Update (May 30, 2025): ‘Pricing & Release’ updated with new details.
While EVs are mostly either SUVs or crossovers, it is refreshing to see low-roof models that are fully electrified. Kia’s first electric sedan, at least globally, and one that is bespoke is the EV4. Currently, it’s available only in South Korea, where it was launched in March 2024.
Recently, we had a chance to see this upcoming U.S. model up close, and here’s everything we found:
Design
The Kia EV4 marks the brand’s first global all-electric sedan, and is designed to look nothing like the K4 or K5. The top-end EV4 GT-Line, which we checked out, stood out with a premium look but a design that may not suit all American tastes. Its profile blends sedan and hatchback cues, appearing elongated with a fastback-style roof and a protruding rear deck that won’t appeal to every buyer.
The vertical headlamps and taillamps are placed at the extreme edges of the car, visible from multiple angles. The front end feels aligned with the rest of Kia’s EV family, particularly the EV3, which we reviewed last year. Glossy black cladding on the fenders and side skirts helps visually break up the body mass. However, the sharply raked rear windshield and the additional black element near the C-pillar, while lending a radically different look, felt like they may hinder rear visibility.
Interior
The EV4 offers a simple, tech-focused space. A nearly 30-inch-wide dual display and two-spoke steering wheel headline the layout. Premium materials, a floating interface, and minimalist surfacing are expected to define the interior experience even in the U.S. Some of the planned features include Digital Key 2.0, ambient lighting, and a dual-zone climate control.
Features & Specifications
The EV4 uses Kia’s 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) which is again shared with the EV3. Two battery options have been confirmed for the U.S. market: a 58.3 kWh unit for the Light trim (235-mile range) and an 81.4 kWh pack for the Wind and GT-Line trims (330-mile range). Note that these figures are Kia estimates.
All versions use a front-mounted 150 kW motor. DC fast-charging enables a 10-80% charge in about 30 minutes. i-Pedal 3.0 and Smart Regenerative Braking aim to improve efficiency. V2L support allows powering external devices. Standard Highway Driving Assist and optional Remote Smart Parking Assist are part of the feature list.
Pricing & Release
Kia America has confirmed that U.S. sales of the EV4 are expected in early 2026. Since production of the sedan is currently planned only in South Korea at Kia’s Autoland Gwangmyeong EVO Plant, the recently instated 25% import tariffs by the Trump administration could make competitive pricing a challenge.
We would expect that a deal is made with South Korea by the end of this year, and in that case, the starting price should duck under USD 40,000. The U.S. lineup will include Light, Wind, and GT-Line trims, with pricing expected to top out at around USD 50,000, offering an alternative to the Tesla Model 3.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
