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You might be surprised to hear that the 2026 Kia EV4 is the Korean brand’s first all-electric passenger vehicle that isn’t an SUV…
Following the EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9 electric SUVs is the EV4 ‘Sedan’ or ‘Fastback’ depending on where you live – a hatchback is available in Europe, but might not come here due to its exclusively Slovakian production. While the name seems pretty conventional, the design surely isn’t.
Kia’s first rival for the popular Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal looks anything but conventional, with its angular, futuristic lines making it look like something between spaceship and robot companion – at least to me.
Assuming it is Australia’s summer of tennis heats up – as does Kia tradition for its larger new model launches earlier in the year – targeting Tesla and BYD, but just about any other EV that sits in $50,000-$65,000 price range.
It is a 4730mm long, 1860m wide-ranging EV4 that has fewer head to tail than the majority of mid-size SUVs and its 2820mm wheelbase almost limo-like. And so if you don’t take this off as an SUV that has been compromised and is compact with a back seat, then just look at this down.
This is the other headline, as it says that the EV4 has the longest range of any Kia eve on sale. WLTP-certified 612km for Long Range versions, it is not the Model 3 but should be more than enough for most of the models.
On the other hand, we were at the Australian media launch in Melbourne during the 2026 Australian Open for chatting to see whether Kia’s new offering is better than its estimated 70 sales per month.
How much does the Kia EV4 cost?
It is available at $49,990 plus on-road costs for the base Air’s EV4 range and starts out at $64,590 before on road preparations for top-spec GT-Line.
| Model | Price before on-road costs |
| — | — |
| 2026 Kia EV4 Air Standard Range | $49,990 |
| 2026 Kia EV4 Earth Long Range | $59,190 |
| 2026 Kia EV4 GT-Line Long Range | $64,690 |
That places the cheapest BYD Seal and Tesla Model X as well as Kia’s own EV3 and VE5 for entry-level ev4– like you expect.
The entry point is relatively sharp, but the higher spec variants which are given all the good kit (i.e., from China) tend to be on the dearer side of value relative to competition and thus far more important than the traditional one-year-old “in Chinese” version.”
There is no doubt some Australian buyers will be more likely to value buying a larger car or one with an increased range for $60,000, which could be ‘hard on the EV4’.
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
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What is the Kia EV4 like on the inside?
Compared to Kia’s latest products including the EV3 and EV5, there aren’t too many surprises in the EV4’s cabin.
Throughout our time we were at the flagship GT-Line; however, regardless of the type of spec you choose the general layout of interior is the same an pared-back almost Tardis style with a large scale simplicity and space.
Affluent Straight lines and upright fascias dominate the front of the cabin, as is the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (c.NC) infotainment suite – two 12. A 5″ and 3 inches digital displays for the driver and infotainment, as well as 3-inch digital display of the. The Klima Control A touch panel of 0-inch touch panels (augmented with other physical switches on the dash) is used as an additional climate control tool for its own scales, and has been designed to be more accurate than any other temperature-control device.
In the EV4, there is a new Google Engine Search for the navigation system that employs Google to search point of interest (and the like) and also use Google as an example. Kia Connect Services also provides the over-the-air software updates, online navigation, smart voice assistant and remote functions via the smartphone app that is compatible with it.
It’s a good phrase for us to know what we have done with other Kian models, and in our relatively short time with the EV4 we got the infotainment experience snappy, user-friendly and well featured. The majority will probably only use wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto like we did, but there is a lot of embedded functionality if you don’t – it’s also worth noting Kia Connect Services which has been included complimentary for seven years from purchase.
They are quite comfortable, and have fancier seats with net-like mesh head restraints for Earth and GT-Line grades. The GT-Line has a one-touch option of ‘Premium Relaxation’ function that allows the lounge recliner to be available for use with its ‘Premises, I think, whether it is on demand or when you’re waiting at.
The quality of perceived build is solid, with padded plastics and leather-look surfaces scattered throughout the top/mid sections in both the dashboard and doors; while the GT-Line’s dual tone trim features and accent are used to make light on the mood slightly rather than pores only a sea of black or grey.
Kia (noted above) has retained some of the physical toggles and buttons for key functions such as the climate control, a nice touch, supported by haptic touch-type controls below the infotainment system for related shortcuts through the central display. The addition of an volume scroll wheel is also welcomed.
Open-plan design also provides good storage, with a floating centre console offering oddment storage for phones, keys and wallets; low-set toothed cupholders sit ahead of’rubberised wireless phone charger charging’. The centre console bridge and the front-centre armrest, as well as slim door bins are also available for you.
Its long wheelbase makes the EV4 nearly baby-limo in the rear, even if you’re tall like me and front seats feel slightly close to roof – so headroom isn’t as plentiful as you might think.
But legroom and knee room are great – perhaps better than in the same price range of electric competitors – although there is no toe room under the front seats if you have the driver or front passenger seat set to their lowest positions.
That said, I had a lot of room to stretch out behind my preferred driving position (and I’m 6’1′′), without trying and squeeze my toes under the driver’s seat. It’s headroom like I mentioned above that if anything was tight, it was head room.
