What’s to like (the “design perfection” side)
From first impressions and early drives, the EV4 brings a compelling mix of style, comfort, and smart trade-offs. Some highlights:
Bold, attention-getting design
- The styling is distinctive — it’s not bland or anonymous. InsideEVs notes that while the shape is “odd-looking,” it elicits reactions and stands out.
- The sedan version has a stretched fastback / “long tail” aesthetic, giving it a more elegant silhouette (versus a squat crossover)
- Aerodynamics are strong. Kia claims a drag coefficient of ~0.23 in some versions, which helps with efficiency.
Comfortable, pleasant ride for everyday driving
- Car & Driver’s Seoul first drive praised the suspension: “soaking up cracks and potholes expertly.”
- Quiet cabin in low-speed urban settings, helping it feel refined in city use.
- Seat comfort, ergonomics, adjustment range have been praised in multiple reviews.
Practical dimensions, usable interior
- Rear legroom is “surprisingly spacious” given its class.
- It offers two battery options (roughly 58 kWh & 81 kWh), giving buyers a choice between cost vs range.
- For cargo, depending on body style: the fastback/sedan version gives ~490 L trunk capacity; hatchback ~435 L.
- It uses the E-GMP platform (albeit the 400V variant) — shared architecture helps in economies of scale, parts, and reliability potential.
Smart tech features & modern touches
- Dual 12.3" displays (instrument + infotainment) with a floating “glass panel” aesthetic.
- Regenerative braking is adjustable via paddles, and there’s an “iPedal” system (adaptive regen) that can modulate braking based on traffic ahead.
- Features like V2L (Vehicle-to-Load, i.e. powering external devices) are included.
- OTA (over-the-air) updates, digital key functions, etc.
Where it falters (the “rear-rly bad move” warnings)
Nothing’s perfect, and the EV4 has its share of tradeoffs and compromises. These are important to consider, especially depending on your priorities.
Charging speed / voltage architecture limitations
- It uses a 400-volt electrical architecture (versus 800V seen in more premium E-GMP cars). That means it cannot match ultra-fast charging speeds of those rivals.
- Kia claims 10–80% charge in ~29 minutes (small pack) or 31 minutes (larger pack), which is decent, but not aggressive.
- In contrast, models with 800V setups can reduce that time significantly (e.g. 18 min in some cases)
Driving dynamics tradeoffs
- Steering feel is muted according to multiple reviewers. Car & Driver says the helm is nicely weighted in “Normal” mode, but lacks sharpness.
- Under heavy acceleration, some torque steer was noticed in the front-wheel drive variant.
- The ride is comfortable but can be soft, with body movement (“plenty of body movement,” per Electrifying review) which means it might not appeal to those seeking sporty handling.
Rear comfort & packaging quirks
- MotorTrend notes that the interior is a bit cramped in some dimensions: toe space and having the high floor in the rear make the back seat feel less generous than the raw legroom numbers suggest.
- Headroom may be compromised for taller passengers, depending on roofline / trim / optional sunroof. Electrifying mentions that roof options eat into headroom.
- Rear visibility is weak — the sharply raked rear window gives only a “letterbox” view. So, you’ll depend heavily on cameras and parking sensors.
Uncertainty around pricing, value, and regional constraints
- Much depends on how Kia prices it in your market. Many reviewers hedge their enthusiasm on “if they can hit a competitive price.”
- Some features are region–limited: e.g. the “theater mode” (streaming video while parked) is being excluded in U.S. versions (for regulatory / liability reasons).
- Because it’s a fairly new model, long-term reliability data is scarce. Some of the compromises (lighter parts, more tech, novel packaging) carry risks over time.
Less extreme performance
- 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) is quoted around 7.4 seconds for the smaller battery, and 7.7 seconds for the long-range battery. That’s fine, but not dazzling.
- Top speed is modest (Kia states ~170 km/h).
My verdict: design win with caveats
In short: the EV4 is a seriously intriguing car. It leans more toward “design perfection” than “bad move,” but whether it’s right for you depends heavily on your priorities.
If I were choosing, here’s how I’d think:
- If your daily use is urban/suburban driving, you’ll appreciate its comfort, tech, and style.
- If you’re charging often on long highway trips, the 400V architecture and slower charging will bite you relative to more premium rivals.
- If you demand sporty dynamics or razor-sharp steering, you might feel it falls short.
- The success will hinge on whether Kia can deliver strong value in your country. A great price can tip the scales.