Road tested by Hugh Maguire.
When Kia decided they needed some EV’s in their model line-up they went big first out with the EV9 and EV6. The EV6 in particular has proven popular with Irish buyers.
More recently Kia launched the EV5 on which we will have a full road test in the near future. At this months Brussels motor show they showcased the little EV2 a car that we will see here in Ireland in the future also. However the focus of this road test is the new EV4. But hey, the EV4 is a hatchback! Now that I know sounds a weird statement but in a world where the SUV is king a new 5-door hatchback is well, almost unusual. So many companies have dropped their 5-door hatchbacks in favour of SUV’s from the compact to the huge, but SUV’s nonetheless.
So have Kia got it all wrong in producing a 5-door hatchback EV?
The new Kia EV4 comes in three flavours, namely Earth 2, Earth 3 and GT-Line. There are two battery sizes, a 58.3 kWh in the Earth 2 ‘standard range’ and a larger 81.4 kWh battery in the Earth 2 ‘long range’ and all other models above.
In producing the EV4 Kia aim to have the most roomy car in its class. While classed as a compact hatchback its actually quite a long car at 4.43 metres in length which should boost interior space.
The car on test here is the GT-Line trim level with that bigger long range 81.4kWh battery. So how does it fare against its rivals?
First Impressions
I think the stying is a bit divisive. Some said they liked it, others less so. It boasts many of the styling cue’s of the larger EV6 and I guess that’s no bad thing as that looks quite well. For me it took a while for the EV4 to grow on me but grow on me it did and overall I have to say I like the look of it.
They have some great colours too and I particularly liked the “Wolf Grey” of my test car. The deep vertical LED day running lights at the front gave the EV4 a dramatic “face” while the black wheel arch surrounds, two tone 19” alloy wheels and black side trims add a muscular stance to the design.
What’s it like inside?
The two tone black and light grey cabin is roomy and well laid out while it also boasts plenty of storage space.
Particular praise must go to Kia for avoiding the temptation to follow the herd with those frankly hideously huge iPad style screens in the centre and a tiny driver display with no functionality through buttons. The endless copycat design of Tesla that many of the new Chinese brands have adopted. It looks soulless and its infuriating to use so well done Kia! Someone actually put a decent bit of design and thought into the interior of the new EV4.
Kia’s digital dash is really excellent. One of the best in my opinion. It consists of two 12.3 inch screens with a smaller 5.3 inch display allocated to climate control functions all which blend to look as one large rectangular sweeping display. I really like that design and the information available on the drivers display is configurable while the head up display proves a nice addition for driver info.
They also have a row of well illuminated haptic ‘Buttons’ beneath the main screen for menu selection, map etc, while below that are nice chrome effect toggle switches for the climate control. Again a demonstration of a very well engineered, well thought out cabin which makes the EV4 very nice to live with on a daily basis. Accomodation is very good with plenty of leg and headroom both front and rear. The boot has a capacity of 435 litres expanding to over 1200 litres with the rear seats folded flat.
So what of any negatives? Frankly, very few!
Strangely though as in the EV3 when I road tested it last year I couldn’t quite get the perfect driving position despite it having adjustable reach and rake steering and electric drivers seat. When the leg position was perfect the steering wheel was a bit too far and visa versa. Apart from that driving position for my height anyway (5 ft 10) the central storage trays could do with a grippy rubber base (only one tray has that) as items placed in some trays slide about annoyingly.
There are also a plethora of annoying dings and bongs to “warn’ drivers of their presumed wrongdoing. Particularly annoying is the constant ding when you take your eyes off the road to use the touchscreen or look over your shoulder at a junction. To be fair this is not an issue related to Kia but to the nanny state rules Europe has introduced for cars from 2025. You can deselect these warnings but its a bit of a chore through the touchscreen and they default back on again at each start up. Thats about it!
The level of standard kit is really excellent in this GT-Line model, highlights of which include, 3-step heated and ventilated front seats, power drivers seat, head up display, heated steering wheel, glass tilt/slide sunroof, Wireless Apple Car play and Android Auto with wireless phone charging, Kia Connect Telematics, and a host of safety kit. The materials used inside are mostly recycled. The quality is generally good but you don’t have to look too far to find some less desirable plastics. The seat material looks and feels good, its “faux” leather of course.
What’s under the bonnet?
The EV4 GT-line is powered by an 81.4kWh battery and an electric motor driving the front wheels with a total power output of 204 bhp. Performance is good and as with all EV’s acceleration is linear and smooth with the EV4 hitting 100km/h from a standstill in 7.4 seconds.
Claimed range in this long range version is some 584km but as with all EV’s the EV4 falls a bit short of this under normal driving conditions. My test car came 93% charged and displayed a range of 413Km. I actually achieved 339km which would have been to empty. It was a pretty cold week while on test so the heating was on full blast as were the seats nevertheless I’m not going to drive around in an overcoat so this was my real world result. The on-board trip computer gave an average consumption of 22.1kW/100km. I could not get close to Kia’s 15.8 kW/100km WLTP result in real life. Running the numbers this car should achieve about 430km or more in summertime at least.
Fast charging takes about 30 min from 20% to 80%. Road tax is €120.00.
How does it drive?
I must say it is a pleasure to live with. Everything just works so well. On a frosty morning it cleared the ice very quickly and the cabin heats up very well no doubt due to the standard heat pump fitted. It moves along silently and proves quiet and refined even at motorway speeds. You won’t find yourself pushing it along a twisty country road through as its mass and comfort suspension setting limits driver involvement.
Hugh’s Verdict
The new Kia EV4 is a breath of fresh air in a world of copycat sameness in modern cars. Its individualistic, boasts a cracking interior and it makes the daily driving a pleasure for both driver and passengers. The new EV4 ranks as one of our favourite new cars. Priced from €39,940 the GT-Line on test here costs €51,250.
Likes:
Well executed interior design.
Lots of standard kit in this version.
A great all rounder.
Disslikes:
Energy consumption higher than expected.
Storage trays need rubber grip mats.
Driving position not ideal for some.