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Pros: High-quality interior, nice to drive, great range
Cons: Fastback’s challenging looks, larger than most rivals
Having already rolled out a well-received family of electric SUVs, Kia is now turning its attention to the C-segment, a space in the market that remains hugely competitive for both electric and combustion-engined cars. The EV4 comes as a five-door hatchback and a four-door saloon that’s called the Fastback.
Kia EV4 Design
These days, Kia isn’t what you’d call conservative when it comes to design. Its current crop of cars is part of its ‘Opposites United’ design language, but in plain English, these cars look futuristic and like nothing else currently on the market. Not everyone will like that, of course, but many will be drawn to the appeal of a distinctive and contemporary style.
The front halves of the EV4 Hatchback and EV4 Fastback are identical, with low noses and headlights pushed to the farthest edges of the car. That emphasises the car’s stable look and makes it easily identifiable. There will be several specification grades similar to what we’ve seen on the EV3 crossover, but whichever version you choose, there’s little to differentiate the exterior design other than minor trim changes and wheel sizes.
One of the appealing factors of the EV4 is the long range available, especially with the larger capacity battery, and aerodynamics plays a role in enabling that. The bodywork is smooth, with door handles that sit flush when locked, and the Hatchback’s rear is upright. The rear haunches give it a sporty look, and the vertical black bands that run up from the rear doors and over the roof are an interesting design touch.
The rear lights are similar to those up front, with long, thin illuminated elements that almost span the full width of the car. An extended rear spoiler hides the window wiper and the electrically operated tailgate lifts to reveal a 435-litre boot. That can be increased to 1,415 litres by folding the rear seats down.
There’s quite a different silhouette for the EV4 Fastback, measuring 4,730mm in length (300mm longer than the Hatchback), and its look is one that’s sure to divide opinion. A sloping roofline gives it the appearance of a ‘liftback’, but it retains a traditional saloon boot lid that has a wide but narrow aperture. You do get slightly more luggage space, but it’s not quite as usable. As with the front lights, the Fastback’s rear lights are pushed outwards.
Kia EV4 Interior
If you’re unsure of those exterior designs, then you can breathe a sigh of relief when you sit inside the EV4. It’s still modern but takes a more conventional approach. As we’ve seen in other Kias, there’s a single long display piece that actually is made up of two 12.3-inch screens sandwiching a smaller 5.3-inch touchscreen that contains the climate control settings. The way these are all made into one panel looks impressive, and buyers can also specify a 12.3-inch colour head-up display.
There’s a lot packed into the infotainment system, but it’s pleasing to see that not everything is operated by the screen. There are still physical toggles for the climate control (in tandem with the touchscreen), and there’s a bar of haptic shortcuts to quickly get to certain parts of the infotainment system. We also like that there are proper buttons for the heated seats and heated steering wheel, plus several charging options. You get a wireless charging pad on the centre console with high-powered USB-C ports and a 12-volt socket.
The EV4 is longer than many of its direct rivals, and that means the rear passenger compartment is generously proportioned. Both headroom and legroom are in ample supply in both versions of the EV4 and the flat floor means even the middle-seat occupant doesn’t fare too badly.
Kia EV4 Performance & Drive
From launch, there is only one motor available, a 204hp unit that drives the front wheels. Performance is sufficient, with 0-100km/h taking 7.7 seconds. With 283Nm of torque on hand, there’s enough performance in reserve for quick overtakes and generally the Kia covers ground with ease.
The ride comfort is well-judged thanks to a suspension setup that uses frequency-reactive dampers to provide a broad operating window that is comfortable over bumps yet firm enough in the bends to retain a controlled and dynamic experience. These, combined with hydraulic bushings and a multilink arrangement on the rear axle, give the EV4 a very polished feel.
There will likely be two battery options available, with the standard range version using a 58.3kWh pack that will provide a driving range of 440 kilometres for the Hatchback and 456 kilometres for the Fastback. The EV4 Fastback has a more aerodynamic design that results in a slightly longer driving range overall. A long-range battery with an 81.4kWh capacity is also expected.
Kia EV4 Pricing
Irish pricing for the Kia EV4 has not yet been announced, but we expect it to come very soon as the cars are due to launch in Ireland in October. It’s expected that the pricing will run a similar trajectory to the EV3 but increased by a few thousand euros.
Carzone Verdict
It seems that Kia can do little wrong when it comes to EVs these days, and the EV4 continues that trend. While both versions are on the larger side of things for the segment, the overall package is an attractive and appealing one, with positive handling and great range complementing a design that’s modern, matched with a high-quality interior.