Kia EV4 (2025 - )

Kia is most certainly on a roll right now. Long gone are the days when the Korean manufacturer was renowned for its bargain basement cars. These days you can expect top quality vehicles that are generously equipped, dynamically designed, engaging to drive and still competitively priced.
In recent years, the company’s EV line-up has scooped almost every industry award going and now it’s the turn of the striking EV4.
In a slight shift from the norm, the EV4 is not an SUV. Instead it is offered with hatchback styling and even in Fastback guise, which is saloon to you and I.
There are two battery sizes – a 58.3kWh unit that is only available on the entry-level EV4 Air grade with hatchback styling. The Air trim can also be matched to the larger 81.4kWh battery which is fitted as standard to the GT-Line and GT-Line S models. There are just two choices for anyone looking to explore the Fastback route which are GT-Line and GT-Line S, both of which feature the larger battery.
With a driving range of up to 388 miles on a single charge, any range anxiety issues are addressed and the EV4 has a starting price of £34,695, which will be reduced thanks Kia’s Electric Car Allowance, which varies between models and trims.
We tested the EV4 hatchback in top-of-the-range GT-Line S guise on a varied road route.
 

Our front-wheel drive EV4 GT-Line S version featured the larger 81.4kWh battery alongside a single electric motor delivering 201bhp and 283Nm of torque. It could reach 62mph from a standing start in 7.9 seconds and topped out at 105mph, while achieving a WLTP-tested combined range of 362 miles between charges.
Admittedly, there are faster and slightly more engaging EVs out there, but the EV4 is a very rounded package and also scores well when it comes to comfort and refinement. It is nicely balanced when pushed on through twisting country lanes and is an accomplished motorway cruiser too, although a little road surface noise does become noticeable at higher speeds.
There is always ample power on tap to overtake slower moving vehicles and that turn of pace is beneficial when joining a fast motorway from a slip road too.
The impressive all-round visibility and the car’s agility are advantageous in busier town centres and there is a single-pedal driving mode which makes stop-and-go driving effortless. That is just one of the regenerative braking settings which are adjusted via steering wheel paddles and help to recoup energy that would otherwise be lost when slowing down.
Additionally, the car’s handling changes as you flick through the drive modes called Eco, Normal, Sport, MyDrive and Snow, with Sport adding a certain edge to the dynamics. Kia has also introduced two comfort settings that can be activated while the vehicle is being charged. The first is the Rest mode which, when initiated, reclines the front seats, deactivates any dynamic lighting and dims the bright displays. This is perfect for grabbing forty winks and can be set for an allotted amount of time. Additionally, there is the Theatre mode which offers access to the optional entertainment packages that owners can adopt. This allows occupants to watch the likes of Netflix, Disney+ or YouTube while the car is being charged.
 

The Kia EV4 has two very different body designs. The hatchback is certainly more traditional and features the company’s Tiger Nose front end with upright signature lighting. There is a floating roof design, black vertical C pillars, flush door handles, a rear spoiler and lots of GT-Line gloss black finishing, including the door mirrors, wheel arches, window surrounds and side sills. The dynamic look is finished with a sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels. Anyone opting for the Fastback will notice the longer and slightly lower styling which gives the car a more elongated coupe appearance, guaranteed to divide opinion.  
Step inside and the GT-Line S variant boasts a modern, upmarket design with soft-touch surfaces and two-tone artificial leather upholstery that gives the cabin a premium feel. 
A trio of screens spans nearly 30 inches across the dashboard, combining a 12.3-inch navigation touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital driver display plus a 5.3-inch climate control panel. There is even a head-up display to keep a watchful eye on the important figures, such as speed.
On-board technology is plentiful and very simple to master. Expect to find full wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity, Bluetooth, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system, navigation, reversing camera and lots more besides.
There are plenty of physical controls too which we like, along with Kia’s AI assistant which is powered by ChatGPT. This is brought to life by saying: “Hey Kia” and can assist with tasks including plotting navigational routes with points of interest along the way and simpler tasks such as increasing or lowering the temperature.
 

