Confirmed! Everything we know about the Kia EV4 coming to Australia in 2026 to tackle the Tesla Model 3 and MG4
The all-new 2026 Kia EV4 has been revealed and locked in for an Australian launch next year with the Tesla Model 3 sedan and MG4 hatch in its sights.
Revealed at the 2025 Kia EV Day, the sedan measures up at 4730mm long, 1860mm wide and stands at 1480mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2820mm.
That makes it 10mm longer, 12mm wider and 38mm taller than the best-selling Tesla Model 3.
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Looking more like an SUV than a traditional three-box sedan, the EV4 picks up where the EV5 left off and comes with a higher-ride than you would expect for a Model 3 rival.
Following its reveal Kia’s Australian arm was quick to lock in the EV4.
“Kia Australia is pleased to confirm the EV4 will join the range of Kia battery electric vehicle models in Australia. Further information regarding timing, variants, features, and pricing will be announced in due course.”
The good news for Australia is Kia Australia has previously signalled its determination to be as ruthless as possible with EV4 pricing, in the same way it previously took the razor to the EV5.
Kia has yet to confirm if our market will take both the sedan and hatch, but it’s likely just the four-door sedan will come here.
That’s because the five-door hatchback that’s 300mm shorter than the sedan, is made in the car-maker’s European factory. That means the Slovakian-made five-door will cop a five per cent tariff the Korean-made sedan will avoid.
This issue has already ruled the small Kia EV2 – which would have been the brand’s cheapest electric car – out for Australia.
Timing has yet to be revealed, but Kia says the sedan will come online globally from the middle of March, with the hatch set to arrive in the second half of 2025.
From launch, both body styles will come with the option of either a ‘Base’ 58.3kWh or bigger Long Range 81.4kWh battery. Both will be combined with a 150kW single e-motor.
With the smaller of the two powerpacks the EV4 can cover 430km (or 410km for the hatch) on the WLTP test cycle. With the larger battery, the range increases to 630km (590km hatch) – the latter beat the most efficient Tesla Model 3 or MG 4.
Charging for the smaller 58.3kWh battery takes 29 minutes for a 10-80 per cent top-up, or 31 mins for the 81.4kWh power pack. However, charging speeds are limited by the 400-volt electrical architecture shared with the smaller EV3 that launches in Australia this month.
Acceleration is no more than brisk, with 0-100km/h dash taking 7.4 seconds, or 7.7sec for the heavier Long Range version. Top speed is limited to 170km/h.
Inside the cabin, designers claim that the EV4 is both comfortable and spacious with the largest-in-class luggage space of 490 litres (435L for the hatch). The EV4 also comes with a rotating armrest and a sliding centre console.
There’s also a large freestanding 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that mergers into a 12.3-inch infotainment system. Other tech includes a 12-inch head-up display and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.
From launch in-car streaming will be available, as well a range of games and, even, the option to sing karaoke while parked up.
Owners will also be able to share a digital key with friends and family, with up to 15 devices able to access the EV4, including an Apple Watch.
While the base model rides on range-friendly 17-inch rims, the EV4 GT-Line sits on bigger 19-inch alloy wheels and gets a sportier wing-shaped front and rear bumpers, a three-spoke steering wheel and two-tone black and white seats.
Driver assist features are comprehensive, including autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot assist, safety exit warning, attention assist, semi-autonomous cruise control, rear cross traffic alert, 360-degree camera and remote auto parking. Kia said it is targeting a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating for the EV4.
More details of the 2026 Kia EV4, including its crucial pricing, will be confirmed closer to its expected local launch next year.
