The Kia EV4 is a brand-new model for 2026. It is Kia’s first electric sedan in America, and it’s based on the Hyundai Group’s well-known and excellent E-GMP electric vehicle platform. It will be offered with two battery capacities, the larger of which promises an estimated range of up to 330 miles, and three trim levels.
2026 Kia EV4 Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the 2026 Kia EV4
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the 2026 Kia EV4
Despite the fact that this is Kia’s first electric sedan, the 2026 EV4 is based upon the same platform as Kia’s own EV6 and EV9, along with the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 and the Genesis GV60. All of those machines are compelling electric vehicles (EVs) in their respective classes, so we have little reason to believe the EV4 will be any different.
Design
The 2026 Kia EV4 adopts a unique look that, while clearly related to the EV6 and EV9, stands out from other electric sedans available in America. Kia says the K4 boasts “a low nose, long-tail silhouette, and fastback roofline for a unique and sporty profile.” The overall look is distinctive and unlike anything else currently on the road. 17-inch wheels come standard, while upper-level models will get 19-inch wheels.
Powertrain
All 2026 Kia EV4 models will feature a 201-horsepower electric motor powering the front wheels. Two batteries with different capacities will be offered. EV4 Light models feature 58.3-kWh battery packs to provide an estimated 235-mile range. Wind and GT-Line EV4 models get larger 81.4-kWh batteries offering up to 330 miles of range. Kia claims that the EV4 can charge from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 29 minutes with the smaller 58.3-kWh battery and 31 minutes for the larger 81.4-kWh pack. The Kia EV4 uses the North American Charging Standard (NACS), the charging port that Tesla pioneered, meaning drivers can take advantage of the vast Supercharger public charging network.
The Kia EV4 features the latest version of the Hyundai Group’s i-Pedal 3.0 system, which allows for one-pedal driving. The driver can dial up various levels of regenerative braking, with the most aggressive setting able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop when the operator lets off the accelerator pedal.
[interior photo]
Interior
Compared to the Tesla Model 3, which is the best-selling electric sedan in America, the Kia EV4’s interior won’t be a shock to anyone coming from a gasoline-powered car. The dashboard stretches across the car’s cabin and is dominated by dual 12.3-inch screens along with a secondary 5-inch display for climate control functions. Some buyers may appreciate the EV4’s available 64-color dynamic ambient lighting setup that can bathe the interior in a wide range of hues.
Technology
Kia’s available Digital Key 2.0 system allows the driver or their passengers to access the EV4 with a compatible smartphone or mobile device. The tech further allows remote control of the door locks and climate controls. Wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto are also offered in the EV4. They run through a 12.3-inch infotainment display which combines in a single housing with a dedicated 5-inch climate control screen and a 12.3-inch fully digital gauge cluster, adding up to nearly 30 inches of digital display real estate.
Safety
Kia’s Highway Driving Assist technology is standard in the EV4. This Level 2 semi-autonomous driving system is designed to use speed limit information from the navigation system on controlled access roads (like highways and interstates). This data allows it to automatically adjust the vehicle’s set speed according to the posted speed limit, in addition to maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front. The EV4 is further available with driver-attention warning, forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-following assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
A hands-on detection system is also standard. HOD is designed to sense contact between the driver's hands and the steering wheel, which is necessary for activation and deactivation of advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) warnings.
Pricing and Release Date
The Kia EV4 won’t hit the market in the United States until the first quarter of 2026. Pricing is not yet available, but Kia says the sedan is designed to offer “a more practical and affordable option on the EV landscape.” That suggests to us that this new model may come in under the EV6’s current $42,600 starting price.