Kia electrical composition needs little introduction as the South Korean marque has made waves around the world with its simply named but very different range of SUVs, sedans and hatchbacks.
It all started with Let's EV6which combined sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs into one divisive but ultimately very popular package, and then expanded it to include one of The world's first electric seven-seat SUV EV9.
There are gaps that need to be addressed, including the much-hyped EV2 city car and this is… the EV4 hatchback.
Building on the success of the Tesla Model 3, Kia wanted to create an electric car that could compete in the UK and other European countries where SUVs haven't fully caught on… yet.
The humble hatchback has traditionally sold well in these countries, but Kia wanted to hedge its bets by offering the EV4 in both hatchback and Fastback sedan versions. The latter has a long rear and one of the largest load capacities in the world, but it won't win many beauty pageants.
The hatchback, on the other hand, is a low, slender five-door with sharp exterior lines that are both eye-catching and a little crazy. It's sure to turn heads and divide opinions on the road.
Victory Formula
Kia's E-GMP platform now underpins the entire range of electric vehicles, which share the same powertrains and battery technologies. The EV4 is closely related to the more upright and boxy EV3, so it comes with a 58.3 or 81.4 kWh battery.
There's no 800V electric charging architecture like that found on the EV6 and EV9, but those are more expensive offerings, so customers here have to make do with 400V.
This isn't exactly a compromise, as the EV4 can be charged between 10% and 80% using a 150kW charger in just 29 minutes, which is typical for an EV costing around £35,000 (about US$46,000 / AU$71,000) for the base model.
Spend a little more and the larger battery charges in almost the same time, but on a full charge it's good for an impressive 388 miles. This is made possible through a series of aerodynamic enhancements and careful tuning of the electric drivetrain, air conditioning and power electronics for maximum efficiency.
You'll also want to check those maximum range figures, because the EV4 is a very convenient and enjoyable place to build up your range. The front seats are plush in all the right places, and the brand's cloth headrests are among the best in the industry.
In short, this electric hatchback challenges the run-of-the-mill SUVs with its bold design, smooth ride and excellent practicality – no easy feat.
More fun than an SUV
It's very difficult to make a true electric hatchback these days, simply because the battery packs have to be hidden in the floor, which either increases the ground clearance or the driving position… or both.
In the EV4, it's the driving position that's not quite up to the task, as in the Volkswagen Golf or ICE-powered Seat Leon, as it still feels too high. But this is nitpicking, because the drive is still cool.
While electric SUVs tend to feel bloated and roll around corners (unless you buy Porsche), EV4 brings a smile to the right corner. It's not a pocket rocket, making just 201 hp. (a rather modest thing in today's world of crazy electric cars) but it feels plenty fast on UK roads.
Torque is rated at 283Nm, meaning it gets off the line quickly, and the official 0-100km/h acceleration time is between 7.5 and 7.9 seconds depending on battery size.
But overall the EV4 is designed to be fantastically comfortable on a variety of road surfaces, over potholes and generally quiet and composed in most situations. Simply put, it is a very pleasant place to live.
Technology is getting better
Kia's infotainment offering has slowly and quietly improved with the launch of each new EV-badged product, and the EV4's 12.3-, 12.3- and 5.3-inch combo displays are among the smartest from the brand so far.
These clear, easy-to-use screens pair perfectly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but also offers a variety of built-in apps. These include things like Netflix, Disney+, gaming, and in-car karaoke if that's your thing.
In fact, there's a special “Theater Mode” that dims the interior lighting and optimizes the central 12.3-inch display for watching TV or movies via one of the previously mentioned streaming services. Of course, when it's parked.
The EV4 is also the first car since the EV3 to feature Kia's new voice assistant, which is powered by ChatGPT and aims to provide a more natural, conversational interaction with the car.
It can take care of key functions and settings, and now also helps you navigate Google Attractions to give advice such as the cheapest places to park or the best things to see and do in the area.
This integration is first seen on Kia and it works well as Google Points of Interest also contains key information such as parking, opening hours and prices in places we usually visit.
How do you get with TeslaKia also offers a digital key that can work with both Android and Apple smartphones, which automatically unlocks the car when approached. This also works on Apple Watchfor those who can't even wait to take their phone out of their pocket.
It's a very refined package that combines pleasing styling with a fantastically comfortable ride.
It's also highly priced, beating the more expensive Model 3 in both refinement and uniqueness, but offering more fun than something like the VW ID 3 or the cheaper MG 4.
First of all, it's nice to see a car company for once releasing something that isn't a completely generic and completely soulless electric SUV.
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