2026 Kia EV4 GT-Line Long Range 2WD Review

It can be hard to define the EV4, an electric model that fits in between the EV3 and EV5. It’s a capable middle-child, but does it have limited appeal in a crowded market? 

Once a market disrupter, Kia is now a household name, consistently in the top five when it comes to new car sales. Last year, Kia more than doubled the registrations of its sister-brand Hyundai. Much of this success can be attributed to Kia’s offerings in the local market; it has 12 different models on sale here in New Zealand, with more en route.  

Kia has gone big with the electric movement, with five model lines exclusively battery-powered. Conveniently, Kia uses an EV naming convention in this range, with larger numbers correlating to larger vehicles. The EV4 is the most recent addition to this range, and in my opinion, it is by far the strangest.  

On paper, it doesn’t seem all that weird. It slots into the range above the EV3, has a similar electric range, and costs about the same. At this point, you wouldn’t be alone in wondering why it exists at all, that is until you see the EV4.  

While Kia calls it a “fastback”, I was a bit hesitant to agree with that initially. It seems to sit as high as an SUV and comes adorned with black plastic wheel arches like an SUV, but the body is something else entirely. But then, it isn’t SUV-like enough to call it an SUV coupe either. I guess calling it a fastback is okay then. 

EV3 bones 

Ambiguous aesthetics aside, the EV4’s spec sheet is a familiar affair, as it shares much with the EV3. Power comes from an 81.4kWh battery, which provides a driving range of up to 633km (WLTP). This can be DC charged at up to 128kW, which will take around 30 minutes (10 to 80 per cent). It powers a single electric motor on the front axle, which makes 150kW and 283Nm of torque. The EV4 is also exclusively front-wheel drive. With modest outputs, the EV4 isn’t a speed demon, and Kia’s 0-100km/h claim of 7.7-seconds backs this up.

Kia is offering the EV4 in two trim levels locally, with all the aforementioned hardware shared between the two models. The range starts with the Light LR 2WD at $63,990, and tops out with the GT-Line 2WD at $75,990. I was surprised to learn the GT-Line commanded a $12,000 premium, especially considering the shared powertrain. And even after digging into the specification sheet, I’m still not sure I’m convinced the GT-Line is worthy of the extra.

On the outside, the only difference between the two models are the wheels; where the GT-Line gets 19-inch alloys, the Light LR makes do with 17s. Inside, the changes are more significant, with powered faux leather seats that are heated and ventilated. A panoramic sunroof is standard, as is the eight-speaker Harmon Kardon sound system. The 12.3-inch digital cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment displays are standard across both models, as is wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity. A 12-inch head-up display is exclusive to the GT-Line, so too a wireless phone charger.

EV4 – Spacious but 

While I appreciate how Kia has retained tactile buttons on the steering wheel, almost everything else is controlled through the screens. A 5.0-inch touchscreen HVAC display sits between the cluster and infotainment screen; arguably the most inconvenient place it could be. As well as not being able to control the temperature via buttons, this screen is perfectly obscured by the steering wheel, so drivers will have to move their head to operate it. It is possible to expand these controls to the main display, but it’s painfully unintuitive.

Otherwise, the EV4’s cabin is a nice place to be. For its reasonably small stature, it feels like there is plenty of space inside. Without a traditional centre console with a gear shifter, it’s airy between the front seats, and the wireless phone charger is nicely secured between two partitions.

Those in the rear benefit from the spacious cabin the most, as the lack of a transmission tunnel means whoever sits in the middle has a nice flat floor for their feet. At 490-litres, there’s an impressive amount of luggage storage in the boot. Obviously you lose the benefit of load height with the EV4 being a fastback sedan, and the opening is tight, but you do get split folding rear seats for longer, skinnier loads.

Go okay? 

On the road, the EV4 drives more like an electric SUV than the “fastback” Kia wants it to be. With a 0-100km/h time of 7.8-seconds for the GT-Line, aside from its name, it’s not making any performance car claims. Power delivery is strong and smooth, and the tyres do a decent job of mitigating wheel slip off the line. This is to the point that I found a bit of torque steer under heavy acceleration, but it was easily managed.  

The ride offered by the EV4 is supple and compliant. Cabin noise is kept to a reasonable level despite the large alloy wheels it rides on. This comes at the cost of body control when the EV4 is pushed through corners. Here, limits of both the suspension and tyres can be found quickly, serving as a reminder this isn’t a performance car.

As for safety equipment, the EV4 gets everything you’d expect from a modern EV and has recently been awarded a five star ANCAP rating.  

The adaptive cruise control works well, and I was particularly impressed with the automatic lane-change assist system, which will change lanes with a simple swipe of the indicator. Ironically, this system will disengage with any sort of steering input from the driver, so leaving the car’s fate in the hands of the computer is the only option. 

EV4 – Where does it fit?

As a whole, Kia’s EV4 feels like a strange solution to an issue that has already been solved. Between the EV3 and EV5, Kia has the small electric market covered, and anyone who wants to buy a sedan for nostalgia purposes is probably going to be baffled by what the EV4 is trying to be.

I guess it might be the EV for those looking to stand out from the SUV-minded crowd, but even then, the most ‘out there’ faded green paint option is hardly going to turn heads on the street.

The bottom line is that the EV4 serves its purpose as a comfortable electric vehicle, but just as to why it’s here among the more traditional offerings from Kia? Beats me.  

Kia EV4 GT-Line Long Range 2WD
$75,990  /  14.9kWh/100km  /  0g/km
0-100 km/h 7.8s
Motor output  150kW
Max torque  283Nm
Battery  81.4kWh
Range  612km
Drivetrain  Single-speed auto / FWD
Front suspension  Mac strut / swaybar
Rear suspension  Multilink / swaybar
Turning circle  10.9m
Front brakes  Ventilated discs (325mm)
Rear brakes  Discs (300mm)
Stability systems  ABS, ESP, TV
Safety  AEB, ACC, BSM, LDW, RCTA, ALK, AHB
Tyre size  f/r-215/50R19
Wheelbase  2820mm
L/W/H  4730 / 1860 / 1480mm
Track f-1610mm  r-1621mm
Luggage capacity 490L  
Tow rating  750kg (1000kg braked)
Warranty  7yrs / 150,000 km
ANCAP rating  ★★★★★ (2026)
Weight (claimed)  1912kg