KIA Australia is standing by its decision to introduce the all-electric EV4 Down Under, seemingly ignoring tapering passenger car sales and its own sales forecasts with a vehicle the South Korean importer expects to sell just 70 units per month.
Despite the niche position, Kia says it is important to offer all Australian buyers as much of its portfolio as is possible, suggesting not every new car buyer is interested in an SUV, particularly when it comes to EV buyers.
“Not everyone wants an SUV,” said Kia Australia product planning boss Roland Rivero bluntly.
“The EV4 is about being able to offer choices to the customer. The fact it’s a sedan is one of the reasons the Tesla Model 3 sells in the numbers it does.”
Indeed, the Tesla Model 3 sells more than five times the number of units Kia Australia predicts the EV4 sedan will manage, yet will offer both it, and the EV4 hatch, before the year is out.
Mr Rivero said the EV4 sedan – which is priced from a snip under $50,000 – has the potential to sell in greater volume, but is hamstrung by its popularity in other markets, factory production volume, sourcing and allocation issues, potential costs, and a simply concern about dipping into a pond less frequented by Kia’s SUV-focused team.
Mr Rivero said EV4 is Kia’s first electric sedan – its EV6 being classed as an SUV despite its hatch appearance – and joins the Australian line-up primarily because the brand is pushing hard to grow its EV sector.
He said its introduction also brings down Kia Australia’s fleet CO2 average, allowing it to meet the new vehicle efficiency standards (NVES) regulations without incurring financial penalties.
“NVES makes the EV4 important to us,” he said.
“We want to expand the EV products to consumers and believe the sedan has a lot of appeal for buyers who may not be attracted to, or need, an SUV.
“We also know Australia is also a hatch market and we’re looking very hard at making the hatchback EV4 (made in Slovakia) work.
“But there are pressures – including competing with global economies that also want models such as the EV4.”
The EV4 is almost identical to the length of the main rivals – Tesla Model 3 and BYD Seal – but has a shorter wheelbase that, conversely, offers more cabin room than the rivals. Its boot size sits betwixt the two.
It claims a range of up to 612km (the longest range of any Kia EV) and 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.4 seconds, all data that equates to not only its EV rivals but some ICE models.
Inside it’s all EV simplicity and clean-edge design. A flat floor with plenty of leg- and foot room front and rear, deep glass for excellent visibility (notably in the rear to appease children), and despite the short boot lid, a generous boot area enhanced by fold-down rear seats.
Tech rates highly, standard with two 12.3-inch screens (one for the driver, the other for infotainment) and a 5.0-inch climate monitor, with the car open to over-the-air (OTA) updates and Kia’s connected car navigation cockpit, which is complementary.
There is also vehicle-to-load (V2L) with plug points in the cabin and on the outside, in the charging port.
The audio (harman/kardon in the GT-Line) and infotainment system have Google connectivity (with inbuilt engine search, which will be rolled out to other Kia models) along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto access.
Although there are touchscreen controls, Kia has steadfastly retained physical buttons – including those for HVAC (heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) functions – saying they are easier to use and therefore safer.
Safety kit is expansive, with the GT-Line topping up the inventory with extra features including surround view, blind-spot monitoring, and rear collision avoidance.
The EV4 range offers eight colours, but only Clear White is a no-cost option. The rest – Ivory Silver, Aurora Black, Shale Grey, Snow White, Honeydew, Yacht Blue, and Magma Red add $600 to the price. All interior upholsteries are Onyx Black in colour.
Kia said there is no capped-price service as such for the EV4, presenting three pre-paid options: $688 for three years, $1308 for five years, and $1929 for seven years. All are transferable.
The EV4 has a seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty with an eight-year/160,000km battery warranty.
Visit GoAuto again soon for our Australian launch review of the 2026 Kia EV4.