(Credit: Kia)
Kia will bring its new EV4 electric sedan to the US in 2026, following initial launches in South Korea and Europe. This is great news for American EV shoppers, as it wasn't guaranteed when the company first unveiled the EV4 concept in October 2023.
Kia did not confirm range or pricing for the US, but says the EV4 will be an affordable sedan, which would put it around $35,000 to $40,000. The range figures on the European WLTP scale run from 267 miles to 391 miles, but we can expect the EPA to rate it slightly lower. We'd estimate around 250 to 350 miles.
(Credit: Kia)It charges in just 30 minutes, and by 2026, the EV will have access to Tesla Superchargers. Kia is working on enabling its entire lineup with these by the spring. The EV can also power your home and devices through its Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality.
Can the EV4 convince Americans to buy sedans again? The market has almost entirely oriented toward the more popular SUVs. There are very few electric sedans on the market, especially affordable ones.
The EV4's main competitors will be the Hyundai Ioniq 6 ($38K, 240-291 mile range) and Tesla Model 3 ($42.5K, 282-363 mile range). Both have been on the market for several years, so perhaps Kia can reignite the segment with a fresh, new option.
(Credit: Kia)Kia's goal for the EV4 is to "broaden EV appeal and help accelerate widespread EV adoption" and usher in a "sustainable future where electric mobility is accessible to all," it says. Although the EV4 looks a lot like the EV6 crossover, it will be at a more accessible price point and presumably a bit smaller.
Tech-wise, the cockpit features a 30-inch, wide-screen display and an innovative storage solution in the center console, pictured below. The dash will offer streaming and connectivity services, such as YouTube and Netflix, presumably with a subscription. Drivers will be able to open the car with a digital key (their phone or Apple Watch).
(Credit: Kia)The car will receive regular over-the-air updates through the driver's mobile phone, a new capability from Kia. "The remote OTA update allows customers to carry out updates remotely via their mobile phones and connect seamlessly with their vehicles," Kia says. "Additionally, the innovative connectivity function also enables customers to take advantage of new display themes, such as NBA and Disney-related content, to customize the vehicle."
In terms of self-driving features, the Kia EV4 will come with a variety of autonomous driving assists and a new version of Kia's "advanced Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2)." The company hopes to qualify the vehicle for top safety ratings, including the five-star US NCAP safety rating and the IIHS Top Safety Pick.
Kia also debuted a hatchback version of the EV4 and the EV2 concept vehicle this week. Both are only slated for a European launch at this point, Car & Driver reports.