- The Kia EV4 will come with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh battery packs, offering different range options for buyers.
- Kia will release the EV4 in both sedan and hatchback versions, expanding its appeal to a broader market.
- Both single-motor and dual-motor configurations are expected, with an all-wheel-drive version also in development.
Update 11/9: Kia’s EV4 prototype has been spotted once again, this time putting in laps on the Nürburgring as the brand continues to refine its latest electric offering. Interestingly, the hatchback version of the EV4 has also been making cameo appearances stateside, raising some interesting questions about its broader market ambitions. That said, there’s still no official word on whether the hatchback model seen here will find its way to North American showrooms. Along with fresh spy photos, we’ve gathered new details on the EV4’s interior, production plans, and expected launch timeline.
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What will it look like?
Kia has stripped away some of the bulky cladding and camouflage from its latest prototype of the EV4 compact hatch, providing us with an excellent opportunity to see the car’s production-spec bodywork in the flesh. As we’d long suspected, it looks extremely similar to the concept unveiled last year.
Oftentimes, concept cars are launched with crazy, over-the-top designs that are heavily diluted down for the road. That’s not the way Kia rolls, at least not in recent years. For example, the Kia EV9 shares most of its dramatic design with the concept that previewed it as do the smaller EV3 and EV5 SUVs. It’ll be the same with the EV4 that will be available in both hatchback and four-door sedan bodystyles, depending on the market.
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The front end of this prototype scooped at the ‘Ring has a black lower grille and a set of dramatic headlights that run vertically and include bold LED daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the EV looks almost identical to the concept and even rocks the same black and silver wheels designed to look like they’re triangular. The roofline of the road-going hatch model does appear to hit slightly higher than the concept, hence why the side windows stand a little taller.
Kia’s concept car looks continue across the rear fascia where there is a large spoiler stretching out from the roof. Interestingly, Kia is readying both sedan and hatch versions of the EV4, but only ever showcased a concept of the sedan. This means the rear fascia of this hatch prototype is much taller than the concept. Additionally, it also seems to have received a pair of bespoke taillights that’ll be different from those of the sedan version.
What about the interior?
While we haven’t yet had the opportunity to peek inside the EV4 hatchback just yet, recent spy shots of the sedan version give us a good idea of what to anticipate. The dashboard leans heavily on the playbook established by Kia’s EV3 SUV sporting a massive glass panel that flows seamlessly from the driver’s side to the far edge of the center console.
This minimalist setup houses a dual-screen system, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a matching 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Sandwiched between these displays is a compact 5.3-inch climate control screen, delivering essential HVAC data without cluttering the design.
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Below this floating display panel lies a control strip with a touch-sensitive interface offering shortcuts to key functions like Home, Media, and Map. Breaking up the haptic monotony is a drum-style volume control, providing at least one point of tactile interaction in an otherwise screen-heavy setup. Expect features like wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and likely ChatGPT-powered voice control making an appearance across the entire EV4 lineup.
What about performance and range?
Beneath all that sharp sheet metal, the Kia EV4 is expected to ride on the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform, the same advanced 800-volt architecture that underpins the EV3, EV6, and EV9. This distinguishes it from the EV5, which relies on the less sophisticated 400-volt N3 eK platform. The EV4 will share battery options with the EV3, offering 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh configurations, and at least 300 miles of range (+480 km).
In all likelihood, the EV4 will offer the same battery configurations as the EV3, with 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh options, and an entry-level version powered by a single electric motor pushing out 201 hp. A more muscular, dual-motor all-wheel-drive variant is also on the cards for those who need extra punch.
When will it go on sale?
Both the EV4 sedan and hatchback are set to make their world debut in the coming months, with a global rollout scheduled to begin in the second half of the year. However, some markets may have to wait until early 2026 to see the compact models. For the European market, production of the EV4 will take place at Kia’s upgraded manufacturing plant in Žilina, located in northwestern Slovakia.
The EV4 is part of a bigger EV plan
Kia has been aggressively expanding its electric vehicle lineup, with the EV4 being a key component in a much larger strategy. Under the company’s updated “Plan S,” Kia aims to launch 15 fully electric models and six new hybrids by 2027, cementing its place as a global EV contender. This plan spans everything from affordable urban vehicles to high-performance SUVs. Positioned in the middle of this range, the EV4 will provide a more accessible entry point to Kia’s electrified future, playing a pivotal role in the brand’s goal of selling 1.6 million eco-friendly vehicles annually by 2030.
Additional reporting by John Halas
