The EV4 looks like a cross between a sedan and a hatchback.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Of all the many numbers and statistics attached to the Kia EV4, there’s only one that really matters: 38,995. That’s the price, in Canadian dollars, of the Korean maker’s new all-electric sedan, and it makes it the least expensive new production EV in Canada. Finally, a car more people can actually afford.
That’s the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the most basic edition, which will have just over $2,000 added to it for freight and pre-delivery inspection and various fees, and then taxes on top of that. It means you should be able to drive one out of the showroom door next spring for about $45,000 all in – though your insurance premium will add to it, of course.
This makes the EV4 about $1,000 cheaper than the least-costly new Chevrolet Bolt and about $6,000 cheaper than the least-costly new Nissan Leaf. The prices aren’t directly comparable, of course, because each car offers different features, but the basic EV4 “Light” is well equipped for its price. It has a smaller, 58.3-kilowatt-hour battery that offers a maximum claimed range of just 391 kilometres, but the next trim level, the $42,995 “Wind”, has an 81.4-kilowatt-hour battery and a heat pump, with a range of 552 kilometres.
The cabin feels upscale for the price and there are few physical buttons and switches.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Yes, it’s still expensive compared to a gas-powered vehicle. The Kia K4 sedan, which is an almost identical size, starts at $23,995, which is a full $15,000 cheaper than its all-electric sibling. But that’s not the point. The EV4’s price stands out because it’s finally dropping to affordable levels. It’s well below the average price of a new car in Canada, which AutoTrader currently lists at just over $63,000.
Some provinces still have small EV rebate programs, though they’re soon to end, and the federal government says it will reinstate its own rebate program for EVs, scrapped a year ago, but has not given any details nor an expected date. It’s best not to include such money in any purchase decision. What you can consider, however, is that the greater initial capital cost of an electric vehicle is often repaid over its lifetime in savings of fuel consumption and maintenance. The actual amounts and timeframe to break even will depend on your usage and lifestyle.
Looks
The EV4 is not ugly, but it does look like a mish-mash between sedan and hatchback. There’s a traditional trunk that’s integrated into a sloping rear window that extends from the roof with a distinctive split roof spoiler. Kia calls the design “futuristic,” and says it creates a slippery drag co-efficient of 0.23.
There’s a traditional trunk that’s integrated into a sloping rear window that extends from the roof with a distinctive split roof spoiler.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Interior
The cabin feels surprisingly upscale for the price, with plenty of recycled materials in the plastic and seats and carpets that don’t feel cheap and create a quiet and comfortable ride. It’s spacious, like most EVs with flat floors, and there are few physical buttons and switches. Most everything is organized through the large touchscreen or by voice commands. You’ll either love that or hate it.
The rear seats on the EV4, which almost fold flat in a 60-40 split.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
Performance
Power is unremarkable for an electric vehicle – there’s no neck-snapping acceleration from the single motor, but most buyers wouldn’t expect that and it’s not slow. An all-wheel-drive version is expected later in the year that will undoubtedly be quicker and more costly. More impressive is the smooth ride on exceptional suspension that uses multi-link geometry at the rear and McPherson struts at the front.
The driving range depends on the trim level. The cheapest edition, with the smaller battery and no heat pump, has a claimed range of 391 kilometres, while the larger battery varies from 488 kilometres in the most expensive editions (which are heavier and have 19-inch wheels) to a respectable 552 kilometres in the more-affordable Wind edition.
Technology
There’s a full range of driver’s assistance features sold with the least expensive editions, including smart cruise control, lane-keeping assistance and rear-blind-spot monitoring and assistance. You have to go to the most expensive trim to get the really clever stuff, such as remote smart parking and enhanced collision avoidance. It all works well in the background, where it should be.
The EV4 uses 400-volt technology, unlike the more costly 800-volt architecture of the outgoing EV6. Its bigger battery can recharge from 10-to-80 per cent in about half an hour at a (still rare) 350-kilowatt charger, or about 80 minutes at a 50-kilowatt charger. The charging port is the North American Charging Standard (NACS), developed by Tesla and allowing charges at most Tesla stations.
Cargo
Cargo space is adequate, with 408 litres in the trunk (just five litres less than the gas-powered K4) and no frunk under the hood. The rear seats fold almost flat in a 60-40 split, which makes the trunk considerably more practical for bulky luggage.
Cargo space is adequate with 408 litres in the trunk.Mark Richardson/The Globe and Mail
The verdict
Five years ago, the Kia EV4 would have been considered miraculous for an electric vehicle, with its extensive standard features and a range of more than 500 kilometres. These days, it’s more average as other automakers have caught up, but now it’s the price that makes it exceptional. Most buyers will probably opt for the long-range Wind edition for an extra $4,000, and for that price – below $50,000 after all taxes and fees are included – they’ll get good value indeed.
Tech specs
2026 Kia EV4
- Base price / as tested: $38,995 / $51,995, plus freight and pre-delivery inspection, plus fees and tax
- Motor / battery: Single motor on 400-volt architecture / 58.3 kilowatt-hour or 81.4 kilowatt-hour
- Horsepower / torque (lb-ft): 201 / 209
- Drive: Front-wheel drive
- Power consumption (NRCan ratings)/Charging capacity: n/a (16.9 kWh observed) / 250 kW
- Range (claimed and observed): 391 – 552 kilometres
- Alternatives: Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3
The writer was a guest of the automaker. Content was not subject to approval.
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