Kia EV4 Earth review
The relentless march of SUV body styles into every automotive segment and niche has been accompanied by a hollowing out of our once thriving passenger sedan and hatch segments.
Given this, it might seem bold, brave or even reckless to launch a brand-new medium-sized sedan when sales of such vehicles have been in terminal decline for years, but Kia has gone where others fear to tread with its EV4.
The EV4’s key differentiator is that it’s electric and it arrives at a time when there seems to be signs of a faint heartbeat in the passenger sedan and hatch segments that’s being led by electric vehicles.
Tesla has, of course, long kept its faith in the electric sedan segment with the strong-selling Model 3, while the BYD Seal is a more recent arrival, as is the Polestar 2.
Kia EV4 range, variants and pricing
Kia’s EV4 is similar in size to these rivals and comes in a three-variant lineup starting with the Air Standard Range at $49,990, rising to $59,190 for the EV4 Earth Long Range, and topping out with the EV4 GT-Line Long Range at $64,690.
We’re focused here on the Earth Long Range which, as its name suggests, sports a larger 81.4kWh battery versus the entry-level 58.3kWh unit, allowing it to travel an impressive 612km (WLTP) on a single charge.
It’s the longest range yet for any Kia EV and competitive with the BYD Seal Premium (650km) and the base Model 3 Rear Wheel Drive (513km), but not the Model 3 Long Range Rear Wheel Drive’s stellar 750km (WLTP).
The EV4’s 400V electrical architecture enables a maximum DC charge rate of 128kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10-80% in about 30 minutes.
A single front-mounted electric motor is the only powertrain available, developing outputs of 150kW/283Nm. That’s enough to shift the 1,912kg sedan from 0–100km/h in about 7.8 seconds, which is decently but not outrageously quick.
Dynamically, the EV4 shows the benefits of Kia’s well-established local ride and handling development program, with well-weighted and accurate steering, good handling balance and nicely judged ride quality.
Design, technology and infotainment
The distinctive exterior design is characterised by crisp character lines, a shovel nose and contemporary-looking LED headlights. In side profile, the fastback-silhouette includes a steeply angled rear screen that ends in an odd-looking oversized rump.
Inside, the EV4 features a cleanly designed and contemporary-looking interior that errs towards minimalism, but which thankfully retains some traditional switchgear for frequently used features.
The dash is dominated by two 12.3-inch screens separated by a 5.0-inch climate control panel. The underlying software delivers quick processing speed and crisply rendered graphics, with the interface logical and easy to use.
Cabin space and practicality
A long wheelbase ensures generous interior accommodation with comfortable seating for five and a competitive 490 litres (VDA) of luggage space.
Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloys, cloth and synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way powered driver's seat with heating, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and an exterior vehicle-to-load socket.
Notable features the EV4 Earth misses out on versus the GT-Line include a sunroof, powered boot, heated steering wheel, full synthetic-leather seats with front seat ventilation, and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo.
It also lacks some kit that might reasonably be expected at this price point, including wireless phone charging, a 360-degree reversing camera and a head-up display.
Kia EV4 verdict and market position
But the EV4’s above-average range and its excellent ride and handling do make it a worthy contender to established electric medium-sedan rivals.
Specifications
- PRICE: $59,190 (RRP)
- POWERTRAIN: Front-mounted electric motor (150kW/283Nm), front-wheel drive
- BATTERY: 81.4kWh lithium-ion
- RANGE: 612km (WLTP)
- ENERGY CONSUMPTION: 14.9kWh/100km (Combined Cycle)
- ANCAP SAFETY RATING: Five stars (2025)
- WARRANTY: Seven years, unlimited km (vehicle); eight years, 160,000 km (battery)
- FOR: Long range, well priced, polished ride and handling, roomy interior.
- AGAINST: Unusual rear-end styling, limited rear seat headroom, no spare wheel (space-saver), no frunk storage, lacks some key features available on rivals at this price.
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Things to note
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