The all-new and all-electric Kia EV4 will be launched Down Under in January, in conjunction with the Korean brand’s sponsorship of the annual Australian Open tennis Grand Slam.
Unlike the rest of Kia EV-badged electric models so far, the EV4 is a car – not an SUV – and the mid-sizer is already available in the UK and Europe in both five-door Hatch and four-door Fastback (liftback sedan) forms, although it will initially be offered here only in the latter body style.
Positioned alongside the EV5 medium SUV, the EV4 is underpinned by the same 400V version of the Hyundai-Kia E-GMP dedicated electric vehicle architecture as the EV3 small SUV, and offers a driving range of up to 630km on the WLTP cycle when equipped with the available Long Range battery pack.
At launch just a single-motor drivetrain will be offered – a 150kW/283Nm unit driving the front axle. The 4730mm-long and 1860mm-wide EV4 Fastback is roughly the same size as the K4 Sedan, which is currently combustion-powered only. It’s also 10mm longer than a Tesla Model 3, while being 73mm narrower on a 55mm shorter wheelbase.
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Pricing and specification for the Australian market are still to be announced, though we can expect a starting price not too dissimilar to the dimensionally smaller EV3 crossover. In Kia’s home market of South Korea, the EV4 costs just 500,000 won (A$513) more than the EV3 at base level.
The MY26 Kia EV3 currently starts from $47,600 before on-road costs for the entry-level Air Standard Range, climbing to $63,950 plus on-roads for the GT-Line Long Range. Like the EV4, all launch versions of the EV3 are currently single-motor and front-wheel drive.
Such pricing indicates the EV4 could launch in Australia priced from under $50,000, giving Kia a healthy price advantage over the popular Model 3, which currently starts from $54,900 plus on-road costs. The BYD Seal remains the value king in the small-medium electric sedan space, however, with a starting price of $46,990 plus on-roads.
Expect the EV4 Fastback to offer a similar grade walk to the EV3, meaning base Air, mid-spec Earth and top-spec GT-Line trim levels. Vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging functionality and Kia’s i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking system will also feature.
The EV4 Hatch is exclusively produced in Kia’s European factory in Slovakia, whereas the Fastback sedan will be sourced from Korea for Australia.
While not entirely ruled out for an Australian launch, the higher cost of manufacturing and freight, and unfavourable exchange rates, remain factors in establishing a local business case for the EV4 Hatch, including the upcoming GT performance flagship which will be revealed at the Brussels motor show in early January alongside the smaller EV2.
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