New Kia EV4 – confident, modern and unmistakably different

Joe Rayfus

There’s always a moment in motoring when design takes a gamble, a brand decides to nudge customers out of the safe, predictable shapes we’ve come to accept. The launch of the new Kia EV4 Fastback is such a moment. Park it outside your house and the neighbours will talk, though not all of them will agree.

From some angles, the EV4 Fastback looks like something drawn by a contemporary architect rather than a seasoned car designer, a slick silhouette tapering into a high, crisp tail. The sharp front end, with its vertical headlights and clean surfacing, gives it real presence. The profile sweeps elegantly towards a high sculpted tail that suggests both speed and sophistication. Then you reach the back and hesitate. The long tail and steeply raked rear glass give it distinction but not always balance. It feels like Kia wanted to stretch the boundaries of what a compact fastback can be, and in doing so, created something that makes you look twice. The one I tested came in black, and that colour choice makes a big difference. The dark paint hides some of the sharper design details, softening the drama but also muting the contrast that gives the shape its personality. I suspect lighter colours will completely change how this car looks, bringing out the contours and surfacing that are hard to see in black. It is a design that will rely heavily on colour to show (or hide) its true character.

Over the week I spent with it, my opinion shifted back and forth. One moment I admired the futuristic stance reflected in a shop window. Later that evening, standing behind it in a car park, I found myself less convinced. It is a car that never settles into a single identity. Some days it feels beautifully proportioned, other days slightly awkward. And that is what makes it interesting. Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy might sound abstract, but in this case it fits perfectly. The EV4 Fastback is daring, distinctive and hard to ignore.

Inside, everything changes. The cabin is one of Kia’s finest efforts to date. It feels clean, calm and genuinely premium. The twin floating displays stretch across the dash, framed by soft touch materials and subtle metallic accents. The overall layout is simple and intuitive, combining digital screens with enough physical controls to keep daily use easy and familiar.

In GT Line specification the Fastback feels like a luxury car. Leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, a head up display and Kia’s clever Vehicle to Load feature all come as standard. The lighting and overall finish create a refined atmosphere that makes even longer journeys relaxing.

There is one issue though, and that is headroom. The sleek roofline that looks so good from the outside takes away a few precious centimetres inside. Anyone tall will notice it, particularly under the glass section of the roof. It is not uncomfortable, but it is close.

The EV4 Fastback is smooth, quiet and surprisingly engaging to drive. Power comes from a front mounted 150-kilowatt motor that provides strong and instant acceleration. It reaches 100 kilometres per hour in just 7.7 seconds, but what stands out is how effortlessly it does so.

Kia’s European engineers say they tuned the suspension specifically for our roads, and it shows. The car feels composed and sure footed, and has steering that is light yet precise. It rides with real confidence on Irish roads, taking rough surfaces in its stride while staying stable at motorway speeds. Around town it is easy to manoeuvre, with excellent visibility and responsive controls.

The long range 81.4-kilowatt hour battery offers up to 625 kilometres of range on the official WLTP cycle. In the real world, that translates to around 500 kilometres depending on driving style and weather. A fast charge from 10 to 80 percent takes about half an hour, and Kia’s connected app makes finding chargers simple.

During my week of mixed driving the car averaged around 16 kilowatt hours per 100 kilometres, which is impressive efficiency for a vehicle of this size and performance.

The boot holds 490 litres, which is a good figure, though the opening itself is as unusually shaped as the car itself. It narrows at the top which makes it slightly awkward for bulkier items. Rear legroom is decent, but again, taller passengers will find the sloping roof reduces headspace a little.

After a week with the Kia EV4 Fastback GT Line, I am still not sure whether I love how it looks. That uncertainty is part of its appeal. What is certain is that the EV4 Fastback drives beautifully, feels well-built and offers excellent range. The quality of the cabin and the comfort on the road make it a serious contender in the premium electric market.

The Kia EV4 Fastback may not win everyone over, but it proves that Kia is not afraid to take risks. It is confident, modern and unmistakably different, and that alone makes it one of the most intriguing new cars on the road today. The EV4 Fastback is only available with the 81.4-kW long range battery with prices starting from €46,175 for Earth 2, €49,075 for Earth 3 and €53,000 for GT-Line I tested.