Kia EV4: more affordable, compact EV on the way

Published: 29 August 2023 Updated: 29 August 2023

► Kia EV4 follows the EV5
► More compact and cheaper price
► Could use a 400V platform to cut costs

You’re looking at a very early prototype of the Kia EV4, another forthcoming model designed to flesh out the cheaper end of the brand’s EV offering. These pictures also mark the first time the EV has been seen testing in Europe. 

Kia EV4 from the side

There’s not much to go on design-wise as most of the car is covered, but indentations in the camo point at something that subscribes to both the Kia EV9 and EV5’s design. Like Hyundai, Kia appears to be creating a very loose family resemblance across its electric vehicle range – and the EV4 is the latest in the trend.

The EV4 looks to be running near-production wheels too – which again point to a more compact EV that riffs on the EV9’s bold, chunky styling. 

Kia EV4 rear angle

What else? 

As you’d expect from the name, the EV4 sits just under the recently revealed EV5 and is set to be even cheaper. CAR also understands that some of the cost-cutting could achieved by running the EV4 on a less sophisticated 400V platform (compared to the EV6’s 800V platform). It’s also possible Kia will offer the EV4 in both more affordable and more expensive 400V and 800V versions. 

We’ll know more when the EV4 is unveiled towards the end of this year – or the early part of 2024. 

By Curtis Moldrich

CAR's Digital Editor, F1 and sim-racing enthusiast. Partial to clever tech and sports bikes

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