Similarly, rear passengers receive directional air vents, USB-C power outlets, a fold-down centre armrest with cupholders and bottle holders in the doors of s. The centre console has also a storage room, and map pockets behind the front seats are in maps.
As you’d expect, there are ISOFIX and top-tether points for child seats, too.
In the boot, Kia cites 490 litres of cargo capacity (accessed by an electric lid in the GT-Line) which is handy. Those are up to 90L in the BYD Seal; that’s 104L down on the claimed capacity of Model 3–a.
This funnel-shaped cargo area is not as useful as the squarer boots of a hatchback or wagon; also, the gooseneck hinges may get in order to accommodate bigger objects and can be used for larger items. Nevertheless, it’s good capacity.’ There is no spare tyre under the floor – just a repair kit.
| Dimensions | Kia EV4 Sedan |
| — | — |
| Length | 4730mm |
| Width | 1860mm |
| Height | 1480mm |
| Wheelbase | 2820mm |
| Cargo capacity | 490L |
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
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What’s under the bonnet?
The EV4 is available at launch with just one powertrain and two battery options depending on variant.
| Specifications | EV4 Standard Range | EV4 Long Range |
| — | — | — |
| Drivetrain | Single electric motor | Single electric motor |
| Battery capacity | 58.3kWh | 81.4kWh |
| Battery chemistry | Nickel manganese cobalt | Nickel manganese cobalt |
| Power | 150kW | 150kW |
| Torque | 283Nm | 283Nm |
| Drive type | Front-wheel drive | Front-wheel drive |
| Kerb weight | 1805kg | 1912kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 7.4 seconds | 7.8 seconds |
| Energy consumption (claimed) | 14.3kWh/100km | 14.9kWh/100km |
| Energy consumption (as tested) | – | 12.9-16.3kWh/100km |
| Claimed range (WLTP) | 456km | 612km |
| Max DC charge rate | 128kW | 128kW |
| Max AC charge rate | 10.3kW | 10.3kW |
| Braked towing capacity | 500kg | 1000kg |
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
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How does the Kia EV4 drive?
Our drive program was completely behind the wheel of the GT-Line Long Range so you’ll have to return another time to read our review of Air and Earth.
Initially set in the Docklands of Melbourne, and then snaked through the winding country roads and highways north and north-west of the Victorian capital before our last stop at Daylesford about an hour and a half away.
Hence we tested the EV4 over a mixture of surfaces and driving conditions, such as inner-city roads and streets (inter- city freeways and highways), inter-street freeway and road tests.
Kia Australia has been subject to an extensive local chassis tuning program, under the guidance of engineer and former rally driver Graeme Gambold as is given for all its new models these days, which makes just about every modern Kian model drive like it does on our varied road network.
The Australian-spec EV4 was presented in its product presentation, Kia said the more neutral and balanced handling feel of it is than expected by traditional manufacturers like that (and has an improved dynamic cornering capability), greater steering linearity and response with natural weight and feel.
This is a really like the tuning description for the similarly large K4 sedan. I believe that car rides and handles well – but Mr Gambold did it achieve this when there was an all-electric drivetrain added weight?
A yes is an emphatic yes, the short answer. In fact, Kia has done one on the EV4 so far that it is more efficient and rides than most luxury cars with trick adaptive air-sprung suspension systems (with passive damping), no less.
The BYD Seal does not sometimes feel like the car is wobbly or loose, but there’s a lot of compliance and bump absorption without being as tight/sporty as the great Tesla Model 3.
In town it dreads the streets of pockmarked city with pride, and settles perfectly on the open road in town. The thing is rarely the most annoying, and it provides good insulation from road noise and especially wind sound – although the 19-inch wheels of GT-Line do produce a little road ban at high speed.
The steering is well-balanced and accurate, a good thing for everyday driving. While weighting is lighter, you can tighten everything up by flicking into Sport mode.
The other major focus here is performance, and while the EV4 won’t be giving the Model 3 or Seal any sleepless nights when it comes to the traffic light drag race, there has plenty of go off the line and offers strong acceleration response.
Kia says 0-100km/h acceleration of between 7 and 100 km is under . & 4 and 7 It may take 8 seconds depending on the variant; heavier Long Range variants are slightly longer, with some of the more powerful versions taking a little longer. That is as fast, by the seat of our pants and it’s just overtaken at highway speeds where you might think it a bit underdone.
A faster, dual-motor GT version has been revealed overseas with 215kW and a 0-100km/h claim of 5.6 seconds, but it hasn’t been confirmed for our market yet.
Driver assistance systems are also a positive, with the EV4 offering a well-calibrated and intuitive suite of assists.
Highway Driving Assist combines adaptive cruise and lane centring functions to provide semi-autonomous highway cruising with the help of navigation data, as well as the assisted Lane-change function directly from the $100k EV9 electric SUV.
Unlike many Chinese-badged competitors, the lane-keeping and centring functions feel natural and well calibrated; the variable i-Pedal function for the regen braking provides an array of settings to suit different tastes – although I prefer the Auto setting which allows adaptive reg En via front-facing sensors.
