The brand-new Kia EV4 has finally arrived

Kia has done it again. After years of quietly going about the business of offering fantastically equipped cars at perfectly reasonable prices, this shouldn't really come as a surprise either. Combining its lengthy experience in the C-Segment - the family hatchback bit of the market – with its astonishing advances in EV technology, we can now reveal the full UK specification of the brand-new Kia EV4.

The Kia EV4 is the brand’s first ever fully electric hatchback, marking the latest step in Kia’s EV strategy, which will see nine new all-electric models launch in the UK by 2030. Kia continues to develop its historically strong presence in the C-segment with a new lease option for anyone looking to go electric.

You can tell from the sleek lines that Kia has designed the EV4 with aerodynamic efficiency in mind.

The swooping, contemporary body not only looks fantastic but it’s also full of clever touches to ensure it slices through the air as efficiently as possible, maximising the range in the process. The versatile hatchback bodystyle also gives it enough interior space to be one of the most practical vehicles in the segment.

The car is based on Kia’s highly acclaimed EV architecture, adapted for the EV4’s low profile and compact bodystyle.

EV4 offers range in excess of 380 miles

With a choice of 58.3kWh standard range or 81.4kWh long range battery packs, and with the ability to travel up to 388 miles on the larger 81.4kWh version, the EV4 represents the first time one of Kia’s EVs has offered a potential range in excess of 380 miles on a single charge.

Regardless of your choice of battery, every EV4 is powered by a 201bhp single front-mounted electric motor.

That’s enough to ensure decent performance, with the EV4 accelerating from 0-62mph in as little as 7.5 seconds, and on to a top speed of 105mph. The 400v technology ensures charging stops are less of a hassle too. The EV4 is able to charge from 10-to-80% in as little as half an hour – it's actually either 29 or 31 minutes depending on which battery pack you have, but half an hour seems like a reasonable compromise.

Following the example of the EV3, EV6 and EV9, Kia will also offer an easy-to-understand three-tier model range:

• ‘Air’,
• ‘GT-Line’
• And ‘GT-Line S’.

As with all of Kia’s EVs, the EV4 comes equipped as standard with a wide range of clever design features and the latest technology.

Extensive standard specification

As standard, all EV4 models will come with LED headlights, heated front seats and steering wheel, climate control and defog system, front and rear parking sensors and reversing camera, and a whole suite of safety and driver assistance systems. The interior also features a three-screen layout consisting of a 12.3-inch driver display, 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen, and 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system. The infotainment system comes with the usual smartphone connectivity and there are plenty of USB-C outlets front and rear too.

A step up from the entry level ‘Air’ trim, the EV4 ‘GT-Line’ boasts a sportier design and appearance as well as some added specification, including electrically adjustable driver’s seat, customisable interior lighting, and a wireless phone charger. Range-topping ‘GT-Line S’ variants go even further, adding a sunroof, heated rear seats, premium relaxation seats in the front, an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system, customisable head-up display, and a power tailgate, amongst many other things.

Order books for the brand-new Kia EV4 opened at the beginning of July so this is one model you can think about leasing right now. Unless that is, you want to wait for Kia to launch the EV4 Fastback version that will follow the hatchback in – Kia's words – “due course”.