Kia Australia is making a brave move by introducing an EV sedan into a market that is rapidly shifting toward SUV models. Officially pulling the covers off its most aggressive electric play yet, Kia let slip local pricing for the “razor-sharp” EV4 sedan and a refreshed, battery-boosted EV6.
The EV4 follows the new Kia design language, for better or for worse. Looking similar to the K4, the EV4 arrives in dealerships later this month. It is based on the e-GMP platform and comes in three trims: Air, Earth, and the flagship GT-Line (why not call it Fire?). Air offers a decent-ish 58.3kWh setup, while Earth and GT-Line have an 81.4kWh Long Range package—and we all love a big package. This powertrain brings a promised 612km WLTP range, the longest distance any Kia has ever travelled on a single charge. We’ll believe it when we see it, right?
Spec sheet aside, Kia Australia’s engineers laid hands on the EV4 through a brutal local ride and handling program. The soft, global tune just won’t wash here. Instead, it is a bespoke, Australian-bred suspension tune that copes with our appalling coarse-chip bitumen and picturesque mountain passes, then the Coles car park on the way home. I don’t know why Kia feels the need to point that out; it isn’t as if every car and SUV sold isn’t asked to do the same. Sometimes PR fluff sounds rather twee, doesn’t it?
Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review –2026 Mitsubishi ASX and why it doesn’t stand a chance
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ABOVE: Kia EV4 and EV6
Then there is the evolution of the rather gorgeous EV6. Already a trophy-magnet, the updated model gets a bigger 84kWh high-voltage battery. The trio starts with the Air RWD with a claimed 582km. Kia has installed Kia Connect and Over-the-Air (OTA) updates across the entire line-up, something already in many of its other offerings.
Despite the wee upgrades and heftier battery, Kia has only added a $70 increase across the range. It’s a calculated, high-stakes move that tries to answer the competitive challenge. The reality is Chinese brands are offering far more for fewer shekels, and Kia knows it. Chinese car makers are doing to the Koreans what the Koreans did to the Japanese, and what the Japanese did to Australian brands. Although, one might argue Australia never had its own brands—every single car manufacturer was foreign-owned. Chinese brands have improved out of sight and are much cheaper, with technology on par, if not better. The next year will be an interesting time as we watch for the next brand to slip from the top ten, displaced by intense competition. But I digress.
Who is on the Chopping Block for 2026?
- Mitsubishi: With a massive 17.9% drop and a reliance on an ageing line-up, they are currently in the crosshairs of GWM and BYD.
- MG: Despite holding the #10 spot, they took a nasty 18.4% hit last year as newer Chinese rivals like Chery and BYD cannibalised their “value” territory.
- Isuzu Ute: They are essentially a two-trick pony (D-MAX and MU-X). With the BYD Shark 6 already a top-selling model in monthly reports, Isuzu’s dominance in the ute/large SUV space is under serious threat.
- The “One to Watch”: Chery finished 2025 in 13th place but grew by over 170%. They are widely tipped to crack the Top 10 this year, likely at the expense of MG or Isuzu.
| Rank | Brand | 2025 Sales | Trend |
| 1 | Toyota | 239,863 | Down 0.6% |
| 2 | Ford | 94,399 | Down 5.8% |
| 3 | Mazda | 91,923 | Down 4.2% |
| 4 | Kia | 82,105 | Up 0.4% |
| 5 | Hyundai | 77,208 | Up 7.7% |
| 6 | Mitsubishi | 61,198 | Down 17.9% |
| 7 | GWM | 52,809 | Up 23.4% |
| 8 | BYD | 52,415 | Up 156.2% |
| 9 | Isuzu Ute | 42,297 | Down 12.2% |
| 10 | MG | 41,298 | Down 18.4% |
| Model | Trim | Battery / Powertrain | Range (WLTP) | RRP | ||||
| EV4 | Air | 58.3kWh / Single Motor FWD | 456km | $49,990 | ||||
| EV4 | Earth | 81.4kWh / Single Motor FWD | 612km | $59,190 | ||||
| EV4 | GT-Line | 81.4kWh / Single Motor FWD | 612km | $64,690 | ||||
| EV6 | Air RWD | 84kWh / Single Motor RWD | 582km | $72,660 | ||||
| EV6 | GT-Line RWD | 84kWh / Single Motor RWD | 560km | $79,660 | ||||
| EV6 | GT-Line AWD | 84kWh / Dual Motor AWD | 522km | $87,660 | ||||
| EV6 | GT AWD | 84kWh / Dual Motor AWD | 450km | $99,660 | ||||
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.
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