Despite the fact that it all works well, some changes in its lane can be slightly slow. Using the long press of the mute button, it can also disable the (much quieter) bings and bongs for the speed limit assist; as well as the driver attention monitor is not so overzealous as earlier versions of other Hyundai-Kia models with the same feature.
blind-spot assist system, and surround parking cameras.’ The GT-Line only offers Blind Spot View Monitor side cameras to supplement the standard blind – so as well as other LED-Spot monitor (advanced) systems of an automatic driver with GPS in its own car. These aren’t even in the Earth, let alone the Air.’ It’s a shame these don’T have been found on this topic.
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
What do you get?
Three grades of the EV4 are available at launch.
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2026 Kia EV4 Air standard equipment highlights:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Kumho 215/60 R17 tyres
- Tyre repair kit
- Auto reflector-type LED headlights
- Auto high-beam
- Rain-sensing wipers
- Proximity entry with push-button start
- Electronic park brake with auto hold
- Cloth upholstery
- Tilt and telescopic steering column adjustment
- Leatherette-wrapped steering wheel
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 5.0-inch climate control monitor
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay – wireless, wired
- Android Auto – wireless, wired
- Kia Connect Services incl. remote functions
- Over-the-air software updates
- Satellite navigation
- 6-speaker sound system
- Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
- Auto up/down driver’s power window
EV4 Earth adds:
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- Goodyear 215/50 R19 tyres
- Cloth and leatherette upholstery
- Mesh front head restraints
- 10-way power driver’s seat with 2-way lumbar
- Heated front seats
- Electrochromic rear-view mirror
EV4 GT-Line adds:
- Gloss black exterior mouldings, mirror caps
- Projector-type LED headlights
- Intelligent Front Lighting System
- Remote Smart Park Assist
- Power boot-lid
- Sunroof
- Rear privacy glass
- Leatherette upholstery
- ‘Premium Relaxation’ front seats
- Ventilation
- Driver’s memory
- 10-way adjustment
- 2-way lumbar for passenger seat
- 3-spoke steering wheel
- Heated steering wheel
- Wireless phone charger
- 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system
- Head-up display
- Ambient lighting
- Auto up/down front passenger window
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
Is the Kia EV4 safe?
The Kia EV4 has not yet been evaluated by independent safety authority ANCAP, although its sister organisation Euro NCAP gave it four- and five-star ratings in 2025 depending on the variant.
Standard safety equipment includes:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection
- Junction turning and crossing assist
- Direct/oncoming lane change detection
- Evasive steering assist
- Blind-spot assist
- Driver attention warning
- Highway Driving Assist 2
- Intelligent speed-limit assist
- Lane-keep assist
- Lane Following Assist – lane centring
- Leading vehicle departure alert
- Parking sensors – front, rear
- Rear cross-traffic assist
- Rear occupant alert (sensor-based)
- Reversing camera
- Safe exit warning
- Tyre pressure monitoring
EV4 GT-Line adds:
- Blind Spot View Monitor
- Safe exit assist
- Surround-view camera
- Parking Collision Avoidance – Reverse
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
How much does the Kia EV4 cost to run?
It is the brand’s first model in Australia to receive a longer eight-year, 160,000km high-voltage battery warranty and has been covered under Kia Australia’S seven- year, unlimited-kilometre new-vehicle warranty for the EV4.
| Servicing and Warranty | Kia EV4 |
| — | — |
| Warranty | 7 years, unlimited kilometres – Vehicle 8 years, 160,000 kilometres – HV battery |
| Roadside assistance | 7 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 15,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | Up to 7 years |
| Total capped-price service cost | $1929 – 7 years |
Kia’s service plans are three-, five- and seven-year pre-paid servicing programs with a total cost of $688, $1308 and $1929 respectively. That is equivalent to annual averages of $229-$255, depending on the coverage you choose.
Hopefully Kia will start to get on top of its service pricing for EVs, although other brands still offer cheaper servicing over longer periods – Skoda charges similar money for 10 years plan (e.g
To see how the Kia EV4 lines up against the competition, check out our
comparison tool
childcareman.xyz’s Take on the Kia EV4
Polarising looks aside, the EV4 has plenty to offer – though the value equation is very spec-dependent.
It packs all the fruit and is a very high-end product, but its drivetrain performance does not compare to similar Model 3 and Seal variants – it’s fine, though facts are facts.
It is a better value proposition in terms of things, I think that the base Air shapes are more likely to be an attractive option for its scheme of stuff but it looks and feels like ‘base model’ than the more fully featured entry-level variants found in its ranges which were described as being one of the most popular. No Air Long Range variant is also a shame, with an estimated range of 600km-plus for around mid-$55,000 (which would be even more competitive).
But Kia’s new EV space-based entry is very clearly targeted to buyers who are not interested in Teslas or Chinese challenger brands, and those that value the Korean brand more than people attracted to overflowing spec sheets and Ludicrous performance claims of its long-standing market presence and generous aftersales provisions.
And, even better, it’s one of the few non-SUV models in the space that isn’t a luxury car and drives well on big wheels with thin rubber. Is it worth buying over 70 sales a month? Absolutely.
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