Kia appears to be working on a new bodystyle for the EV4 expected to launch in the market next year. The camouflaged prototype looks like a mixture of a hatchback and a crossover, sending Kia EV6 vibes. The fully electric Kia EV4 follows the example of the similarly-sized ICE-powered K4, which also comes in sedan and hatchback forms. By offering different bodystyles for its upcoming EV, the company hopes to attract more buyers, covering a wider spectrum of the compact segment.
A few weeks earlier, spy photographers
spotted a prototype of the production-ready sedan, allowing for a side-by-side
comparison. The new prototype retains an identical greenhouse and has a similar
front end – although the latter remains hidden under heavy camouflage. What is
different is the tail, featuring a notably shorter overhang. This change alters
the proportions, making the EV4 look more like a baby brother of the larger
EV6.
The Kia EV4 hatch/crossover could compete with models
like the VW ID.3, and the more affordable MG4. The new electric Kia will also
be the zero-emission alternative to the K4 hatchback, which is set to replace
the outgoing Ceed.
The electric compact model is expected to
share its E-GMP underpinnings with the EV4 sedan and the slightly smaller EV3
crossover. The latter is equipped with a single electric motor producing 201 hp, and two battery options with a capacity of 58.3 kWh or 81.4
kWh. A more powerful dual-motor EV4 should be considered a given, as Kia has
confirmed it will offer GT-branded versions of its entire electric lineup. It
remains to be seen if Kia will introduce the EV4 sedan and EV4 hatchback at the
same time. In any case, we expect to learn more as we move closer to 2025.
