Kia EV4

The Kia EV4 is in the most popular segment in the world: that of mid-size cars. That presents opportunities, but also challenges. After all, buyers in one part of the world have very different preferences than buyers in another. This is partly why Kia adopts two styles for electric cars: a "block style" for SUVs and a more streamlined design for conventional low cars. Both use straight lines with sharp corners and both have small headlights for a sharp look. When that style was applied to a burly mid-size car, one part of the world raved, while opinions in Europe were divided. That is why the EV4 is available in two variants: hatchback for Europe and the "Fastback" for the rest of the world.

Despite Kia's good intentions, Autozine takes issue with the styling of the EV4 hatchback driven here. For instance, the nose is extremely low, making the cabin seem unusually large. The c-pillar is very large, making the rear feel heavier than the front. Finally, the windows in the front door are optically shorter than those in the rear door. It all makes the car's balance visually wrong.

Space

Then again, there is logic behind the design! After all, the EV4 is meant to be Kia's family car. That's why the designers made that wheelbase as long as possible for maximum interior space. In the front, there is therefore not only plenty of head and legroom, but also plenty of freedom (and storage space!) around the front seats. To emphasise that this is not an SUV, the seat is extra low (4 cm lower than that of the EV3). For people of small stature, it is difficult to find a seating position. The footrest comes too far forward, while the steering wheel is insufficiently adjustable for them.

The space in the rear of the EV4 is unprecedented for a car in this segment. Thanks to the oddly large rear doors, access is easy, after which adults are also generously seated. The space in the back of this hatchback is even better than that of larger cars and SUVs! Luggage space is also substantial. The EV4 does not provide storage space under the bonnet ("frunk").

Equipment

On the dashboard is a display that extends from behind the steering wheel to halfway up the dashboard. This controls most functions, but physical buttons are available for frequently used items. Thereby, many functions can be operated with buttons on the steering wheel. In practice, Kia has found a good balance in this. Functions were never searched for and safety was never compromised by having to scroll through menus on a screen while driving.

Kia provides its own infotainment system and so does not rely on external parties for updates or expansion of functionality. The optional audio system from Harman Karon has a full and commercial sound.

The active safety features, as with other brands, are too prominent and make many mistakes (reading traffic signs for other lanes/exits, no traffic insight). Kia has therefore made it easy to disable them.

Electric car

When the Kia EV6 was introduced, the manufacturer was at the forefront of battery technology and electric propulsion. That technology has only improved over the years and is now finding its way into an everyday model like this EV4. Thereby, the aforementioned long wheelbase offers room for a large battery pack. The "long range"version driven here (81.4 kWh battery) therefore has a theoretical range of 625 km. With this, Kia is targeting buyers who cannot recharge at home, on the road or at work and therefore have to recharge periodically (use like a petrol-engined car: fill, drive until empty and fill again).

Kia exploits all the benefits that electric driving offers, starting with the ability to power electric appliances (V2L), power a home (V2H) and feed energy back to the grid (V2G). To keep the price down, the EV4 does not feature 800-volt technology, but 400-volt technology. Nevertheless, under ideal conditions, the battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes.

The EV4 initially responds calmly and reluctantly to the accelerator. However, as soon as it is pressed, power is immediately available, giving the superior feeling that comes with electric driving. Levers on the steering wheel can be used to determine in steps how much the car reduces speed when releasing the throttle and thus how much energy is recovered.

During the test drive on a demanding route under favourable weather conditions, test consumption came to 15.3 kWh per 100 km, which is average for a car like this. The electric motor and driving wind are virtually inaudible, with driving noise coming mainly from the tyres. On good road surfaces, the EV4 is whisper quiet.

Handling

Kia has not only designed the EV4 hatchback for Europe, its handling has also been tailored to European tastes. According to Kia, over thousands of kilometres on the German Nürburgring, the handling has been refined by the engineers. Yet in practice, little of this is noticeable. Although the steering offers some resistance, it is numb. The car always responds to driver commands with some delay. This limits communication and results in an artificial feel.

Only by driving a lot is it noticeable that the balance of the suspension is good. The EV4 responds good-naturedly in extreme situations. The electronics try to make driving as easy as possible by responding the same under varying conditions. This makes driving the EV4 less strenuous for the driver and more comfortable for the passengers.

Conclusion

Can a mid-sized car with an average price still be special? Definitely! The EV4 stands out for its looks, although that won't be to everyone's taste. Its unusual lines make for exceptional interior space, and for a family car that is a major plus. On top of that, the EV4 has a modern electric powertrain and Kia exploits all the benefits of electric driving, including the ability to feed electricity back. The range is as great as that of a similar petrol-powered car.

The handling is not very pronounced. The EV4 barely communicates with the driver and the feeling that is there is artificial. This is a big difference from the Kia EV3, which actually stands out from the competition with its superior handling. However, the EV4 is meant to be a family car and therefore a restrained character has been chosen where quietness and comfort are paramount.