The New Kia EV4 — Hot New Mass-Market Kia! – CleanTechnica

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At Kia EV Day 2025 today, the South Korean giant unveiled the new EV4. If I’m being honest, I get excited about new EV models quite easily. However, I’m really excited about this EV4, because it seems evident this could be a very popular mass-market model. I think it hits a sweet spot, comes from an establish big auto brand, and could be a massively popular vehicle.

My first thought with regards to the US market is it’s probably not big enough for behemoth-loving Americans — but, the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic are still hugely popular vehicles, and it could compete with them. Though, it was unveiled in Europe — Tarragona, Spain — of course, and that is the market where it should be able to gobbled up sales.

“Versatile and practical, the EV4 is an athletic all-rounder that represents Kia’s first electrified sedan (four-door) and hatchback (five-door), designed to navigate cities and cross continents. Launched to redefine the C-segment and shown in both sedan and hatchback body styles, the Kia EV4 represents a fresh approach to the traditional aesthetics of the sector,” the company writes.

“As indicated by the campaign slogan ‘Your Edge in Motion’, the Kia EV4 introduces a new typology for sedans and hatchbacks. In doing so, Kia is expanding choice in an EV market traditionally focused on CUVs and SUVs.” It’s an interesting take. There’s been an obsession with CUVs and SUVs, and a neglect for sedans, in recent years. Perhaps that means there’s more of an opening in this traditional segment than most of the market assumes. The key matters are that the EV4 is relatively small, but practical and useful; slick and modern, but surely affordable; sporty, but made for cities and utilitarian everyday use.

“As a core model, the EV4 also expands Kia’s award-winning EV lineup and appeals to the ‘Early Majority’ customer segment. It promotes EV adoption through a blend of practical and innovative design, technological reliability, and a flexible electric vehicle experience that meets a diverse range of customer needs,” Kia writes. I think that’s spot on, and critical to my vision (and presumably Kia’s vision) of this becoming a high-volume, mass-market automobile. The “Early Majority” is a giant group. Targeting this segment of tech-adoption buyers, Kia is aiming for a lot of sales.

“Kia EV Day shows our vision for a sustainable future where electric mobility is accessible to all. The EV4 embodies that vision perfectly as a statement of our commitment to innovative design, cutting-edge technology, and a connected driving experience that excites and inspires,” Kia President and CEO Ho Sung Song adds. “The EV4 marks a significant step forward in our electrification journey, offering advanced technology and a choice of body styles for drivers seeking a seamless transition to electric mobility.”

Here are some more details on the EV4 from Kia:

• 58.3 kWh standard and 81.4 kWh long-range battery options
• Class-leading All-Electric Range (AER) of 630 km (long-range model), according to WLTP standards
• Ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.23 Cd; full underbody covers for optimized aerodynamic performance
• 150 kW motor for best 0-100 km/h performance of 7.4 seconds
• 10-80 percent charging in just 31 minutes (long-range model) from 400V EV-dedicated platform
• V2L and V2G capability
• Advanced chassis technology for top-tier ride comfort, refinement and dynamic ability
• Standard EV4 sedan model: class-leading target range of 430 km (267 miles). Long-range model: 630 km (391 miles) target range. EV4 hatchback model: 590 km (367 mile) range.
• Digital Key 2.0 provides easy access, including via Apple Watch^TM
• i-Pedal 3.0 variable regenerative braking for maximum comfort, efficiency and safety
• Remote OTA update allows software updates via user’s mobile
• 30-inch wide-screen display connected car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) enhances in-car entertainment experience
• Cutting-edge in-car content streaming and connectivity services, including YouTube and Netflix

Continuing Kia’s focus on V2X technology, the EV4 includes “3.6 kVA Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality for indoor and outdoor use, as well as 10 kVA Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) functionality.”

You can read a ton more about the EV4 here.