The Kia EV4 in hatchback guise is a practical five-door EV with bundles of room for occupants and luggage alike. It stretches 4,450mm in length, is 1,860mm across, 1,485mm tall and has a wheelbase of 2,820mm. It is slightly taller and a little shorter in length than the Fastback version which boasts more elongated styling cues.
Inside the hatchback, two six footers can sit comfortably up front and both are treated to powered seats that can also be heated or ventilated. And in our range-topping GT-Line S version, the steering wheel and outer rear seats are also warmed for added luxury.
Despite being lower than many SUVs there is ample room in the back for an additional two adults or three youngsters without too many complaints. It’s worth noting that the EV4 Fastback has less headroom so anyone over six foot tall will find their hair brushing against the headlining. But that’s certainly not the case in our hatchback test car.
Additionally, throughout the cabin, you will find numerous practical compartments to safely store bits and pieces. These include a glovebox, door bins, a central cubby, seat back pockets, front and rear cup holders, a wireless charging pad, a large storage area beneath the centre console, some trays and four USB-C ports.
The boot is accessed via a wide opening which is practical for loading heavy or awkwardly-shaped items, such as pushchairs or bicycles and it has a capacity of 435 litres, increasing to 1,415 litres with the split-folding rear seats dropped flat. With its narrower opening, the Fastback is very typical of a four-door saloon when it comes to storage – ideal for suitcases and golf clubs, but a pushchair may be a test too far.
Charging the EV4’s the smaller 58.3kWh battery on the Air grade via an 11kW charger takes 5 hours, 20 minutes for a 10 to 80 per cent boost, or 29 minutes if using a 150kW rapid charger.
The larger 81.4kWh battery takes 31 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 per cent using a 150kW DC rapid charger or 7 hours, 15 minutes via an 11kW wallbox.
Another positive feature is the EV4s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) facility. This is only available on the GT-Line S models, and allows the car to power up external devices, such as such as laptops, camping lights, air pumps, BBQs and lots more.
 

True to Kia’s commitment to outstanding value for money, the EV4 comes generously equipped as standard, leaving little need for any expensive optional extras. The customer simply chooses the model that suits both their requirements and budget and that’s that. 
The EV4 line-up is priced from £34,695 for the Air version with the smaller 58.3kWh battery. The same Air trim with the 81.4kWh battery costs £37,695, while the GT-Line and GT-Line S grades, which are only sold with the larger battery pack, cost £39,395 and £43,895. The GT-Line S can be specified with an optional heat pump that adds a further £900 to the asking price.
The EV4 Fastback range costs £40,895 for the GT-Line model and £45,395 for the GT-Line S, which can once again feature the optional heat pump.
With all versions boasting zero carbon emissions, owners are treated to a range of financial benefits, although these have been cut back or withdrawn by the government this year. For example, they now have to pay road tax, albeit just £10 for the first year, increasing to the standard £195 fee after 12 months. And with many EV4 models costing in excess of £40k they are subject to an Expensive Car Supplement that adds an extra £425 to annual costs from years two to six.
However, for any would-be business owners, the EV4 has an attractive Benefit in Kind tax rating of just three per cent and our EV4 GT-Line S model sits in insurance group 36.
It’s also worth reminding ourselves that Kia offers one of the best warranty packages of any manufacturer. It runs for seven years or 100,000 miles, increasing to eight years for the battery and is fully transferable if the car is sold on.
 

There’s no denying Kia’s remarkable success rate with its multi-award-winning line-up of EVs. The Korean carmaker certainly seems to have the golden touch these days and the EV4 is likely to extend that winning streak.

Buyers have been flocking to snap up SUV-styled EVs and Kia has benefitted from that appeal with excellent EV3, EV6 and EV9 sales figures. But now it is exploring a slightly different approach with its EV4 hatchback and Fastback saloon – the latter of which will certainly appeal to buyers outside Europe.

With an attractive entry price and all trim levels packed with creature comforts and safety kit, the EV4 just could be the model to watch this year.