Kia EV4 review: The family-friendly EV that dares to be different

We test drive the hatchback and fastback versions of the intriguing all-electric Kia EV4

It could be argued that the bold styling of the latest EV from Kia is a sure sign of the South Korean car company’s growing confidence.

Borrowing design cues from its cousins, the EV3, EV6 and EV9, it’s less angular with smoother surfaces, and it features a low-slung bonnet with vertical front headlights pushed to the corners.

A direct rival to the all-electric Volkswagen ID.3, MG4 and Cupra Born, the EV4 is available as a hatchback – and unlike its competitors – also as a “fastback” saloon.

Whichever version you choose, the EV4’s design is at its most divisive at the rear.

Of the two, the hatchback’s design is the more convincing, while the fastback is just odd, and that’s being charitable. The overhang is massive and there are boomerang-shaped LED tail lights. It may be Kia’s most aerodynamic EV ever, but it’s just not quite right. Judge for yourself.

In terms of size, the EV4 hatchback is about the same size as a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra, while the fastback is 30cm bigger, making it longer than an EV6.

I admire car companies that dare to be different, but frankly I can’t imagine why someone would choose the fastback over the hatchback.

Interestingly, globally the fastback is expected to be the more popular version, but in the UK as many as 85% of customers will choose the hatchback.

Perhaps the only positive is that the fastback’s boot is an impressive 490 litres, compared to the hatch’s 435 litres.

Just like the rest of Kia’s EV range, the EV4 is offered in three trim levels (Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S).

Priced from £34,745, the entry-level Air hatchback is available with either a 58kWh battery or a larger 81kW pack, while the GT-Line and GT-Line S models are only be offered with the larger battery.

All versions of the EV4 have a single, front-mounted electric motor that delivers 201bhp and 209lb ft of torque.

That results in a decent 0-62mph time of 7.5 seconds in the lighter hatchback with the smaller battery. Upgrade to the bigger battery and that climbs to 7.7 seconds, while the GT-Line or GT-Line S trims nudge that figure up to 7.9 seconds.

The fastback is only available in GT-Line or GT-Line S trims and also takes 7.9 seconds to complete the 0-62mph sprint.

Range varies from a claimed 273 miles in the 58kWh hatchback to 388 miles in the 81kW hatchback (Air trim with 17-inch wheels) – the first time a Kia EV has offered a range of more than 380 miles on a single charge. The fastback tops out at a still impressive 380 miles.

If you’re familiar with Kia’s recent interior design, the EV4’s is much the same. Up front it’s uncluttered, yet user-friendly, with a triple-screen layout consisting of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the wheel, another 12.3-inch screen for the infotainment, and a 5.3-inch display between the two for climate controls.

It’s just a shame that climate section is slightly obscured by your hand when holding the wheel.

Thankfully, it’s not totally minimalist, like some rivals, so there are some buttons and you can adjust the wing mirrors without having to delve into the central touchscreen!

However, the driving position is a bit perched for my liking (I’m 5’11”) even at its lowest setting, the steering wheel would benefit from more adjustment and the left footrest could be closer.

There’s a huge amount of legroom at the back in both versions, which is just as well because there’s no room to stick your feet under the driver’s seat if it’s fully lowered.

Headroom in the hatchback is good, but passengers over six-foot will struggle in the fastback with its dramatically sloping roofline.

The fastback also has a narrower rear window, but even that doesn’t massively affect rear visibility.

Overall, it’s well equipped, there are plenty of soft-touch surfaces inside the cabin, the build quality is as good as ever, and the doors close with a satisfying clunk.

On the road, the EV4 feels wide at first, but you soon get used to it.

As you’d expect from those acceleration figures, it’s no slouch off the line, while the steering is light and the brakes are nicely progressive (not a given with hybrids and EVs).

The suspension set-up will be on the firm side for some, but it’s comfortable for the most part – even if it has a tendency to thud over really poor surfaces.

It’s probably at its best on motorways and fast A roads, where it feels smooth and refined, and there’s very little in the way of wind and road noise.

And while it’s capable and composed on more challenging roads, with plenty of grip and good body control, it’s hardly exciting.

Additionally, there are Snow, Eco, Normal and Sport drive modes accessed via a button on the steering wheel. As ever, default Normal offers the best blend of power and efficiency, though Sport is fun for short bursts.

You can also adjust the regenerative braking via paddles behind the wheel – great for clawing back charge while coasting to a halt or on downhill stretches of road.

Despite the weight and length difference, there’s little to choose between the hatchback and fastback on the road.

Ultimately, the EV4 doesn’t quite deliver the kind of driver involvement bonus you’d expect from a hatchback or saloon over an SUV.

When it comes to charging, a 10-80% battery boost takes 29 minutes (31 minutes for long range) when plugged into a 150kW DC fast charger – or 5hrs 20mins via an 11kW AC charger (7hrs 15mins for the bigger battery).

It’s efficient too. I achieved as much as 4.2 miles per kWh, which is good going. I’d say the real-world range of the larger battery models is an impressive 300 miles-plus.

As ever with a Kia, the EV4 comes with a generous seven-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Verdict: If you’re not a fan of SUVs, then the all-new Kia EV4 could be the electric vehicle for you. Not only do you get a choice of hatchback and fastback body styles, but an impressive long range, a spacious interior, comfortable driving experience and competitive pricing.

Review in association with AutomotiveBlog