like Each new EV Today’s debut is the SUV-the nature of battery technology (and American car shopping preferences) requires almost it. So it’s refreshing to see Kia kick off this week’s 2025 New York Auto Show, making its debut in the new 2026 KIA EV4 electric sedan, along with a burning K4 hatchback that squeezes a lot of utility into the smaller package. Located at the entrance to the Kia lineup, these slightly smaller cars will be a more affordable option when they arrive next year, which is a big deal. How expensive most things seem to be.
I’m most interested and excited about the EV4, and I think you will do the same. The EV4 debuted in North America, fast and loose in what I think is the traditional “sedan profile”. EV4 Leadership Details and Scale From Kia’s EV6one of my favorite EVs, but the shape suddenly transforms into a sweeping fast back at the rear door – almost like Kia Copy superimposed the rear end of its K4 sedan onto the EV.
From some perspectives, the overall appearance is awkward and a little disconnected. But when the car designers get weird, I love it, and the overall look of the sedan starts to grow on me.
Up to 330 miles
Beneath the black plastic cladding of metal sheet metal and glossy, you will find the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric global modular platformwhich also supports almost all dedicated EV models of HMG, Ioniq 5 arrive EV9. The EV4 will arrive in early 2026, powered by a single 150 kilowatt (201-hp) motor and offers the option of two 400-volt batteries. The base EV4 Light costs 58.3 kWh and is expected to reach 235 miles per charge. Upgrade to EV4 wind or the top-tier EV4 GT line to 81.4 kWh units, expected to rise to up to 330 miles of Kia estimated range in (presumably) lighter winds.
Drivers will be able to quickly move the EV4 from 10% to 80% of the 29 to 31 minutes through the car’s built-in (depending on the battery they have) North American charging system port. The charging port of the EV4 has been moved to the front passenger side, and the automaker believes it is a more convenient charging location when parking your nose at the Tesla supercharger station. Personally, I prefer the rear corner position of HMG other electric cars, but I am also one of those annoying drivers who go back to every parking space where possible.
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The standard NACS charging port means that the EV4 will be able to be collected within the Tesla supercharger station.
Safety and convenience technology
The EV4 feature set is a new version 3.0 of the automaker’s I-Pedal variable regenerative braking system, which automatically adjusts the level of the re-level based on speed and distance from the leading vehicle. Now, when the EV4 is restarted, the system now works the opposite way and retains the driver’s preferred regeneration level. Like other E-GMP vehicles, this vehicle is compatible with automakers’ vehicle-to-load adapters, allowing owners to convert external charging ports into familiar 120 volt/15 amp power outlets to run devices, devices or tools while parked in the EV4.
Inside, on the EV4’s now familiar dual 12.3-inch display digital dashboard with a dedicated 5-inch climate display (similar to the EV9’s dashboard), it’s promising to settle down on the road ahead. The cabin technology suite includes a new Kia AI assistant, which will help drivers turn their attention to these screens while using natural language voice commands. Digital Key 2.0 Tech is also available, which allows drivers to throw away cell phones, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay connections, and standard highway driving assistant safety technology. EV4’s software will be updated with KIA Connect Data Connection and purchase features on every on-demand, and the owner must subscribe to maintain after three years of trial.
Before the 2026 Kia EV4 lands on the U.S. roads in early 2026, there are a lot of gaps to fill, including the EPA range and final pricing of the South Korean-made EV. More details are expected to be announced in the coming months.
2026 Kia K4 hatchback
For shoppers with strong budgets aren’t ready to fly to the electric, the automaker also made its debut with its burn-in 2026 K4 hatchback. Most specifications are the same as the sedan until you reach the 22.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity of the K4 hatchback behind the rear seats (up from 14.6 cubic feet), which expands to 59.3 cubic meters when these seats fold. Interestingly, despite maintaining the same rear leg room, the hatchback is also shorter than 11 inches from bumper to bumper and has about an inch of extra rear headroom.
The 2026 KIA K4 hatchback will be equipped with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that gives 147 hp and 132 lb-ft of torque or turbocharged 1.6 liters, which can boost 190 hp and 195 lb-ft. The first example is expected to arrive at dealers by the end of 2025, with prices, fuel economy and other details appearing before that.
