MOTORING REVIEW: Kia introduces EV4 with two body styles

Kia Ireland has introduced its latest electric car, the EV4, in both hatchback and fastback body styles, with similar specification levels for both and a range of up to 625 kilometres, the longest yet of any Kia vehicle. 

The EV4 hatch marks the beginning of the Korean brand’s electric vehicle production in Europe, as it is produced in their plant at Zilina, Slovakia. Other Kia models produced in Europe include Sportage, Ceed, ProCeed and XCeed. The fastback is produced in Korea. 

The hatchback is designed with handling explicitly tuned for European roads with special focus given to its cornering performance and high-speed stability. 

The hatchback has an athletic profile and sharp lines. The design includes flush door handles that aid aerodynamics. Boot capacity of 435 litres is expandable to 1,251 litres with rear seats folded down. The fastback has a sleek, long silhouette, is longer than its sibling, has vertical rear lights, a dual spoiler, and sits somewhat lower. We figured the larger 490 litre boot would take a man’s golf bag and clubs sideways, but the boot opening is smaller than the hatch. Both versions have the same 1,860mm width. The cars are big on interior space, especially rear legroom. At 4,430mm long, EV4 is longer than competitors VW ID.3, Cupra Born, Peugeot e-308 and Opel’s Astra-e.

READ MORE: 

MOTORING REVIEW: First Drive in Leapmotor C10 family SUV

Three trim levels are offered: Earth 2, Earth 3 and the range-topping GT-Line. The entry car features 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, dual panoramic screens, cloth and leather seats and heated front seats. The Earth 3 adds 19-inch alloys, power adjustable front seats with driver memory function, power tailgate, wireless charging and wireless Android Auto/CarPlay. The GT-Line gains special exterior detailing, full vegan leather seats, a head-up display, a power sunroof, and ten sustainable materials are used in the interior.

The EV4 has a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) but has not yet been tested by Euro NCAP. 

Kia claims best-in-class EV range for the EV4. Batteries are a 58.3kWh standard range and an 81.4kWh long range battery, with a 150kW motor in both. Kia suggests a range of 440 km for the standard battery and 625-633km for the long-range version. The car can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.4 seconds for the standard range and 7.7 seconds for the long range.

Earth 3 and GT-Line are only available with the long range battery pack as is the Fastback version. Energy consumption ranges from 14.3kWh/100km to 15.0kWh/100km. You can fast charge from 10-80 per cent in around 31 minutes. 

(The fastback body style pictured above)

Kia offers a launch deal of 0% finance (PCP & HP), a free home charger, a €500 SuperValu Gift Card, and a Loyalty offer of three free services. 

Kia Ireland sales of 9,528 year-to-date show the brand in 5th position behind Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda and Hyundai. The Irish Managing Director, Seamus Morgan, believes they are on track to achieve 10,000 units before the end of this year. He noted that Kia is now a market leader for electric cars, behind Volkswagen, with the EV3 electric launched here last December now their second biggest volume seller. A new EV5 will arrive mid December priced from €47,625. All Kia cars have a 7-year warranty as standard. 

Priced from €39,940 for the EV4 to €49,075 for the Fastback; the EV5, due mid-December, will be priced from €47,625. Dealers are taking EV4 orders for the January sales period