At the EV Day 2025 in Tarragona, Spain, Kia revealed two new electric vehicles: The EV4 sedan and the EV4 hatchback. As their nomenclature suggests, these compacts are the smaller siblings to the existing EV9, EV6, and EV5 electric cars. The EV4s are Kia’s first electrified sedan and hatchback, targeting customers looking for non-SUV body types.
Said Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song: “Kia EV Day shows our vision for a sustainable future where electric mobility is accessible to all. The EV4 embodies that vision perfectly as a statement of our commitment to innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and a connected driving experience that excites and inspires. The EV4 marks a significant step forward in our electrification journey, offering advanced technology and a choice of body styles for drivers seeking a seamless transition to electric mobility."
Thanks to technological progress, the EV4s deliver outstanding range, with the sedan offering slightly better distance overall. There are two battery options available for each body type: a 58.3kWh standard battery and a 81.4kWh long-range battery. In the sedan these batteries can do 430km and 630km, respectively. The batteries have slightly lesser ranges in the hatchback body, doing 410km and 590km.
The EV4s can charge from 10% to 80% in about 30mins—and that’s for both batteries, with the long-range battery taking just two minutes more. That’s a decent time for charging; about the length of a coffee break. For easier access, the charging port is located in the front fender.
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Once charged, owners can take advantage of the EV4s’ Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) capability. V2L is the ability to charge home appliances, camping equipment, and even parts of the home during power interruptions. V2G is the ability to give power to the grid. You see, in some countries there is a setup that allows owners to sell excess power from their EVs back to the grid.
In terms of performance, the EV4s are predictably fast. The electric motor produces 201hp and 283Nm of torque, enough for 0-100kph in 7.4 seconds for the regular battery, and 0-100kph in 7.7 seconds for the long-range battery. All EV4s have a top speed of 170kph.
To give the EV4s a comfortable ride, Kia installed an EV-specialized MacPherson strut design, assisted by a multi-link setup and coilovers in the rear. Combined with ‘SFD3’ frequency-response valves in the suspension dampers and hydro G suspension bushing, the result is reduced noise and vibration and improved ride comfort.
In the cabin, the highlight is the 30-inch screen. It sounds massive, and it is, but it’s actually composed of three screens with different functions. Two 12.3-inch screens nestle a 5.3-inch screen between them. The complicated software needed to run these systems can be updated over-the-air (OTA). Kia says the whole screen can be utilized for YouTube and Netflix content.
The massive screen complements a feature Kia calls Rest Mode, where the “front-row relaxation seats” and mood lamp create a “comforting atmosphere.” The EV4 cabins have a very homey vibe, reminiscent of the clean interior layout of the EV9, but airier. Rest Mode should be good for those who want to, er, rest inside their EV4 while it’s being charged.
Of course the EV4 has all the latest ADAS tech: driver attention warning, forward collision avoidance, lane following assist, intelligent speed limit assist, and remote parking assist entry. A 12-inch heads-up display helps drivers maintain road eye contact, supplying vehicle speed and navigation guidance along the way.
In the event of a bad accident, Kia says the roof can withstand more than five times the vehicle’s weight. Curiously, there was no curb weight provided in the manufacturer material. Still, the EV4 is designed to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating and five-star US NCAP score.
Even before the EV4 twins were unveiled, I was already expecting to like the hatchback body more, because hatchbacks are simply the best car body types in the world. But in the metal, and this is subjective of course, the sedan looks sleeker and more elegant. The hatchback EV4’s rear end seems to end abruptly. The EV4 sedan is reminiscent of the 10th-generation Civic, with an almost-fastback form.
But both EV4s look good, with their low nose, vertical headlamps, and the Tiger Face design language. The sharp edges give a robotic vibe, eschewing the overly smooth surfaces that have become the rage lately.
Interestingly, the EV4s will be built in different factories. The sedan will be made in Kia’s Autoland Gwangmyeong EVO Plant in Korea, while the hatchback will be produced only in Slovakia. Production will begin mid-March for the sedan, while the hatchback will start production in the second half of this year.
The Kia EV4, in any body style, has not been confirmed for the Philippine market. Kia Philippines says it is still discussing the feasibility given the cost of EVs. With our tax structure and shipping costs, importing from Korea, thus the sedan, will be the more affordable option. We hope they both make it here, as there aren’t a lot of stylish sedan or hatchback EVs in the market right now.
Kia has shown that it can make EVs attractive with its big electrified SUV/crossover models. The EV4s prove that the sexiness, practicality, performance, and electrification can exist in smaller, more affordable bodies.
More photos of the Kia EV4 sedan and hatchback:
