Kia is one of the fastest expanding brands in the world, and with a continuously growing lineup, they regularly EV new markets and segments The lineup was recently expanded by two new models of Kia EV4, which will be offered in the form of hatchbacks and sedans. Today we are reviewing the Kia EV4 Hatchback Long range with GT line trim. It offers 204hp and 283NM delivered to the front wheels only. The battery is a large 78KWH unit with a usable capacity of 81.4kWh. This is the best trim level and most expensive option ever available, with the full-on GT version expected to debut soon with AWD and more power.
The build quality is consistently high, where as all of the materials often touches are soft and pleasant. Kia makes most of its interiors look similar in many ways, and the EV4 is the next model to join the trend. All screens have a great job and great clarity, but the A/C display can be controlled from the driver's position thanks to the steering wheel. The steering wheel is also not exclusive to the EV4 and again harmonizes well with other parts of the interior, providing excellent functionality. Behind and under the steering wheel is one of the very few non-ergonomic parts of the interior. The gear lever is extruded downward and has a start/stop button at the base. Most new Kia/Hyundai models use this lever, and in all of them, it feels like an after thought.
In addition, it is possible that a tall driver accidentally shifts to neutral while driving, creating an unprecedented stupid way of causing an accident. The head-up display comes as an extra and provides even more information to the driver to ensure the eyes stay on the road at all times Below the infotainment display is a line of haptic feedback buttons that control the various menus that are often used. Four extra remarkable A/C controls, combined with an air conditioning screen at the top, allow you to control the temperature and fan speed without jumping into some extra menus. Of course, a deeper climate setting menu is available deep in the infotainment abyss.
The center console is the main point of differentiation from larger models like the Kia EV6. It starts with 2 USB-C charging ports and a 12V outlet, and a wireless charging pad just below it. Two large retractable cup holders and a large storage area finish the low-mounted center console. On the Armrest unit are some useful driving functions such as auto hold, camera system, parking sensor deactivation and hill descent assistance. They are placed in a convenient position to be pushed while maneuvering. Two extra pockets occupy even more storage space between the front passengers. The door sill hides the heated and cooled seat buttons as well as the heated steering wheel and standard window controls. It's a tedious area, but one that hides a lot of features.
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At the passenger door you can find a QR code that leads you to the Kia website, informing you on the interior and material sustainability of the interior. This is not a feature we expect from any vehicle, but we're keeping it out of the way enough to not notice it in most cases. The Kia EV4 seat is particularly comfortable, providing a relaxed, sofa-like feel that improves the overall ride. Available in higher trim levels, they are supplemented by a soft, pillow-like finish headrest that makes passengers feel at home while riding on the EV4. While the panoramic roof may not be available, but the option to open the available sunroof adds seating to something much more enjoyable than a large fixed glass panel.
Back in the 2nd row, passengers are enjoying plenty of space, but their legs remain lifted due to the large battery pack underneath. Our reviewer noted that it is 1.95 meters (6'4") in height and is not as comfortable as some rivals, but well behind his own driving position. When it comes to luxury, rear passengers get heated seats, USB-C ports, cup holders and climate vents, but no separate climate control is available. It's about what we came to expect from the high trim levels of that segment. Operating the Kia EV4 is as easy as it gets. It's like shaking hands with an old friend, leaving no desire for improvement. As far as regular daily driving cars go, Kia has mastered the art of ease of use.
The steering is accurate, but it is well assisted not to tire the driver on a long journey. You always know what is going on under the tire and have time to respond in all conditions. The EV4 is highly manoeuvrable and can rotate in tight spaces allowing easy parking. However, the EV4 is larger in size compared to most hatches, so looking for a big spot and accepting that it doesn't fit anywhere, just as the larger size benefits the overall owning experience, it slightly hinders the ease of use of the city and can be taken into account if you live in a crowded urban area.
If more power is available, the EV4 could be better at sporty driving around winding canyons. What you should consider if you are a tall potential customer is that your head regularly hits the roof because the roof is too low and the seat is mounted so high. This is a big oversight and could be solved by lowering the aftermarket seat rails, but the problem still remains. Several manufacturers are now sorting out their problems, but Kia does not seem to want to ease its customers. On the other hand, a great safety feature that the company has been doing for several years is a small camera projection of blind spots that pop into the gauge cluster display when the turn signal is turned on.
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This eliminates the need for shoulder peaks and reduces the risk of collisions from blind spots on a large scale when merging. Sharp handling does not come at the expense of comfort. The EV4 hatchback easily absorbs speed bumps and potholes, well controls body movement and minimizes interference for passengers. On coarser surfaces, the cabin remains structured and provides a smooth and stable ride. This is an area that multiple rivals have mastered over the years, and the Kia EV4 does not fall behind a single bit. The on-board technology works perfectly well with the EV4. While it offers no surprises or tremendous advances, it can accurately predict what it is supposed to be, without lagging behind or filling in important information deep in the menu.
The EV4 can also connect to your calendar and thus let you know your schedule. Apple CarPlay works well and connects quickly every time. It can also be used as a wired connection through the center console plug, which can also charge your phone to ensure a better connection. Built-in navigation does not have the most modern look, but offers the best ease of use. It calculates the route with charging in mind, checks traffic jams and construction sites and adapts the route accordingly. The information from the navigation can be displayed on the head-up display unit, which is a big advantage and reduces the frequency of drivers taking their eyes off the road.
A notable setting is the ability to assign functions to buttons. There are 2 buttons with a star - 1 on the steering wheel, the other 1 under the infotainment, which allows you to call various menus and functions that you often use. This is standard on many vehicles, but in the EV4 you can do the same with other buttons, such as the volume knob, the mode button, and the next track button. We applaud this level of customization, although it may be more gimmick than useful in real life. The EV4's camera system is crisp and clear. It also offers an easy switch on the angle and a clear overhead image at night.
Kia made the EV4 hatchback efficient at all speeds. Its FWD layout allows for less loss and a lower stance compared to the Suv description for better airflow and less drag. In that segment, the EV4 offers one of the largest batteries available. This, of course, leads to long distances with one charge. In its class, it is lost only to the Renault Scenic E-Tech, which utilizes an even larger battery. We now recommend using the widget below to find the range of the Kia EV4 Long Range Hatchback with all the combinations of speed and temperature you might need. We used real-world testing and complex models to provide estimates as close to real-world performance as possible.
Kia does not equip the EV4 with an 800v architecture and does not charge at supersonic speeds. However, the 10-80% reload took exactly 31 minutes, as advertised, which is by no means the fastest, but not bad. Perhaps more importantly, the EV4 offers v2L, V2H, and V2G charging.This means that EV4 can be used as a generator to power electrical equipment, campsites and even the entire home ecosystem. If you're on the market for a hatchback (or sedan version), we highly check out the Kia EV4 and it's your personal lifestyle It cleverly mixes numerous virtues to create a brilliant and overall product with the lowest downsides.
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