The EV4 is an enchanting proposition. Aimed straight on the Tesla Mannequin 3, it’s a small(ish) electrical sedan set to reach subsequent yr, in a world dominated by crossovers. Why would Kia convey a four-door EV Stateside when fashionable opinion suggests the physique type is dying? Properly, it isn’t dying—no less than not at Kia. The corporate’s equally sized, gas-powered K4 was its best-selling automobile in January.

After a while behind the wheel, that proposition is much more convincing. Whereas the EV4’s styling would possibly elevate eyebrows from onlookers, it’s an exceedingly nice factor to drive. Although not terribly sporty or speedy, the electrical sedan offers ample consolation, strong vary, and a large assortment of helpful options, all for an affordable worth (no less than, we predict it’ll be reasonably priced—Kia hasn’t launched pricing simply but).

When the Kia EV4 arrives in North America at first of 2026, consumers could have a alternative between two battery sizes: 58.3 kilowatt-hours or 81.4 kilowatt-hours. Regardless of which you select, the battery pairs with a single permanent-magnet motor mounted underneath the hood, spinning the entrance wheels. It makes 201 horsepower and 208 pound-feet of torque—not groundbreaking by any means, however sufficient to get the automobile in control in an affordable trend.

Like most EVs within the Hyundai and Kia household, the EV4 rides on the conglomerate’s Electrical-International Modular Platform (E-GMP). It’s a confirmed skateboard-style chassis that’s seen a lot success in automobiles just like the Ioniq 5 and the Kia EV9. However whereas these automobiles run on an 800-volt structure, the EV4 and its sister automobile, the EV3 crossover, use a 400-volt format. Kia says that is to realize a pleasant steadiness between charging occasions, vary, and efficiency, however actually, it’s simply to maintain prices down.

Fashionable Hyundais and Kias are on the forefront of easy-to-use, easy infotainment programs. The EV4 is not any totally different. The sedan debuts Kia’s next-generation interface, displayed throughout two 12.3-inch screens. One is a center-mounted contact display screen, with one other for the motive force show.

There’s commonplace wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, naturally. I used to be capable of join my telephone in seconds, and it reconnected with out hassle each time after that. UI menus have been straightforward to navigate, and the touchscreen responded seamlessly. Better of all, there are actual buttons on the steering wheel and the dashboard for issues like media and local weather controls (although sadly, a number of the navigation buttons underneath the touchscreen are touch-capacitive).

A six-speaker sound system comes commonplace on the EV4, although I used to be solely capable of check out the non-compulsory eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. For a semi-budget system, I discovered it pretty spectacular, with out an excessive amount of distortion on the high finish.

Kia additionally made its Digital Key 2.0 software program commonplace on the EV4. It permits customers to attach as much as 15 gadgets to the automobile, together with smartphones and smartwatches, which act as digital keys for entry and startup.

Essentially the most controversial a part of the EV4 is undoubtedly its appears. Seemingly plucked out of an idea studio, it wears a futuristic pores and skin with odd curves and questionable proportions. It’s definitely not lovely or elegant, however it’s additionally removed from boring—one thing most opponents within the section can’t say for themselves. The form evokes a response, which is why Kia went with it.

These unusual appears unlock a wholesome quantity of house within the cabin, each for the entrance and rear occupants. There’s a wholesome quantity of leg, arm, and shoulder room for the motive force and passenger, with loads of adjustability. The rear seats ship ample house—excess of a Mannequin 3—for occupants of all sizes. It jogs my memory of the Ioniq 6 in the best way the rear bench can simply accommodate six-foot-plus folks with ease—not a coincidence, seeing as how the 2 automobiles share a platform.

The cargo space is equally huge. It’s unlucky there’s no hatch opening, however the trunk opens vast sufficient to simply accept giant objects, with sufficient cupboard space within the rear to swallow as much as 17.3 cubic ft of stuff. Sadly, there’s no entrance trunk, as that house is occupied by the motor and the cooling equipment.

To drive the Kia EV4 is to have a really commonplace EV expertise. The cabin is ethereal and simple to see out of, if a bit upright. The steering is easy and lightweight, however usually devoid of really feel. As with every electrical automobile, the go pedal responds with an prompt, thrilling thrust, although on this automobile, it shortly dies off as you attain greater speeds. The journey is delicate and agreeable, whereas the brakes are straightforward to modulate for linear creeps to stoplights.

The one driver-centric gimmick, Kia’s i-Pedal 3.0, permits the motive force to regulate the power of the EV4’s regenerative braking by way of the steering wheel-mounted paddles. I discovered myself utilizing them greater than I believed I might, simply to gradual the automobile in visitors with out having to achieve for the brake pedal.

Nothing on this automobile stands out as overly harsh or heavy. Every thing is straightforward and simple. It’s designed to vanish underneath you, act as a easy instrument to move you from one place to a different when you get pleasure from music or a podcast. At that, the EV4 is great.

Whereas the design won’t be for everybody, its ensuing 0.23 Cd means the EV4 cuts effectively by the air. Official EPA estimates are nonetheless a methods out, however Kia predicts a spread of 330 miles for the bigger battery pack and 235 miles for the smaller pack.

The 400-volt structure means the EV4 can’t cost as shortly because the costlier automobiles in Kia’s lineup, although the corporate says charging from 10 to 80 % ought to solely take 29 minutes for the small battery pack, or 31 minutes for the bigger pack, supplied you’re utilizing a DC quick charger.

Right here’s the place issues get messy. The EV4 is meant to be a Tesla Mannequin 3 competitor, however because it’ll be inbuilt South Korea, it’ll be topic to import tariffs put in place by the Trump administration. We wouldn’t be stunned to see the beginning MSRP find yourself within the excessive $30,000 vary because of this. There’s additionally the federal tax credit score for electrical autos, which may very well be killed off by the federal government’s new spending invoice.

So the EV4 could be hit with a double-whammy of tariffs and no tax incentives, making it far much less aggressive within the section than Kia anticipated.

Within the excessive $30,000 vary, the EV4 nonetheless is smart. It delivers strong vary in an interesting bundle, a lot akin to a pleasant equipment. However something above that, and it begins to change into a more durable promote. The Ioniq 6 begins at underneath $40,000, and it brings the same vary in a prettier, rear-drive bundle. To pay extra for a stranger-looking, front-drive automobile is unreasonable.