I have already tested the KIA EV4, and its strange design hides a formidable rival for the BYD Dolphin and Seal

The C-segment has been losing ground in recent years to the two trendy categories, B-SUVs and C-SUVs. However, it remains a key niche for manufacturers in the European market, as evidenced by the fact that Chinese brands like BYD, Leapmotor, or MG have decisively bet on compacts like the Dolphin, the B05, or the MG4.

KIA, whose Ceed was recently discontinued, also does not plan to stop offering a model of this type in its lineup. The new EV4 comes to fill the gap between two crossovers, the EV3 and EV5, for all those customers looking for a more traditional format car... despite the fact that its design is anything but that, as the newcomer is characterized by a truly eye-catching aesthetic.

The KIA EV4 will be available with two body styles: a five-door hatchback produced in Slovakia (this is the brand's first electric vehicle produced on the old continent), and the four-door Fastback that will come from South Korea, as it has been designed for global markets, while its sibling is specifically aimed at the European public.

During its international presentation in Malaga, we had the opportunity to get behind the wheel of both versions, which have a very different target: while the compact will seek to compete with proposals like the Peugeot E-308 or the Volkswagen ID.3, the sedan will compete directly against the BYD Seal and even the Tesla Model 3, which still enjoys great popularity despite the recent drop in sales experienced by the American firm. What does our protagonist offer against its rivals?

Two body styles, one philosophy: leaving no one indifferent

Both body styles have exactly the same width (1,860 mm) and wheelbase (2,820 mm), differing in length (4,430 mm for the hatchback and 4,730 mm for the Fastback) and height (1,485 mm for the hatchback and 1,480 mm for the Fastback). The trunk of the sedan has a capacity of a simply correct 490 liters, while its sibling announces 435 liters, placing it in the upper range of its category.

Although the Opposites United design language is shared with the rest of KIA's electric range, its aesthetics are very personal. At the front, we find elongated vertical headlights with the Star Map light signature, which follow the shape of the hood, which has a very abrupt drop. This, combined with the reduced front overhang, gives it a decidedly 'flat' appearance. Of course, the brand's characteristic EV Tiger Face is not missing.

The Fastback is particularly striking for its long tail silhouette, with a huge rear overhang that contrasts with the front. In addition, the boomerang-shaped taillights are positioned very far apart, at the ends of the body, visually increasing the width of the rear. Other notable aspects are the double spoiler and the black trim of the C-pillar, an element that abruptly breaks the side line.

The wheel options range from 17 to 19 inches. The retractable door handles help improve aerodynamics: the sedan offers a coefficient of just 0.23, while the compact settles for 0.27. There is a GT-Line version with specific elements like bumpers or the steering wheel (three spokes instead of two) for those looking for a slightly more aggressive touch.

The interior somewhat resembles a living room thanks to the decorative trims and fabric inserts on the dashboard, which in the GT-Line are replaced by padded plastic. This is also contributed by the seats, which are very plush and comfortable. The headrests are particularly comfortable thanks to the use of a mesh that allows the head to 'sink' into them.

The dashboard is dominated by a huge 30-inch panoramic display, which is divided into three individual screens: the 12.3-inch digital instrumentation, the 5.3-inch climate control module, and the 12.3-inch touchscreen of the infotainment, which are complemented by a Head-up Display. The section dedicated to climate control is partially covered by the steering wheel, although the direct accesses to defrosting and recirculation remain visible; on the other hand, we also have physical buttons to adjust the temperature, which is appreciated.

There are also some haptic controls to access functions like the navigator, but the truth is that its operation would be more comfortable if they were traditional buttons. During our test, the AI assistant functioned correctly, always understanding the voice commands we gave it on the first try.

The multimedia system is compatible with remote updates via OTA (Over-the-air). The brand highlights the Vehicle Smart TV function, which offers streaming services (Disney+, Netflix, YouTube...), games, and karaoke through the KIA Store to make charging stops more enjoyable, for example. This would also include Rest mode and Theatre mode, optimized for rest and content viewing respectively.

The rear seat space is very notable both longitudinally and in height; in addition, the fifth seat is more usable than in other compacts because there is no central tunnel. Second-row passengers have their own air conditioning outlets and USB ports integrated into the backs of the front seats.

Up to 633 km of range

The KIA EV4 range consists of Standard and Long Range versions, both with front-wheel drive and equipped with a 204 hp (150 kW) electric motor. They differ in battery size, with 58.3 kWh in the first case and 81.4 kWh in the second. With the smaller pack, the WLTP range is 443 km (five doors) and 456 km (four doors), while with the larger one it reaches 625 km (five doors) and 633 km (four doors), the highest figure of any KIA electric vehicle to date.

However, due to its greater weight, the Long Range is slower (0-100 km/h in 7.7 seconds) than the Standard (0-100 km/h in 7.4 seconds). The top speed is limited to 170 km/h. We have been confirmed that later a high-performance GT model with all-wheel drive will be added.

Although it uses the E-GMP platform already seen in the EV6 and EV9, it does not have the 800-volt architecture of its siblings, but rather the 400-volt architecture of the EV3. On a fast charger, the 58.3 kWh model takes 29 minutes to go from 10 to 80%, a figure that rises to 31 minutes if we opt for the 81.4 kWh variant. It also features bidirectional charging V2L (Vehicle to Load), V2H (Vehicle to Home), and V2G (Vehicle to Grid).

Like many other recently launched electric vehicles, it integrates the practical Plug & Charge function, which automates the validation and payment of the charging process at compatible stations. The i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking can be adjusted through paddles behind the steering wheel, a system that in my opinion is much more comfortable and safe than those that require navigating through submenus of the infotainment to modify the retention level. There is a one-pedal driving mode, as well as an adaptive intelligent regenerative braking function.

On the road, the EV4 presents itself as a vehicle above all comfortable, with a soft-tuned suspension that 'absorbs' bumps without flinching. This, combined with the comfort of the seats and good sound insulation, makes it a great long-distance vehicle; in exchange, it does not feel particularly dynamic, something that is not helped by a filtered and not particularly quick steering.

During our brief journey on the highway at speeds between 80 and 120 km/h, the consumption was around a contained 14.4 kWh/100 km; however, it should be noted that this figure is merely indicative. Although the car seems very efficient at first glance, until we can conduct a more thorough test, we cannot give a definitive verdict on this. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that the lane centering system is a little less polished than in some competitor proposals, as it exhibits a slight pingponging effect.

Combining the three available trim levels (Air, Earth Launch Edition, and GT-Line), the two body styles, and the two batteries, we end up with a total of eight versions. The starting price of the EV4 is 38,695 euros, which is reduced to 26,400 euros if we subtract the 7,000 euros from the MOVES III Plan, the 800 euros from the CAE, the promotional discount of 2,715 euros, and the financing discount of 1,780 euros.

Although it is still somewhat more expensive than an equivalent thermal compact (something that is mitigated by the corresponding discounts and subsidies), the KIA EV4 stands out as a very attractive proposal for those looking for a versatile and balanced electric vehicle. It is a car comfortable, spacious, well-equipped, and with more than enough range to tackle long trips if we opt for the larger battery, all wrapped in an eye-catching package that leaves no one indifferent.