The first question I am usually asked about any electric car I am testing is what is the range? Well dear reader, the new Kia EV4’s quoted range is up to 388 miles. Enough for anyone I would suggest and being a Kia, the quoted range is usually fairly accurate.

The new EV4 is yet another addition to Kia’s growing range of EVs and is the company’s first European built model, developed for our tastes. It sits below the EV6 and is offered in either a traditional hatchback style or a rather striking fastback guise. At the media launch I was able to drive both models.

There are three trims available: Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. The entry level ‘Air’ is the only model one can spec with the standard range 58.3 kWh battery, but all three are available with the longer range 81.4 kWh battery. Should you choose the Fastback, then this will be paired with the bigger battery and in GT-Line or GT-Line S trims. I’m reliably in formed that GT-Line trim is expected to be the best seller.

The more traditional hatch

'Fastback' model

Whichever version you choose, power is fed to the front wheels from a 210bhp motor. Acceleration from rest to 62mph will take from 7.5 to 7.9 seconds, model dependant and top speed is an academic 105mph. On the road, both models felt suitably brisk over our mixed test route, which included some fast A-road and motorway stretches.

Should an ‘Air’ with the standard battery suit (from £34,695), then up to 273 miles of travel should be possible, rising to a heady 388 miles for the long-range version. GT-Line and GT-Line S weigh a little more so you lose about 25 miles of quoted range. Fastback models are rated at up to 380 miles.

If there is a downside to ever larger batteries, it’s the increased charging time. Kia quotes around 32 hours to charge the long-range battery from 10 to 100% on a home AC charger. An overnight charge may not therefore completely replenish the battery. On a superfast 350kW DC unit, a 10 to 80% charge will take around 31 minutes. Most EV4 drivers are unlikely to need more than a very quick top up if they can charge cheaply at home. Dedicated tariffs from some home energy providers is definitely the way forward.

Kia is known for equipping their cars generously and the EV4 is no exception. I would be quite content with an Air model as this comes such niceties as heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone climate-controlled air conditioning, adaptive cruise control and a reversing camera. Also on the list are smart 17-inch alloy wheels, wireless Apple Car Play and Android Auto and let’s not forget the two 12.3” digital displays, one for the driver display and one for the central touchscreen.

GT-Line is more sportily styled and adds larger 19-inch alloy wheels, artificial leather upholstery, a digital key, rear privacy glass and electrically adjustable front seats amongst many other things. Top GT-Line S ups the ante further with a premium Harman Kardon sound system, powered tailgate, an excellent head-up display and wide front sunroof.

I drove both Air and GT-Line S versions and most missed in the Air was the head-up display, especially as the navigation directions are projected onto the screen, so less eyes off the road time.

Having spent plenty of time with the Kia EV3, climbing aboard the EV4 was all very familiar. Press the start button, attached to the gear selector on the steering column (and slightly hidden from sight) and you’re off. The driving position is good though being on the tall side I found the GT-Line S sunroof intruded somewhat, so was happier in the Air model and didn’t really miss the electric seats either.

The touchscreen is simple enough to use and there are some physical buttons for heater controls which I always like to see. Many functions can also be accessed from the steering wheel controls and behind the wheel are paddles for controlling the amount of brake regeneration. It’s easy to adjust from no regen, ideal for motorway cruising, right up to full one pedal driving, a great boon in town.

Interior quality is generally good, though some of the lower plastic trims are a little of the hard and scratchy side. There’s loads of storage space, so much so that you may well forget where some of your chattels are placed. Boot wise, the hatch boasts 435-litres of usable space, whilst this increases by 55 litres in the Fastback.

Front seats in all models are super comfortable and there’s space in the rear for three adults to sit, the flat floor a boon in this situation. The Fastback is tighter on headroom by about 20 cm, so taller passengers may find themselves a tad closer to the roof than is ideal.

I drove the same route in both the hatch and Fastback models and there is little to choose in terms of the driving experience. My driving companion and I felt the Fastback in GT-Line S guise rode slightly better than the Air hatch, but both seemed to smother the worst areas of broken tarmac quite well.

There are five driving modes to choose from. Eco, Normal and Sport, with configurable My Drive and a Snow setting completing the set. Normal seemed best as Sport just seemed to change the feel of the accelerator and steering. This is not a sports car, so don’t expect thrills behind the wheel. It’s all about comfort, a reliable long range and ease of ownership.

So, what’s the verdict? Another winner from Kia for sure. The range will be hugely attractive for the business user with big mileages to cover. A long day on the road without the enforced long charging stops for the win. The Fastback model won’t be for all, and its looks do seem to polarize opinion. The hatch will be the larger seller and in GT-Line guise all will be happy.

Pricing is competitive and of course Kia offers its 7-year/100,000 miles warranty with an extra year’s cover on the battery too. The Korean manufacturer is undoubtedly on a roll with a range of EVs to suit. This will be bolstered by the arrival of the EV5 next month, as well as the company’s first electric van, the PV5. I will be driving both with reviews to follow just in time for the Christmas holidays.

Fast Facts As Driven

Kia EV4 ‘Air’ Hatch
Long range 81.4kWh battery
Price - £37,695
Combined range – 388 miles
City range – 496 miles
Energy Consumption – 4.3mi/kWh

Kia EV4 Fastback ‘GT-Line S’
Long range 81.4kWh battery
Price £45,395
Combined range 380 miles
City range 487 miles
Energy Consumption – 4.2mi/kWh
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