As part of its big Kia EV Day, the Korean giant has been showing off a whole string of new and concept cars, including the small EV3 and the mid-size EV5. Those are mere crossovers, but here comes a Kia to really get enthusiasts' juices going - a low-slung electric sports saloon.
Lower and sleeker
This is the Kia EV4 concept, and it's been designed to take on the likes of the Tesla Model 3, the BMW Neue Klasse, and the Polestar 2 when it arrives on sale in 2026 (hopefully).
Clearly taking stylistic inspiration from the current EV6, it looks much lower and sleeker than the rather boxy EV3 and EV5, not to mention the massive EV9. Kia says that it's not a mere 'saloon' though, but instead: "its four-door format might suggest it should be categorised as a saloon. However, the model's potent and impactful lines represent not just another saloon, but an entirely new type of EV saloon that stands as a symbol of innovation."
New type of EV saloon
Basically, you can think of it as Kia's answer to sister company Hyundai's ultra-sleek Ioniq 6, which sounds like an enticing prospect. While it looks a bit wild and wacky at the moment - from the very short nose section to the long, low cabin and the fastback styling at the rear - it's claimed that this concept is very close to the final production model in how it looks. "Aspects such as the evocative sleek low nose, the elongated, dynamic long-tail silhouette, and the technical roof spoiler, all attributes reminiscent of sports and racing cars, affirm the EV4's status as an entirely new type of EV saloon," said a Kia spokesperson.
Inside, the EV4 draws on many of the same cues as the EV3 concept - a small, hexagonal wheel with an offset Kia logo, conjoined big screens atop the dash, and a large, table-like armrest between the seats. Neat tricks for the EV4 include an air conditioning control panel that can be folded away when you don't need it and a mesh-like material that runs around the circumference of the cabin which is backlit.
Sustainable materials
The materials used are also sustainable, including cotton dyed using roots and walnut shells, and hemp fibres for the armrest/table in the centre.
There are no details on the battery size, range, or performance yet, but given how popular Kia has become in Ireland of late, would you bet against this wild-looking EV saloon being a big hit?