Kia EV4: Tesla Model 3 rival locked in for Australia

After rolling out a range of electric SUVs, Kia is now planning to launch an electric sedan in Australia.

The Kia EV4 – of which the exterior design was revealed earlier this month – has now been detailed at its reveal in Barcelona at the brand’s EV Day.

“Kia Australia is pleased to confirm the EV4 will join the range of Kia’s battery electric vehicle models in Australia. Further information regarding timing, variants, features, and pricing will be announced in due course,” said a spokesperson for Kia Australia.

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It appears unlikely we’ll get the hatchback here, however.

Kia refers to the EV4 hatchback as being ‘Europe-only’, and it’ll be produced in Slovakia. The sedan will be produced in Korea, and it’ll go on sale there in March.

The company says the EV4 uses the E-GMP platform, which also underpins the likes of the EV6 and EV9. It features MacPherson strut front suspension and a multi-link set-up with coil-over units at the rear.

It also features frequency-responsive valves for its dampers, which along with ‘hydro G’ suspension bushing gives what Kia claims to be reduced noise and vibration and improved ride comfort.

There’s a choice of two battery sizes, but just one 150kW front-mounted electric motor. Given Kia has previously pledged to offer hotter GT versions of all its electric vehicles (EVs), however, a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration could come in an EV4 GT.

Kia has taken efficiency seriously, and the EV4 has an aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.23, aided by full underbody covers.

Range is up to 630km on the WLTP cycle, better than a base Tesla Model 3 RWD (513km) and narrowly beating the Long Range AWD (629km).

Inside, the 2023 Concept EV4’s interior has made the transition to production with few changes.

There’s still a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and a 5.3-inch climate screen, as well as a split-level centre console.

While the overall layout is essentially identical, the production EV4 has gained some physical switches, while the ambient lighting has been adjusted and the concept’s peach interior colourway and patterned centre-console insert are gone.

Over-the-air updates can be carried out remotely via their mobile phones, while Kia says there are “new display themes, such as NBA and Disney-related content” available to allow you to customise the vehicle.

The so-called Vehicle Smart TV solution allows you to watch YouTube, Netflix and Disney+ in the EV4, and also play games and sing karaoke.

There are selectable interior modes. Rest Mode adjusts the ambient lighting and front-row ‘relaxation seats’, while Theatre Mode “optimises settings” for the 30-inch-wide screen display, ambient lighting, and sound system.

Other available features on the EV4 include:

• Automatic high-beam
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Digital Key 2.0, allowing you to unlock the vehicle via smartphone or Apple Watch
• 12-inch head-up display
• 8-speaker sound system (unbranded or Harman/Kardon)
• Ambient lighting
• Kia AI Assistant

The look of the EV4’s exterior is identifiably 2020s Kia, without looking entirely derivative of, say, the combustion-powered K4 or electric EV5.

The sedan has a fastback profile with a steeply raked rear window, while the boxy hatchback has a glasshouse that gets slimmer towards the rear of the vehicle, before terminating at a bolt upright D-pillar treatment.

While Kia says the EV4 features 215/60R17 tyres, it has also confirmed the EV4 GT-Line rides on 19-inch alloys. It’s unclear what impact if any this has on range.

All EV4 models feature prominent black cladding, giving the sedan and hatch a rather SUV-like appearance, as well as flush door handles.

Drivetrains and Efficiency

It features an 11kW on-board charger, supporting both single-phase and three-phase AC inputs.

Vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality allows you to power appliances, while the EV4 will also feature vehicle-to-grid (V2G) capability where this technology is supported.

The EV4 features Kia’s i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking system, and will remember your selected regen setting.

Dimensions

The EV4 sedan is around 10mm longer than a Tesla Model 3, but 73mm narrower on a 55mm shorter wheelbase.

Safety

Kia is targeting a five-star Euro NCAP rating. Safety features on the EV4 include:

• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2 (autonomous emergency braking)
• Navigation-based adaptive cruise control
• Blind-spot assist
• Blind-Spot View Monitor
• Driver attention warning
• Highway Driving Assist 2
• Lane-keep assist
• Lane Following Assist 2 (lane centring)
• Rear cross-traffic assist
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Safety Exit Assist
• Surround-view camera
• Front, rear and side parking sensors