Kia pulled the covers off two important newcomers at Airfield Estate in Dublin: the EV4 hatchback and the sleeker EV4 Fastback. In a way these models bookend Kia’s push to make electric driving feel familiar, practical and good value, while still giving buyers a choice of shapes and ranges. Built on the brand’s dedicated E-GMP architecture, both models mix long-legged efficiency with easy everyday manners, and our short spin around Dublin’s suburbs suggested Kia has again hit a sweet spot for Irish roads. The EV4 hatchback is the headline act. It will be built in Slovakia and offered with two battery sizes. The standard 58.3 kWh pack aims to keep price and weight in check yet still supports brisk charging from 10 to 80 per cent in about 29 minutes. The long-range 81.4 kWh version stretches the official figure to as much as 625 kilometres on the WLTP cycle and matches that fast-charge window in roughly 31 minutes. Both feed a front-mounted 150 kW motor, good for a 0-100 km/h time in the sevens and a 170 km/h top speed. With an aerodynamic drag figure of just 0.27, the EV4 slips cleanly through the air, which helps it achieve those range numbers on Irish motorways as well as in town. Luggage space is a useful 435 litres, so family life, prams or golf bags are easily covered.
The EV4 Fastback arrives from Kia’s Gwangmyeong EVO Plant in Korea and leans into a grand-touring vibe. It uses the larger 81.4 kWh battery and the same 150 kW motor, but the longer, lower tail helps it eke out a WLTP range up to 633 kilometres. The boot grows to 490 litres, and the silhouette gives it a more upmarket stance without sacrificing practicality. Design-wise, both cars play with Kia’s “Opposites United” language in different ways. The hatchback looks taut and athletic, with a steep rear screen, long proportions and a bold EV Tiger Face framed by vertical lamps and a star-map light signature. The Fastback takes a cleaner, more elegant route, its long-tail profile and minimalist rear surfacing emphasising calm and efficiency. Inside, each cabin balances high tech with familiarity. You get a floating interface, neat two- and three-spoke steering wheel designs, clear screens and sensible physical controls with gentle haptic feedback. Ambient lighting and quality materials lift the mood without feeling fussy.
Ride and handling have been honed for Europe by Kia’s team in Rüsselsheim. The set-up uses MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link rear, supported by frequency-responsive dampers and hydro-G suspension bushings to keep noise and harshness in check. The result is a car that turns in cleanly, stays settled over rough surfaces and feels planted at speed. That calm, unflustered character came through on Dublin’s patchwork tarmac, where the EV4 felt composed and quiet. Durability has been a development theme. Kia’s fourth-generation battery packs use advanced thermal management and carefully managed coolant flow to keep performance consistent in heat, cold and during repeated fast charges. Testing included a 110,000-kilometre accelerated road programme and a 10,000-kilometre Nürburgring campaign at up to 95 per cent output, followed by hard charging sessions. Engineers report a 95 per cent state-of-health at the end, which bodes well for long-term ownership and residual values.
Driver assistance and safety tech are comprehensive and sensibly tuned. The EV4’s camera and radar suite supports collision avoidance, blind-spot intervention and lane keeping, while Highway Driving Assist and navigation-aware cruise control take the sting out of long hauls. Structural protection includes multi-load battery pathways, a roof tested to withstand more than five times the vehicle’s weight and reinforced rockers for improved side-impact performance. Ownership is helped by a polished digital experience. The Kia app offers remote access, charge management and trip tools, while over-the-air updates keep features fresh. Kia Charge integrates public networks, with access to more than 5,000 charging stations in Ireland and over a million points across Europe, so long journeys can be planned with confidence.
Irish punters can choose Earth 2, Earth 3 or GT-Line trims across both body styles, with broadly the same equipment strategy. Earth 2 brings 17-inch alloys, LED headlights, dual panoramic displays, cloth and leather upholstery and heated front seats. Earth 3 adds 19-inch wheels, powered and memory front seats, a smart tailgate, wireless phone charging and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. GT-Line layers on sportier exterior cues, full leather, a head-up display, a powered sunroof and vehicle-to-load functionality for running tools or camping kit. Pricing for EV4 hatchback starts at €39,940 with the 58.3 kWh battery or €43,275 for the 81.4 kWh unit. Earth 3 and GT-Line come only with the long-range pack at €46,175 and €51,250. The Fastback is long-range only, from €46,175 in Earth 2, €49,075 in Earth 3 and €53,000 in GT-Line. Kia is also offering 0 per cent PCP and HP finance, with plans from €262 per month. Our brief Dublin drive left a strong first impression. The EV4 blends easy tech, real space and a settled ride in a way that makes day-to-day driving simple, and the Fastback adds a touch of elegance for buyers who want the same capability with a sleeker look. On this evidence, Kia has another crowd-pleasing EV on its hands.
