Upcoming crossover will sit beneath the Kia EV6 and offer a range of over 300 miles
- Styling and tech from larger EV6
- Range of over 300 miles
- Due to arrive in 2024
Kia’s electric car offensive is well underway; the Korean brand already has three EVs in its repertoire, with another 14 models planned before 2027. One of these new models is confirmed to have been designed specifically for the European market. It will take the form of a family crossover and is set to be called the Kia EV4.
As you can guess from its name, the EV4 will sit below the acclaimed EV6 when it arrives sometime in 2024. The new car will enter a fiercely-competitive segment, rivalling the likes of the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Mercedes EQA and the forthcoming BMW iX1.
Using teaser images released by Kia, we have been able to draw up a render of what the new EV4 could look like. Those familiar with the larger EV6 will instantly recognise the EV4’s sleek headlight design and hexagonal rear light bar fixture.
However, while the EV6 has a svelte silhouette reminiscent of a UFO, the EV4 will adopt a boxy shape to prioritise interior space, similar to that of the Kia Soul EV. Wheel arch cladding should make the EV4 appear more imposing, while the front of the car will be sculpted to aid airflow.
On the inside, we expect to see Kia’s latest dual-screen infotainment setup; this has appeared in the majority of the brand’s latest models such as the Kia Niro EV. The system comprises a pair of 12.3-inch screens and boasts a plethora of unique built-in features such as ‘Sounds of Nature’, which plays relaxing sounds through the car’s speakers.
To emphasise the sustainable nature of electric cars, the EV4 is likely to be offered with an eco-friendly interior, just like in the EV6. In that car, the cabin is upholstered in fabrics made of 111 recycled plastic bottles. Of course, traditional cloth and leather seats will almost certainly be offered, too.
Under the metal, the Kia EV4 will sit on the Korean brand’s E-GMP electric car platform. This already underpins several models in the Hyundai-Kia lineup such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the forthcoming Ioniq 6 saloon.
The EV4 will be similar in length to Kia’s own Sportage; therefore, we can expect battery sizes ranging from 58kWh to 77.4kWh, giving the electric crossover a maximum range of over 300 miles. Ultra-rapid charging speeds of up to 350kW will also likely feature, allowing owners to charge their EV4 from 10-80% in as little as 18 minutes when connected to one of the handful of compatible chargers around the UK.
Standard versions of the EV4 are expected to be powered by a single electric motor that produces 226bhp. Dual-motor setups are also likely to appear further up the range, offering all-wheel-drive grip and an output of 321bhp. We could also see a high-performance ‘GT’ version of the EV4, to rival the likes of the Volkswagen ID.5 GTX; however, this is unlikely to produce the same 577bhp as the larger EV6 GT.
At this stage it’s difficult to pinpoint what the EV4 might cost, but you can expect it to be slightly less expensive than premium-badged rivals when it goes on sale in 2024. Before it arrives, Kia plans to reveal a larger electric SUV, which will be dubbed either the EV7 or EV8. Whether this will come to the UK is another matter, however, as Kia has already stated that the EV7/8 has been designed with the US market in mind.
Keyword: Kia EV4 SUV to take on the Volvo XC40 Recharge