273 miles. Then there’s the 81.4 kWh version, priced at £37,695, and range improves to 388 miles, which is the best in the line-up.
Moving to the GT-Line, priced from £39,395, you’ll get:
- 19-inch alloys
- Wireless phone charging
- Digital key
- Sportier styling
Having said that, Range slightly drops to 362 miles, since it has larger wheels and added kit.
Above that, the GT-Line S trim, priced from £43,895, adds:
- Sunroof
- Harman Kardon speakers
- Ventilated seats
- Surround view monitor
There’s also a version with a heat pump available for approximately £44,795.
Then there are Fastback variants, which are sedans, comes only with the larger battery and GT-Line trims. The main difference between the Fastback and other variants is that Fastback is a sedan body type. The standard GT-Line Fastback starts from £40,895, and has a range of 380 miles.
The top-spec GT-Line S Fastback is £45,395, or £46,295 with the heat pump. Equipment mirrors the regular GT-Line S.
All in, the EV4 line-up is simple to understand and well throughout. You choose between two body styles, two batteries (on hatch only), and 5 trims.
Everything sits clearly on the spec sheet and within a tightly controlled price band.
That keeps things refreshingly straightforward, which, in this segment, is a welcome change.
Exterior Design
Adviser Rating: 4.8/5
You don’t glance at the EV4. You stare. This is a car designed to be noticed, with modern, clean proportions and sharp lines that catch the light in just the right places.
The front is dominated by Kia’s updated EV Tiger Face and vertically stacked headlamps. It stands tall, confident, and unapologetically different.
Flush door handles and a low-slung roofline help reduce drag, but they also give the shape real purpose.
At the rear, a long-tail design pushes the overall length and contributes to a best-in-class drag coefficient of just 0.23.
There’s a hint of Lamborghini in the way the windscreen and bonnet sit almost parallel. The vertical light units and upright C-pillar trim reinforce the EV4’s wide stance and sculpted character.
As the shock fades, the details take over. You find yourself tracing the creases and contours. It’s the sort of design you want to walk around slowly.
Interestingly, the saloon wasn’t planned from the start. Kia’s design chief, Habib, said it began as a hatch and the idea of a saloon came later.
The saloon adds 30 cm in length, bringing the total to 4,730 mm, which is slightly longer than a Tesla Model 3.
That stretch gives the profile a planted, elegant look that feels entirely intentional.
Performance and Drive
Adviser Rating: 4.2/5
The Kia EV4 shares much of its technical base with the EV3, including its 400V E-GMP platform and 201bhp front-mounted motor.
However, there’s a subtle shift here in terms of driving feel. And it’s mostly down to how it settles on the road. Unlike EV3, the EV4 has a rather lower driving position, thereby creating a more connected, car-like experience. More noticeable, in city driving, where it darts through gaps and holds the road with a bit more conviction.
Acceleration is swift. As per the official figures, the 0–62mph sprint takes between 7.4 and 7.7 seconds, depending on battery and body style.
Both battery options, 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh, get the same 209lb ft of torque, hence performance does not change much.
Having said that, Sport mode sharpens throttle response and steering weight noticeably. As we see some cars, like the BYD Atto 3, include a sport mode. But it barely changes anything beyond a lit-up icon.
Power delivery is smooth and predictable. The throttle calibration is well judged, and you always seem to get the shove you’re expecting.
Regenerative braking is easily adjusted via paddles. One-pedal driving is available, and like most Kia’s, it’s intuitive and fuss-free.
Ride comfort leans soft, thus it glides over potholes and expansion joints without trouble. Grip levels are ample for daily use, even though this is not a car that invites you to push hard.
Steering feels precise, but there’s a slight springiness just off-centre that may take a moment to adjust to. A European-specific chassis tune is planned, so some handling traits may evolve before it reaches UK buyers.
Range, Charging & Tax
Adviser Rating: 4.5/5
Kia EV4 has two battery choices, either 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh.
The hatchback returns up to 255 miles with the smaller battery and 367 miles with the larger one.
Fastback (saloon) versions do better, managing 267 miles and 391 miles respectively.
The 81.4 kWh saloon offers the longest official range at 391 miles, though the figure drops slightly depending on spec.
Having said that, these are WLTP numbers, and claimed range could vary depending on body styles and trims.
In real world conditions, we saw about 350 miles on a warm day.
We’d say efficiency is definitely better than the EV3.
Moving to charging performance, it is solid. The EV4 supports DC charging at up to 150kW. On a fast charger, a 10–80% top-up takes around 30 minutes. That should suit most drivers using public infrastructure.
