It appears like each brand-new EV that debuts these days is an SUV– the character of battery fashionable expertise (and American car buying selections) nearly requires it. So it’s freshening to see Kia beginning the 2025 New York Auto Show immediately with the launching of the sharp-styled, brand-new 2026 Kia EV4 electrical automobile and the combustion-powered K4 Hatchback that presses nice offers of vitality proper into smaller sized bundles. Positioned on the entry issue of Kia’s schedule, these just a little smaller sized autos will definitely be pitched as much more budget-friendly selections once they get right here following 12 months, which is a big provide fascinated by simply how pricey most factors seem like acquiring
I’m most fascinated by and thrilled in regards to the EV4, and I assume you’ll definitely be as properly. The EV4 makes its North American launching, taking part in reckless with what I take a typical “sedan silhouette.” The EV4 leads with info and percentages decreased from Kia’s EV6, amongst my favored EVs in its course, but the shape shifts rapidly on the again doorways proper right into a sweeping fastback– nearly as if Kia copy-pasted the again aspect of its K4 automobile onto the EV.
From some angles, the full look is disagreeable and just a little disjointed. However, I get pleasure from it when automobile builders acquire odd, and the automobile’s whole look is starting to increase on me.
Up to 330 miles of selection
Beneath the sheet metal and glossy black plastic cladding, you’ll find the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform, which moreover underpins nearly all of HMG’s dedicated EV variations, from the Ioniq 5 to the EV9 The EV4 will definitely get right here in very early 2026, powered by a solitary 150-kilowatt (201-horsepower) electrical motor on its entrance axle and provided with 2 400-volt battery selections. The base EV4 Light features a 58.3 kilowatt-hour pack anticipated to offer as much as 235 miles per payment. Upgrading to the EV4 Wind or top-spec EV4 GT-Line suggestions as much as an 81.4 kWh system assuring roughly 330 miles of Kia- approximated selection for the (almost certainly) lighter Wind.
Drivers will definitely have the power to rapidly juice their EV4 from 10% to 80% butted in 29 to 31 minutes (relying upon which battery they’ve truly obtained) via the auto’s built-in North American Charging System port. The EV4’s billing port has truly been transferred to the entrance traveler aspect, which the automobile producer assumes is a neater positioning for billing when parked nose-in at Tesla Supercharger terminals. Personally, I select the rear-corner setting of HMG’s varied different EVs, but I’m moreover amongst these aggravating chauffeurs that again proper into each automobile park space when possible.
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The widespread NACS billing port signifies the EV4 will definitely have the power to natively invoice at Tesla Supercharger terminals.
Safety and Convenience Tech
Rounding out the EV4’s operate assortment is a brand-new variation 3.0 of the automobile producer’s i-Pedal variable regenerative braking system, which automatically adjusts the level of regen based on speed, distance to a leading vehicle and more. The system now works in reverse and retains the driver’s preferred regeneration level when the EV4 is restarted. Like other E-GMP vehicles, this one is compatible with the automaker’s vehicle-to-load adapter, enabling proprietors to remodel the outside billing port proper into an acquainted 120-volt/15-amp energy electrical outlet to run dwelling home equipment, units or units when the EV4 is parked.
Inside, the attention sticks round on the EV4’s now-familiar twin 12.3-inch display screen digital management panel with dedicated 5-inch surroundings display screen (similar to the dashboard of the EV9) beforehand, ideally, choosing the roadway prematurely. The cabin expertise assortment consists of the brand-new Kia AI Assistant, which will definitely help chauffeurs preserve their eyes off these shows whereas driving with all-natural language voice instructions. Also available are Digital Key 2.0 expertise, which permits chauffeurs ditch the very important fob for his or her telephone, cordless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connection and requirement Highway Driving Assistant safety expertise. The EV4’s software program program will definitely be maintained current with over-the-air updates and feature-on-demand acquisitions via the Kia Connect info hyperlink, which proprietors must register for hold after the three-year consisted of take a look at.
There are loads of areas that may definitely require filling up previous to the 2026 Kia EV4 strikes United States roadways in very early 2026, consisting of EPA selection and final costs for the South Korean- made EV. Expect much more info to be revealed within the coming months.
2026 Kia K4 Hatchback
For budget-minded consumers not all set to make the leap to electrical, the automobile producer moreover debuted a hatchback model of its combustion-powered 2026 K4. Most of the specs correspond the automobile up till you attain the K4 Hatchback’s 22.2 cubic ft of freight functionality behind the again seats (up from 14.6 cu-ft), which will increase to 59.3 dices when these seats fold up degree. Interestingly, the Hatchback is moreover about 11 inches a lot shorter from bumper to bumper, despite preserving the exact same again legroom, and flaunts regarding an inch of added again clearance.
The 2026 Kia K4 Hatchback will definitely be provided with both a typical 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 147 hp and 132 pound-feet of torque or a turbocharged 1.6-liter that improves to 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. Expect the very first situations to get to sellers in late 2025 and costs, fuel financial scenario and varied different info to come up previous to after that.
