2026 Kia EV4 Is A Funky, Affordable EV Sedan
When it arrives early next year, the Kia EV4 could be one of the most affordable electric options on the market.
Kia's focus at the New York Auto Show this year is on the small cars. In addition to the 2026 K4 Hatchback, the brand also had the North American debut of its 2026 EV4 sedan. Slotting in near the bottom of the brand's wide electric range, the EV4 promises an affordable entry point into the world of EVs—and one for those who don't want an SUV.
Key Points
- The 2026 Kia EV4 made its North American debut in New York, introducing a compact, front-wheel-drive electric sedan expected to be one of the brand’s most affordable EVs when it arrives early next year.
- Built on a 400-volt version of the E-GMP platform, the EV4 offers up to 330 miles of range with an 81.4-kWh battery, while base models use a 58.3-kWh pack good for 235 miles.
- Inside, the EV4 features twin 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, V2L capability, and i-Pedal regenerative braking with memory and adaptive modes.
Slotting in at around the same size as the K4 sedan, the EV4 wears its own sheetmetal. More angular, a la EV9, the polygonal wheel arches and low nose give it hints of retro supercar. Squint and the glasshouse still show signs of Kia's first dedicated EV on these shores, the EV6.
The back is easily the wildest angle, with a pair of winglets framing the rear window along with tall, narrow taillights emphasizing a protruding tail. It's certainly unique—and hey, good on Kia for skipping the all-too-common full-width taillight treatment.
While the brand says the E-GMP platform underpins the EV4, it's not the 800-volt architecture found everywhere else in the portfolio. This is a slower (more affordable) 400-volt setup, and it also will launch strictly with front-wheel drive. Every trim—Light, Wind, and GT-Line—will bring 201 horsepower to the party, though the former will do so with a 58.3-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The higher trims use the long-range 81.4-kWh pack. Naturally, the Light has the shortest range at 235 miles (378 kilometers), while the bigger battery pack can hit as much as 330 miles (531 km).
Recharge times are roughly half an hour for the usual 10-to-80 state of charge measure; a little bit less for the small pack, and a little bit more for the larger.
Regenerative braking is present with Kia's i-Pedal, which comes with a round of improvements with the EV4. There is now an adaptive setting that harvests charge when the system deems it best, for example. i-Pedal now works in reverse, too. Easily the best feature? A memory function that retains the last-used i-Pedal level the next time the EV4 is turned on. Progress!
Inside, the EV4 is similar to the K4, with a twin 12.3-inch screen setup and a pleasantly pared-back cabin design. The center console is the biggest departure, with much more open space by dint of being an electric model. The screens run Kia's ccNC infotainment system and offer full wireless support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Tech goodies abound, including a digital key, driver attention alert, Highway Driving Assist, and Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, just like the rest of Kia's electric lineup. Also like the K4, buyers can spec the EV4 with ventilated front seats plus a driver's memory seat.
The 2026 Kia EV4 will arrive early next year. An all-wheel drive variant is planned for further down the road. Stay tuned for more details on specs and pricing closer to launch.
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2026 Kia EV4 Sedan: All The Details
Kyle began his automotive obsession before he even started school, courtesy of a remote control Porsche and various LEGO sets. He later studied advertising and graphic design at Humber College, which led him to writing about cars (both real and digital). He is now a proud member of the Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC), where he was the Journalist of the Year runner-up for 2021.
More by Kyle Patrick
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The ugliness factor comes from trying to make light and to slip in the wind.
yet it still only makes 330 miles out of an 81.4 kwh pack. Wishing that range technology was better than a Model 3 that is already 8 years old.