Kia unveils 2025 EV4 and EV2
It turns out that the U.S. market will be getting the new EV4 after all, according to a confirmation at Kia's news conference this past Monday.
America will get the four-door sedan in 2026, complete with its low nose, long tail, roof-mounted spoiler and a 17.3 cubic-foot trunk. Other markets will get an SUV-like five-door hatchback, with a squared-off rear backlight and less-radical styling.
While American-market specs have yet to be finalized, Kia did reveal the EV4's stats for overseas markets.
Standard models come equipped with a 58.3-kWh hour battery and 430 km (267 miles) of range. Long Range models get an 81.4-kWh battery and 630 km (391 miles) of range based on European WLTP testing. EPA figures will be about 20% lower.
With 150 kW (201 horsepower) of power, Kia claims the EV4 Standard has a 0-60 mph time of 7.4 seconds and 7.7 seconds on the Long Range.Inside, you'll find the same interior as in the smaller EV3, which is expected to go on sale in America sometime after the EV4 in 2026. It features the same 30-inch display that incorporates a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Also present is the EV3's small tabletop that pops forward from the center console.
Kia plans to build 140,000 EV4s annually, with 50,000 slated for the U.S. The EV4 is expected to start at €37,000 ($38,841) including VAT, but prices for the American market have yet to be announced. The sedan will go on sale in Korea in March while the Europe-exclusive hatchback will follow in the second half of the year.
The Concept EV2 previews Kia's forthcoming B-segment all-electric SUV, also not slated to hit the U.S. market. Like any concept, it has some enticing styling details unlikely to reach production, like the rear-hinged back doors.Other ideas could be realized, such as a rear bench seat bottom that folds up, allowing the front-row seats to slide back for more space. The cargo area features pop-up sliding luggage dividers and straps to secure cargo. Other clever touches include the EV2's removable door-mounted speakers, which serve as portable speakers when tailgating or when parked at a charging station.
The interior is even more minimalistic than any Tesla model, something that we expect serves only as a proof of concept rather than an actual preview of the EV2's real design.
Kia also designed a lighting system that can display messages on the windows to communicate with other drivers. Given the lack of civility and common courtesy that abounds in society today, we're not so sure this is a good idea.Knowing that B-segment shoppers are price-sensitive, it's unlikely the Concept EV2's costlier ideas will see the light of day. Still, it reaffirms Kia's commitment to filling out its EV lineup from the smallest to the largest.
While it may not affect Kia's prospects stateside, the production EV2 is vital to the automaker's success in Europe.
'EV2 is an especially important volume model in Europe,' said Kia President and CEO, Ho Sung Song in an interview. 'I think that as long as the volume of electrification is increasing in Europe, we also make sure that we can increase our volume of EVs.'
Kia also introduced a line of PV electric vans to be sold in Asia, Europe, and possibly North America, which we will look at closer in a separate article. Stay tuned!
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