Kia EV4 612km Range And 49k Entry Price Battles Tesla and BYD

Kia just chucked the EV4 sedan into local showrooms, proving they aren’t slowing down on the electric front in the continuing fight against the Chinese invasion. It joins the EV3, EV5, EV6, and EV9, trying to cover every niche imaginable. This isn’t another jellybean shaped commuter, it is meant to be a low, aerodynamic sedan designed to steal eyes and market share from the usual suspects. Will it? Only time will tell.

Starting at $49,990, the entry level Air gets a 58.3kWh battery and a decent 456km range. If you have deeper pockets and a lead foot, the Earth and GT-Line variants step up to a larger 81.4kWh battery. Its range is 612km, the longest legs of any Kia EV to date.

The styling follows the Opposites United philosophy, which in normal person speak means it looks like something out of a sci-fi flick, but it is directly compared to sexy MG IM5 and 6 with more gear and longer range. The front looks chunky enough, but the awkward tail profile looks strange in an attempt to get the drag coefficient of just 0.23Cd. That makes it the most aerodynamic car Kia has ever.

The front end is all sharp lines and vertical lighting typical of Kia’s new EV language except for the EV6. The GT-Line gads a fancy Star Map signature and projection LEDs that look a touch more dramatic. Those who think the ICE powered K4 looks like a fumble may also find the EV4 equally clumsy.

Underneath the skin is the E-GMP platform. Kia Australia’s Graeme Gambold laid his hands on the ride and handling boss to tweak the suspension. He and his team spent months adjusting dampers and steering tunes to ensure the EV4 doesn’t get rattled by our pothole riddled goat tracks masquerading as highways. It is tuned for a balance of urban comfort and enough cornering response to keep things interesting. Factory tuning is usually either rock hard or spongy and soft so Australian drivers get a bespoke set of specifications just for them.

Performance is adequate with the 150kW electric motor driving the front wheels to 100km/h in 7.4 seconds, and the heavier long range Earth and GT-Line taking 7.8 seconds. For the

The cabin is minimalistic. The home like space uses the ubiquitous integrated panoramic display that combines two 12.3 inch screens and a smaller 5 inch climate panel. It is clean, uncluttered, and swaps out most buttons for a few well placed physical controls for the stuff you regularly use.

The tech list is equally ubiquitous. You get wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Kia Connect, which lets you pre-condition the cabin from your phone before you leave the house. There are also Over The Air updates, so the car gets better while it sits in your driveway. The GT-Line goes even further with a Harman Kardon sound system and the Premium Relaxation seats. One touch of a button and the seat reclines into a zero gravity position for a snooze while you wait for the battery to top up. We’ll be keeping an eye on Kia and other OTA-equipped brands to make sure they don’t start extorting money from users like BMW and Mercedes Benz does. 4-wheel steering, wireless carplay, heated seats and steering wheel are among the “subscription” items the Germans ask extra cash for even though these are already installed. We are watching you Kia!

ABOVE: The new Kia EV4 – Awkward from some angles

The 400V system is enough, but not up to some of the rest of the Kia models and far short of the IM5’s top model. Plug into a 350kW fast charger and you will go from 10 to 80 per cent in about half an hour. While this sounds impressive, it isn’t. Maximum DC charge rate is 135kw. The BYD Seal is a clear winner on most criteria and is something buyers will want to investigate.

i-Pedal 3.0 allows for true one pedal driving that remembers your settings even after you turn the car off. It is the little details that stop an EV from being a chore to drive, unlike the constant need to silence the warning bongs. That’s a story for another time.

Safety includes Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision Avoidance, and a centre side airbag to stop you and your passenger from knocking heads in a bingle. They are currently working with ANCAP to get the expected five star rating.

The EV4 also pushes the sustainability angle hard. No more leather interiors here. Kia is using bio based materials, recycled plastics, and BTX free paint. With three trim levels and eight colours ranging from Yacht Blue to a punchy Magma Red, there is plenty of choice.

