Kia EV4: first look at the hatchback and Fastback for Portugal

Over the past 20 years, Kia’s commitment to the European market has been clear. Its factories, development centres and even a handful of models aimed almost exclusively at Europe are evidence of that focus. According to the brand, this approach is here to stay.

With the new Kia EV4, the hatchback version (two-box, five-door) will become Kia’s first electric car built in Europe, produced at the Žilina plant in Slovakia. The Fastback (three-box, four-door) will be manufactured in South Korea. Both are due to reach the Portuguese market before the end of the year.

In this video, we highlight the key talking points of the new EV4 - and we already have a favourite. It’s not hard to guess which:

We’ll be able to drive it soon. Our expectation is that this model can tick every box: nimble around town and capable enough for longer journeys.

A kind of electric Volkswagen Golf

Sitting in the small family-car segment, the new Kia EV4 is positioned as a sort of “electric equivalent” to the Volkswagen Golf.

Yes, arguably the more obvious comparison would be the Kia Ceed. However, unlike the EV4, the Ceed’s future is somewhat uncertain - European production in Žilina ended in May, specifically to make room for EV4 production. Comparing it to one of Europe’s best-selling cars better reflects the ambitions Kia has for the EV4.

Sticking with small family cars, the dimensions look well judged: lengths of 4430 mm (hatchback) or 4730 mm (Fastback), a width of 1860 mm, and a wheelbase of 2820 mm. The boot matches the EV4’s family brief too: 435 litres and 490 litres, respectively.

The best tech from the Hyundai/Kia Group

Kia hasn’t held back on the engineering. The EV4 uses the same platform found in the EV6 and EV9: the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP architecture. Here it comes in a more compact package, but still large enough to house two battery options with a driving range that should place it among the leaders in its segment.

The EV4 will be offered with two batteries: 58,3 kWh and 81,4 kWh. WLTP range spans from 410 km to 560 km for the hatchback, and can reach up to 630 km for the Fastback. What both share is the motor setup: a single unit mounted on the front axle, delivering 150 kW (204 cv).

Unlike its larger “siblings”, which use 800 V electrical systems, the E-GMP implementation in the EV4 stays with 400 V. Even so, it only needs between 29 minutes and 31 minutes to charge from 10% to 80% (direct current). It also continues to support bidirectional charging (V2L and V2G).

When does it arrive and how much does it cost?

The Kia EV4 is already available for pre-order in Portugal, with the official launch scheduled for September. The five-door EV4 hatchback will come in three versions: Drive (58,3 kWh), Tech (81,4 kWh) and GT-Line (81,4 kWh). The EV4 Fastback will be sold in a single version: GT-Line with the 81,4 kWh battery.

Prices start at 36 700 euros:

For businesses, the EV4 is available with a base price of 30 886 euros (+ VAT), while the Fastback version starts at 38 203 euros (+ VAT).