Tax-wise, every trim remains under the £47,000 threshold. That keeps Benefit-in-Kind rates low for company car users. All versions also offer an optional heat pump on top trims. It’s useful for preserving winter range, though it adds to the price. Hence, it’s worth weighing up based on your typical usage.
Interior & Tech
Adviser Rating: 4.7/5
Step inside the EV4, and you can see it builds on the EV3’s strong foundation.
The cabin is spacious, practical, and loaded with thoughtful features.
Front and centre is a wide 30-inch digital display. Which is exactly not a fully 30-inch display. Rather, it combines a 12.3-inch driver cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a 5.3-inch panel for climate controls.
It’s crisp, well-laid out, and easy to read on the move. There’s also a gear selector mounted on the steering column to free up console space.
Kia has gone for a minimalist design, but it hasn’t taken things too far. Major functions still have proper buttons and switches, all placed where you’d expect. We really appreciate that. As it’s rare to find nowadays in cars that focus on minimalistic design. Mostly we are seeing everything getting buried into the touchscreen, which is really distracting when driving.
Quality-wise, materials feel solid and well-chosen throughout.
The centre console slides, the armrest rotates, and ambient lighting brings a nice sense of occasion.
Higher trims include premium relaxation seats with memory and ventilation functions. Kia also adds theatre and rest modes, useful on long stops or charging breaks.
Space is generous in both rows, and visibility is helped by the flat bonnet and wide windscreen.
An AI assistant is included on all versions. You can press a button on the wheel, say “Hey Kia,” and use voice commands to adjust the cabin, plan routes or control media. It’s quick to respond and easy to use.
A Harman Kardon sound system tops off the package in GT-Line S models. It adds depth and clarity to the audio experience without being overpowering.
All in, the EV4 finds a smart balance between modern tech and everyday usability. Nothing feels overdone, just well-executed.
Space, Practicality, & Comfort
Adviser Rating: 4.6/5
Space is a strong suit in the EV4, whichever version you choose. There’s generous legroom in both rows, facilitated by a nearly flat floor that makes the rear feel exceptionally open. The saloon might look sort of low-lying, however, it never feels cramped.
GT-Line featured ribbed seat upholstery, which looked smart and felt properly comfortable.
Higher trims also feature relaxation seats with theatre and rest modes, practical for longer journeys or when charging. USB-C ports are provided for both rows, which keeps things convenient on the move.
The boot space is another area where the saloon stands out. It offers 490 litres of capacity versus the hatchback’s 435 litres.
It’s wide at the opening and narrows slightly toward the back seats, but there’s enough room to load a full set of golf clubs horizontally.
Furthermore, it’s also worth noting the saloon is quite a bit longer than the hatch. That extended rear adds 30 cm to the total length, making it longer than the EV6.
You notice the difference when parking, but it pays off in luggage space and visual presence.
We’d say that Kia has managed to keep the EV4 practical without losing sight of comfort.
Nothing feels compromised or over-styled, it just works.
Reliability & Safety
Adviser Rating: 4.5/5
As of writing, the EV4 has not yet been tested by Euro NCAP. But it seems to us, Kia is aiming for a five-star rating.
The platform is reinforced, and the car includes a full set of airbags, front, side, curtain, and rear, throughout all variants.
More importantly, the level of safety tech is high even on the base model.
Below are the safety features comes as standard:
- Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0
- Smart Cruise Control with Stop & Go
- Lane Keep Assist
- Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance
Higher trims add systems like a 360° surround view camera, Remote Smart Parking Assist, and Highway Driving Assist 2.0.
There’s also Safe Exit Warning, Driver Attention Monitoring, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and ISOFIX points in the rear.
It’s a car that’s clearly been set up to actively help you avoid trouble on the road.
As for reliability, it’s too early to say. The EV4 is new, and there’s no long-term data yet. We’ll be keeping a close eye on how it performs over time.
Still, Kia’s 7-year/100,000-mile warranty gives peace of mind.
That includes the electric motor, charging unit, and power control systems.
The battery is covered separately for eight years or 100,000 miles, with a guarantee to retain at least 70% of its original capacity.
It’s still the benchmark warranty in this segment, and it transfers to the next owner too.
Our Verdict
The EV4 is boldly styled, easily one of the best-looking cars in this segment. And it’s not just design; the tech, interior, and range are all seriously impressive.
Having said that, the driving experience is not as engaging as we expected, but not a dealbreaker either.
The hatchback will likely be the stronger seller, however, the saloon stands firmly on its own.
We still need time to judge long‑term reliability. But on first contact, this feels like one of the more considered and interesting EVs to launch recently. It’s also one of the few that gives the Tesla Model 3 a genuine reason to look over its shoulder.
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