2026 Kia EV4 First Look

Kia builds out its electric-car lineup with a stylish new compact sedan.

Andrew Ganz | 

Apr 16, 2025 | 3 min read

Kia

The 2026 Kia EV4, which debuted for the U.S. market at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, isn't the automaker's first electric vehicle, but it is Kia's first all-electric sedan. With a streamlined shape and a long, arching roofline, the EV4 doesn't look like a conventional sedan.

Here's what you need to know about the EV4, which joins the Niro EV, the EV6, and the EV9 as Kia's fourth all-electric model.

Kia

2026 Kia EV4: Range

The EV4 will come in Light, Wind, and GT-Line trims and offer two battery options: a 58.3-kilowatt-hour (kWh) unit for the Light model and an 81.4-kWh option for the Wind and GT-Line trims, according to Kia. The automaker also said it estimates up to 330 miles of range on a full charge in the Wind trim, while that figure is reduced by about 100 miles to 235 in the Light trim.

When hooked up to a Level 3 DC fast charger, the EV4's battery can go from 10% to 80% charge in around 30 minutes — with just a few minutes' difference between battery types — via a North American Charging Standard (NACS) charging port on the front fender. An available vehicle-to-load system gives the EV4 the ability to charge smaller electronic devices such as laptops.

Unlike some other EVs, the EV4 has only one electric motor, which supplies power to the front wheels. At least initially, the EV4 will not be available with all-wheel drive.

The EV4 does feature a one-pedal driving mode, which the automaker says works in both forward and reverse. The system retains its previous setting after each restart, meaning drivers don't have to configure their preference every time they get in.

Kia

2026 Kia EV4: Design

The EV4's complex, vertical-style headlights and hexagon-like fender flares tie it visually to the larger EV9, though its fastback-inspired silhouette sets it apart.

The Light and Wind trim levels ride on 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels, while the sportier-looking GT-Line offers 19-inch aluminum alloy wheels and a few different exterior design cues. Kia said the EV4's design helps the sedan boast a very low coefficient of drag at 0.23.

Inside, the EV4's dash features a single display panel housing the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen, along with a 5.0-inch climate display and a few conventional buttons and knobs. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality comes standard, and the EV4 includes Kia's AI assistant, intended to adapt to users' commands over time.

Kia

2026 Kia EV4: Features and On-Sale Date

Kia plans to launch the South Korean-built EV4 in early 2026. However, the automaker has yet to estimate pricing or detail the trim levels.

The EV should offer a variety of advanced driver-assistance features, in addition to comfort-related options, such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and memory for the power-adjustable driver's seat.

Andrew Ganz

Andrew has been hooked on cars since his mother coaxed him into naps by driving him around in her rattly old diesel Mercedes-Benz. Perhaps it was the diesel fumes that lulled him to sleep. Either way, he has since parlayed his automotive enthusiasm into a decades-long career as a journalist writing for such well-known sites as Auto Express, Autoblog, Car and Driver, Leftlane News, Motor1, Motor Authority, and The Car Connection, not to mention numerous classic-car publications. When he's not researching cars, he's probably working on one — though he has yet to own a diesel Mercedes. Off to the classifieds he goes.