By ElectricFuture Staff— September 2025
Say goodbye to another SUV. Kia’s new EV4 hatch slams open the door for electric non-SUVs with a bold style, roomy interior, and competitive range. But in a world increasingly dominated by tall-rugged crossovers, is there enough appetite for a hatchback?
Design & Build
- This is Kia’s first EV hatchback built in Europe, rolling off the line in Slovakia.
- Up front, the EV4 flaunts Kia’s “Star Map” lighting signature and sharp, sculpted curves. Some design cues are almost Lamborghini-like.
- It’s meant to be both distinct and practical. Measurements show it’s about 4,430 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,485 mm tall. Flat floor, wide boot, and room for luggage or golf clubs without gripping for space. Boot space is about 435 liters.
Tech & Comfort
- Inside, there’s no shortage of screens. Dual 12.3-inch displays for driver and infotainment, plus a 5.3-inch panel for climate control. Big icons. Responsive menus. Kia claims near-flawless usability.
- Rear head room & leg room are generous. Higher-spec trims add more creature comforts: heated seats, ambient lighting, etc. Some trade-offs: rear visibility suffers due to the sharply raked rear roofline, so you’ll want the camera & sensors.
Range, Battery & Variants
- Two battery options: 58.2 kWh (standard) or 81.4 kWh (long-range).
- WLTP ranges are appealing: ~273 miles for the standard pack; ~362-388 miles for the long-range versions depending on variant. That places the EV4 among the better long-range electric hatches.
Price & Positioning
- In the UK, the base EV4 “Air Standard Range” starts at about £34,695, and the longer range versions and upgraded trims run up to nearly £44,000.
- There are “GT-Line” and “GT-Line S” trims with more upscale features. Higher price, more tech. Typical for Kia’s strategy of offering tiers.
Pros, Cons & Will It Make a Dent?
Pros
- It fills a gap: stylish non-SUV EVs aren’t common in many markets. For buyers who dislike bulk, higher ride height, or the visibility/parking compromises of SUVs, the EV4 offers a strong alternative.
- Great interior space, modern tech, and long range put it in strong competitive shape vs. other EV hatchbacks (VW ID.3, Nissan Leaf, etc.).
- Kia’s build in Europe helps with local market costs, delivery times, and meeting regulations.
Cons / Challenges
- SUVs are still wildly popular. For many buyers, “SUV” = status, view, practicality, and they may stick with what’s familiar. Will they be motivated to go for a hatch instead?
- Rear visibility and rear window design may turn off some buyers. Perceived space versus actual ease of use matters (e.g. loading, rear seat passenger comfort, etc.).
- For markets like the U.S., this hatch version doesn’t seem to be coming. Kia plans to sell a Fastback / sedanversion in the U.S. first. So if you live outside Europe and prefer hatchbacks, you might be out of luck.
Bottom Line
If you love EVs, but hate being boxed into SUVs, the Kia EV4 hatch might be your ideal middle ground. It blends range, luxury features, and design in a way that few hatchbacks have lately. It won’t unseat SUVs overnight, but it may persuade enough buyers who’ve been waiting for something different.
If you’re watching the EV market, keep an eye on this one. Kia’s betting hatchbacks (and sedans) still have a role to play. And with spec, range, and comfort like this, that bet might not be a long shot.
ElectricFuture.org Verdict: The EV4 hatch is a strong argument that EV design diversity (beyond SUVs) still matters. It won’t dominate best-seller lists overnight, but it could be the EV that reminds people that practicality and style can go hand in hand — without piling into an SUV.
If you want, I can pull together a “competitive matrix” — comparing the EV4 to similar non-SUV EVs in its price-range, so buyers can see how it stacks up.
Electric Future 