Experiencing the 2026 Kia EV4

The 2026 Kia EV4 electric sedan will be available in North America in early 2026. We got an early chance to drive one in and around Seoul, South Korea, in driving conditions similar to an American metropolis (Seoul is about the size of New York City), plus some highway driving in the mix to get a fuller experience. Here’s how we liked Kia’s new entry-level electric vehicle (EV).

Seoul Searching

The Kia lineup of EVs is going through something of a generational change. Not so long ago, the brand’s EVs were limited to small economy cars, namely, the all-electric versions of the Kia Soul and Kia Niro. The Niro EV is still around alongside its HEV and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) counterparts, but it’s currently the only Kia electric vehicle that doesn’t use the “EV[number]” nomenclature. The Kia EV6 came out in 2022 as a sporty and high-tech electric SUV, the 3-row EV9 followed in 2024, and now the 2026 Kia EV4 will arrive as the brand’s first electric sedan.

In addition to being a sedan rather than an SUV, the Kia EV4 differs from the EV6 and EV9 by being front-wheel drive (FWD). The other two are available with rear-wheel drive (RWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The EV4 comes exclusively with one electric motor mounted at the front wheels — at least for now. Kia says an all-wheel-drive version is coming at some point.

The EV4’s front-wheel-drive architecture will suit drivers in snowy climates who want a reasonably priced EV with decent range and modern tech. The standard battery pack in the Light trim can go up to 235 miles of range on a single, full charge, while the longer-range battery in the Wind and GT-Line trims travels an estimated 330 miles. With DC fast charging, the EV4 replenishes its battery from 10% to 80% in about half an hour, depending on the battery. We like these numbers; they should help ease range anxiety for anyone who can plug in at home and lives in an area with a decent EV charging infrastructure.

Behind the Wheel

Climbing behind the wheel of the Kia EV4, we were delighted by its family resemblance to the EV9. Naturally, the EV9 is a bigger and more expensive vehicle, so its space and quality are a bit better. Still, the EV4 takes a similar design ethos and packages it as a practical compact sedan.

When we climbed in the back, we were impressed by the legroom but found the seating position slightly awkward. I’m an even-6-feet-tall, and my knees were sticking up a little higher than I find comfortable; the distance from the seat bottoms to the floor is a little short. However, it’s nice having a completely flat floor back there. These rear seats are great for kids and adults who are average height or shorter.

One of the big highlights of the Kia EV4 is its nearly 30-inch widescreen display, which houses a customizable 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, a user-friendly 12.3-inch central infotainment display, and a 5-inch HVAC control screen in between them. Don’t worry; it also has physical controls for heat and air.

Another unique detail of the EV4 is Kia’s new i-Pedal 3.0 system. Most EVs have some form of one-pedal driving, in which you only use the accelerator pedal to modulate the car’s acceleration and deceleration. The i-Pedal 3.0 rethinks that idea by having three different levels of regenerative braking within the one-pedal drive mode. We played with this feature and experienced different levels of severity for braking when we took our foot off the pedal. We preferred the lighter Level 1 setting, but everyone will have their preferences. We appreciate the level of customization this brings to the EV driving experience. Also, it works in reverse so that you can be in one-pedal mode all the time.

As for the differences between the Wind and GT-Line models, they’re primarily aesthetic. We got to drive both and sometimes forgot that they were different trims. The GT-Line model uses a sportier aesthetic inside and out and has a different steering wheel than the lower trims. But don’t get too excited; there are no performance upgrades.

Is 201 Horsepower Enough?

Speaking of performance, the 201-hp electric motor up front did an admirable job zipping around town and cruising on the highway. We thought that the horsepower rating sounded low when we first heard it. In practice, the instant torque inherent with all EVs makes 201 hp feel like plenty. It’s smooth, quiet, and comfortable as an urban runabout and a highway cruiser. Most EVs share these virtues, but it’s good to experience these benefits in an accessible package as a compact sedan from a mainstream brand.

If driven hard, that nose-heavy front end can get a bit squirrely, and the handling a bit imprecise. However, this car isn’t designed to be driven aggressively. It’ll easily get out of its own way when you step on it, but this front-motor arrangement provides a smooth and comfortable drive when you just pilot the car in normal, everyday conditions.

Another Good, Normal EV

And therein lies the virtue of the Kia EV4. It’s just a regular car. It’s the latest addition to the EV market that could be called a normal car that happens to be electric. Sure, the aesthetics are a bit edgy and perhaps polarizing. But it’s a practical small sedan with decent interior space, the latest tech, and the range and charging speeds necessary to make it an easy EV to live with. It doesn’t try to be sportier or fancier than it is; it’s just a good car that’s easy to recommend.

As of this writing, U.S. pricing is forthcoming for the Kia EV4, which makes it a little hard for us to evaluate its value proposition (that’s kind of our thing). The best measuring stick we can use is the kind-of-similar Hyundai Ioniq 6 sedan, which starts at just under $40,000 for the single-motor variant in 2025. If Kia EV4 pricing kicks off in the mid-$30,000 range, it will be a good value on the affordable side of electric cars. However, the $40,000-$50,000 range keeps getting more competitive in the EV space, so it’ll be up against tougher competition if the price goes too high.

Read our full review of the 2026 Kia EV4

Source link