The brand new and fully electric Let’s EV4 will launch Down Under in January, in conjunction with the Korean brand’s sponsorship of the annual Australian Open Tennis Grand Slam.
Unlike the other previous electric models with the Kia EV badge, the EV4 is a car and not an SUV. The midsize car is already available in the UK and Europe as a five-door hatchback and a four-door fastback (liftback sedan), although it will initially only be offered here in the latter body style.
Positioned alongside the EV5 mid-size SUV, the EV4 is based on the same 400V version of the dedicated Hyundai-Kia E-GMP electric vehicle architecture as the EV3 small SUV and offers a range of up to 630 km on the WLTP cycle when equipped with the available Long Range battery.
Only a single-engine powertrain will be offered at launch – a 150 kW/283 Nm unit that drives the front axle. Measuring 4730mm long and 1860mm wide, the EV4 Fastback is about the same size as the K4 sedan, which currently only has an internal combustion engine. It’s also 10mm longer than a Tesla Model 3, while being 73mm narrower with a 55mm shorter wheelbase.
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Pricing and specifications for the Australian market have yet to be announced, although we can expect a starting price not too dissimilar to that of the dimensionally smaller EV3 crossover. In Kia’s home market of South Korea, the EV4 costs just 500,000 won (A$513) more than the base-level EV3.
The MY26 Kia EV3 currently starts at $47,600 before on-road costs for the entry-level Air Standard Range, rising to $63,950 plus on-road costs for the GT-Line Long Range. Like the EV4, all launch versions of the EV3 are currently single-engine and front-wheel drive.
This pricing suggests the EV4 could launch in Australia at a price under $50,000, giving Kia a significant price advantage over the popular Model 3, which currently retails at $54,900 plus on-road costs. However, the BYD Seal remains the price king in the small to medium-sized electric sedan sector with a starting price of $46,990 plus on-roads.
Expect the EV4 Fastback to offer a similar ride height to the EV3, i.e. in base Air, mid-spec Earth and top-spec GT-Line trim levels. Kia’s Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging function and i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking system are also available.
The EV4 Hatch is manufactured exclusively at Kia’s European factory in Slovakia, while the fastback sedan for Australia is sourced from Korea.
While an Australian launch is not entirely ruled out, higher manufacturing and freight costs as well as unfavorable exchange rates remain factors in establishing a local business model for the EV4 Hatch, including the upcoming GT performance flagship, which will be unveiled at the Brussels Motor Show in early January alongside the smaller EV2.
Stay tuned to Daily Sparkz for the latest developments!
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