This aggressive Korean OEM continues to achieve record sales with affordable and flashy product. Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – April 16, 2025 2026 Kia EV4 If there were no tariffs involved, could this be the first $25k EV to reach US shores? New York, NY -- The race to offering a $25,000 EV in the US is a moonshot and Kia’s just introduced compact EV may be the first to reach that goal despite some claiming it as a waste of time. The all-new Kia EV aims to broaden EV adoption with an affordable entry level price without sacrificing amenities or EV range we have grown accustomed too. And demand. Meet Kia’s first global EV platform, the EV4. To keep costs in check, the EV4 is built upon a 400V Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) compact while increasing EV market penetration. While pricing was not revealed at this year’s NY Auto Show, given the size, equipment, and notoriety of offering a $25k initial price, I imagine it was top of mind. Like its larger EV6 sibling, the EV4 is expected to arrive in three trims, the Light, Wind and GT-Line and two pack sizes. 2026 Kia EV4 Exterior Design The all-new compact EV shares a similar design language with the EV6 and EV9. The face incorporates vertical headlamps and Kia’s signature Star Map lighting. Available small cube LED headlamps with Dynamic Welcome Lights will be the first in the segment. Out back, the vertical taillamps, two-piece roof spoiler and sleek bumper design are certainly unique although the roofline transition across the top of the C-pillar may be polarizing for some. The Light and Wind will be equipped with 17” aero alloys while the GT will incorporate larger 19” alloys. To enhance efficiency, a full underbody cover smooths the movement of air beneath the vehicle. The result is a Cd of just 0.23. 2026 Kia EV4 Interior Design A two-spoke wheel stands out within the simplistic cabin although it is surrounded by futuristic materials. An optional 64-color dynamic LED lighting system can spruce it up a bit. The EV4’s wide-screen driver and central display is comprised of two 12.3” screens that can be customized with themes as you see fit. The EV4 will include wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. Other key features include standard dual-zone auto climate with rear A/C vents, an acoustic windshield, and available heated/ventilated front seats with driver side memory and a heated wheel, and an available Digital Key. 2026 Kia EV4 Drivetrain The Kia EV4 will be available with two battery options, a standard 58.3 kWh battery (Light) or long-range 81.4 kWh battery (Wind, GT trims). Both provide power to a front-mounted 150 kW motor. The FWD EV4 Light and Wind trims should have ranges of 235 and 330 miles respectively. Although the EV4 will not be available with the world class 800V architecture of the EV6 and EV9, the 400V system will allow a 10 to 80% DCFC in 29 and 31 minutes for the 58.3 kWh (Light) and 81.4 kWh (Wind, GT-Line) battery respectively. A standard NACS charging port is located above the passenger front fender. Kia’s one-pedal driving is standard. The i-Pedal 3.0 system has a memory function that reverts to the last-used i-Pedal setting when the car reboots. The EV4 offers V2L functionality. Allowing 120V power to external devices. 2026 Kia EV4 ADAS The EV4 will arrive with standard Highway Driving Assist (HDA) which is designed to use speed limit information from the navigation system on controlled access road allowing automatic adjustments of vehicle speed to match the posted speed limit (when set to the speed limit) and maintains distance from the vehicle detected in front with Radar CC. The EV4 can be equipped with Driver Attention Warning, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Following Assist, Intelligent Speed Limit Assist, and Remote Smart Parking Assist. The EV4 will be sourced from Kia’s Autoland Gwangmyeong EV Plant in South Korea which unfortunately or not, may be subject to some rather high tariffs by the time it goes on sales in the US during Q1 of 2026. If so, the hope for a $25k starting price will certainly be dashed. Kia Q1 2025 US Sales Overview Kia reported Q1 2025 US sales of 198,850 vehicles, up 10.7% over the 179,621 sold in Q1 of 2024. Kia extending its record-breaking sales streak to six months and achieved the best US Q1 performance in company history. Retail transactions at Kia dealerships grew 25-percent year-over-year showing a continuous growth trend. In Q1, Kia achieved total sales of 198,850 units, marking a 10.7-percent increase over Q1 2024 and setting a record for the highest first-quarter performance in its history. Kia Q1 2025 US Sales Highlights Sportage: 41,301 sold, up 10.8% over the 37,286 sold in Q1 of 2024 Forte: 37,004 sold, up 10.1% over the 33,623 sold in Q1 of 2024 Telluride: 29,843 sold, up 16.7% over the 25,578 sold in Q1 of 2024 Sorento: 25,117 sold, up 12.9% over the 22,244 sold in Q1 of 2024 US Q1 2025 Automotive Sales Overview A recap of the overall sales results can be found here: US Q1 2025 Automobile Sales: 3.91 million Vehicles Sold, up 5.7%
I like the "affordable" product. The flashy ? Please,no. I'm 72 years old. Let's stick with affordable, reliable, and efficient.
I didn't realize there were problems with radar cc. Web search revealed.. even on Toyotas, which surprised me. I never had issues.
The Hyundai forum tells a few stories. My personal philosophy says " Don't rely too much on technology".
Yeah, I prefer driving myself also, not on CC. And yet, I'm testing out a month of Tesla (supervised) FSD and had the most relaxed but attentive drive from central MA to Ocean City MD. I'm usually stressed out getting around NYC, but none of that this time. FSD took proper care of the many interchanges. Leaving home at 2:30 in the morning helped.
Hi Edwin: I use Radar CC along with lane keep assist (TSS 2.5) all the time in the 21 Prius Prime and it takes a load off for me too. I do not remember it not getting it right although when a lane changer cuts in, it will not detect until they are within the 30 degree cone of the radar so I have to be on the brakes before they actually pull into my lane while far to close. Wayne
