Tesla might need extra competitors quickly
The crowded EV market is about to get a brand new entry, and it is likely to be one of many extra engaging we’ve seen in an extended whereas. Making its first look on the New York Auto Present earlier this month, the Kia EV4 showcased Kia’s continued deal with electrification with a design language acquainted to followers of the automaker’s current lineup. The true attraction isn’t the sloping hood or flat roofline we’ve come to anticipate from Kia’s EV sedans – it’s the rumored price ticket.
MotorTrend experiences that Kia “suggests” the EV4 will begin at $37,000 and made no level in noting that pricing was with any EV tax credit score (traditionally $7,500) accounted for. To that, a base mannequin Kia EV4, with tax credit, would begin at $29,500. That’s nearly $5,000 lower than a Tesla Mannequin 3 Lengthy Vary Rear Wheel Drive, which prices $34,990 with the $7,500 tax credit score.
2026 Kia EV4 Kia
The EV4 carries over Kia’s design language with a cheaper price tag
The Kia EV4’s daring exterior styling isn’t a brand new factor, however that is not a draw back. Kia’s design ethos is way more “prototype” than sensible, which units the model aside. The EV4 is noticeably smaller in stature than its sibling sedan from Hyundai, the Ioniq 6, regardless of which approach you take a look at it. It’s shorter in general size by a number of inches, an inch narrower, a smidge shorter in peak, and has a 5-inch shorter wheelbase. The EV4 is dimensionally much like the gas-powered K4 from Kia.
Kia opted for a front-wheel drive powertrain on the EV4, prone to preserve the pricing decrease. It has a spritely 201 horsepower engine (150 kW in EV terminology) and shares parts like battery know-how and the drive motor with different EVs, such because the EV6 and EV9, that are shared throughout Kia’s E-GMP platform. In america, consumers might be met with three acquainted trims: Gentle, Wind, and GT-Line. Kia’s base mannequin EV4 Gentle has a 58.3-kWh unit with an estimated vary of 235 miles. The EV4 Wind and EV4 GT-Line each get a bigger 81.4-kWh unit. Kia says the Wind will get 330 miles of vary when outfitted with 17-inch wheels, the utmost vary throughout the lineup.
Inside, the EV4 might lack high quality match and end to some, however it’s appropriate for its worth vary and features a digital cluster, an infotainment display, and an HVAC controls display in between. Kia needed the EV4 to be acquainted to folks buying their first EV, specializing in “consolation, house, and comfort.” Ambient lighting is commonplace and will be the spotlight of the cabin. i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking and superior driver help options with freeway driving help make a welcome return, and the EV4’s DC quick charging capabilities carry the battery from 10 % to 80 % in about half-hour.
2026 Kia EV4 Kia
Remaining ideas
For underneath $30,000 and with 235 miles of vary, automobile consumers might be keen to make many concessions. The Tesla Mannequin 3 fleet Hertz dumped into the used automobile market did properly, and people vehicles had been bare-bones and overwhelmed up by renters. We anticipate the Kia EV4 will promote properly, even when its exterior and inside designs are polarizing. Kia says we should always anticipate EV4 on dealership heaps in early 2026.