Kia is clearly playing for keeps in a very tough market. By offering a sedan that actually looks distinctive and has the range to back it up, they are making it harder to justify sticking with petrol. The EV4 is sharp, smart, and priced to move but the question is; can the Kia EV4

Category	EV4 Air (Standard Range)	EV4 Earth & GT-Line (Long Range)
Battery Capacity	58.3kWh	81.4kWh
Chemistry	Lithium-ion NCM	Lithium-ion NCM
Architecture	400V E-GMP	400V E-GMP
Power / Torque	150kW / 283Nm	150kW / 283Nm
Drive Type	Front-Wheel Drive	Front-Wheel Drive
0-100km/h	7.4 seconds	7.8 seconds
Range (WLTP)	456km	612km
Max DC Charge Rate	100kW	135kW
DC Charge (10-80%)	29 minutes (350kW)	31 minutes (350kW)
Max AC Charge Rate	11kW	11kW
Dimensions	4730mm L, 1860mm W, 1480mm H	4730mm L, 1860mm W, 1480mm H
Wheelbase	2820mm	2820mm
Boot Space	490L	490L
Weight (Kerb)	1805kg	1912kg
Towing (Braked)	500kg	1000kg
Price (RRP)	$49,990	$59,190 (Earth) / $64,690 (GT-Line)

Let’s compare the competition-

If you want the 800V tech in the MG, you have to shell out $69,990 for the Platinum. That gets you the 396kW charging that can top the car up in 15 minutes, but at the $60k entry point, you are stuck with 400V.

The Kia EV4 still holds the range crown in this group, even if it is the slowest to 100km/h. It is built for the long haul, not the drag strip. The MG is physically the largest car here, offering more “limo” vibes, but the BYD Seal remains the king of performance value for now.

The awkward Kia EV4 is the range king of the “affordable” pack, especially in GT-Line trim. While the aging Tesla Model 3 and sexy new MG IM5 offer more punch and rear drive dynamics, they cannot touch the Kia for outright distance between plugs. If you are chasing value, the BYD Seal Dynamic is the cheapest entry point, but the Kia’s local suspension tune makes it the better pick for actual Australian roads.

Feature	Kia EV4 Air	Kia EV4 GT-Line	Tesla Model 3 RWD	MG IM5 Premium	BYD Seal Dynamic
Price (RRP)	$49,990	$64,690	$54,900	$60,990	$46,990
Drivetrain	FWD	FWD	RWD	RWD	RWD
Power	150kW	150kW	208kW	217kW	150kW
0-100km/h	7.4s	7.8s	6.1s	6.8s	7.5s
Battery Size	58.3kWh	81.4kWh	60kWh	75kWh	61.4kWh
Range (WLTP)	456km	612km	513km	490km	460km
Architecture	400V	400V	400V	400V	400V
Boot Space	490L	490L	594L	457L	400L

• Other GayCarBoys EV Stories:

  • The Trouble with Electric Car Charging-Polestar 2
  • 2022 Polestar 2 Dual Motor Review
  • Polestar 2’s Android Google Operating System Top 10 Tips
  • Polestar 2 VS Tesla Model 3
  • Polestar 2 Where Its Google OS is Star-Trek-Meets-Car-Trek
  • How Much and How Long to Charge My Polestar 2?
  • We drive 2019 Jaguar I-Pace SE EV400 Electric car
  • 2023 IONIQ5 Epiq VS 2023 Genesis GV70 Electrified IS ONE BETTER?
  • 2021 Hyundai IONIQ 5 EV Review
  • KIA’s EV6 is Finally Here: What a Cracker! FULL REVIEW
  • 2021 KIA Niro EV, PHEV and Hybrid First Drive

---

Written by Alan Zurvas

Alan Zurvas is the founder and editor of Gay Car Boys, Australia's leading LGBTQI+ automotive publication. Before launching GCB in 2008, Alan's automotive writing was published in SameSame.com.au and the Star Observer. With over 16 years of hands-on car reviewing experience, Alan brings an honest, irreverent voice to every review — championing value and innovation over brand loyalty.