UK Drive: Kia’s EV4 brings a traditional feel to the EV segment

What is it?

Kia hasn’t let up with its electric car development. It now has a range spanning from the compact EV3 SUV right the way up to the seven-seater EV9, with cars like the EV6 and EV4 falling in the middle. Next to enter the gang is this car – the EV4 – which arrives as something slightly different.

You see, it’s not another SUV or crossover but, instead, is offered in either hatchback or eye-catching ‘Fastback’ bodystyles. Bucking the current trend towards higher-riding models, the EV4 certainly looks different – but is it worth considering? We’ve been driving it to find out.

What’s new?

The EV4 does share a modular platform with the EV3, so you’ll find many similarities between the two when it comes to range and interior architecture. However, what you’re getting in the EV4 is a slightly more traditional shape – in the hatchback, at least – which could make it more appealing for drivers after a ‘regular’ hatch.

As with other Kia models, you can get the EV4 in quite a wide variety of specifications and battery options, ensuring that there should be a version to suit all buyers.

What’s under the bonnet?

You can get the EV4 with either a 58.3kWh battery or a larger 81.4kWh version, but we’re driving the former. While it can’t eclipse the 362 miles you’d get from the big-battery model, this variant can bring a still-respectable 273 miles from a single charge and helps to bring down the car’s overall cost, too – but more on that shortly.

You still get a decent maximum charge speed of 127kW, too, and at that pace you can take the batteries from 10 to 80 per cent in just under half an hour.

What’s it like to drive?

In the entry-level ‘Air’ specification, with its relatively modest 17-inch wheels and big, squishy tyres, the EV4 feels like a breath of fresh air against other harsher-riding alternatives. While there’s a bit of a wobble through the bends, this Kia shrugs off lumps and bumps well, while it remains impressively hushed at motorway speeds too.

There’s even a decent amount of pace, with 0-60mph coming in 7.3 seconds. Really, however, it’s this car’s comfort and refinement which shine through, not to mention how ‘solid’ it feels from behind the wheel.

How does it look?

As we’ve mentioned, the current trend towards crossovers and SUVs means that many electric models – Kia cars included – have started to look a little similar. The EV4 has that classic hatchback shape; however, but with its tall roofline and boxy dimensions, it still has quite a lot of presence out on the road.

You can opt for the Fastback version, of course, which gives the EV4 a completely different look and appeal. The Fastback definitely stands out on the road, too, but with its sloped roofline, it does have an impact on rear-seat headroom, so it’s worth thinking about whether you want looks or outright practicality.

What’s it like inside?

The interior of the EV4 will be familiar to anyone who has spent time in any of Kia’s recent electric cars. There are plenty of good materials and even this base-spec ‘Air’ car has well-finished areas that feel solid to the touch. There’s a great blend of physical and digital controls, too, so that everything feels intuitive to operate when you’re on the move. The placement of a panel which shows heater temperature and fan direction seems pointless, mind you; it’s right where your hand goes on the steering wheel, meaning that for much of the time it’s blocked entirely.

Boot stands at a very impressive 435 litres, with the load area being both handily-shaped and easy to access. It dwarfs the

What’s the spec like?

Prices for the EV4 start from £34,695 for this small-battery car in entry-level Air trim. Want the bigger battery and its longer range? It’s not too much of a step up, with prices starting at £37,695 and we’re expecting a lot of people to opt for this version. Whichever battery you fancy, we’d argue that Air trim level is a great place to be; you get a 12.3-inch infotainment system, heated front seats and steering wheel, and front and rear parking sensors all included.

At the other end of the spectrum is the range-topping GT-Line S, which gets high-end features such as an upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system, a front sunroof and ventilated front seats. However, in big-battery form, this model comes in at £44,795, which feels too expensive for the segment.

Verdict

It’s quite easy to feel overwhelmed with the sheer variety of electric vehicles out there, but the Kia EV4 does a great job of standing out thanks to its combination of both old- and new-school features. On the one hand, it’s practical, with a large boot and plenty of space inside, but it’s also equipped with all of the features that you need.

While the higher-spec models might be tempting due to their more luxurious features, we’d argue that in Air trim, with its friendlier price tag, is where the EV4 feels at its best.