Kia Reveals More U.S. Specs for 2026 EV4 Electric Sedan
Kia has already confirmed that its newest, smallest and most affordable electric vehicle, the EV4 compact sedan, will be coming to the U.S. But now that it has debuted the production model on our shores, we have a few more details on the upcoming EV.
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Same but Different Now
Built on the same platform that underpins numerous EVs from Kia and related brand Hyundai, the EV4 differs from those existing products in its lower-output electrical system. Whereas the other vehicles on the platform all use an 800-volt electronic architecture, the EV4’s is a 400-volt system.
Kia will offer the EV4 with two battery packs: The entry-level Light trim level will have a 58.3-kilowatt-hour pack, and the rest of the lineup will use an 81.4-kWh pack. Kia expects a range of 235 miles for the Light and 330 miles for the Wind trim. The EV4 GT-Line, which will ride on larger wheels than the others (19 inches instead of 17), will land somewhere below the Wind.
The EV4 also differs from its EV siblings in that it is front-wheel drive; the single-motor configurations of Hyundai’s and Kia’s existing EVs all drive their rear wheels. In the EV4, that single motor produces around 201 horsepower, 52 hp more than the base rear-wheel-drive 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 6.
What Are the EV4’s Features?
From a consumer’s perspective, the main drawback of a 400-volt architecture versus an 800-volt one is in charge time. But Kia expects the EV4’s Light trim to be able to replenish its pack from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes on a DC fast charger, with the larger-pack cars needing just two more minutes. Now that Kia EVs can use Tesla’s charging stations, the EV4 will be built with the compatible North American Charging Standard port.
To minimize charging frequency, the EV4 will feature standard one-pedal driving with variable regenerative braking, which allows drivers to choose how aggressively they want their car to scavenge energy under deceleration. Bidirectional charging will also be available, with the EV4 capable of powering laptops and other small electrical devices.
Despite its entry-level positioning, the EV4 will be generously equipped. Kia promises almost 30 inches of screen space divided among a pair of 12.3-inch displays for the digital instrument cluster and touchscreen and a 5-inch climate-control panel. Luxury features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto will be available. Safety tech will include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-centering steering and automated parking.
Release Date and Pricing
The 2026 Kia EV4 will arrive at dealerships in early 2026, and pricing is expected to start in the mid- to high-$30,000s. Kia will detail what equipment is standard and what’s optional closer to the EV4’s on-sale date.
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