Kia’s new electric sedan has officially landed in Australia, with the 2026 Kia EV4 set to hit local showrooms followed by customer deliveries later this month as a direct rival to the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal, and Polestar 2.
It becomes Kia’s fifth dedicated battery-electric vehicle on sale in Australia, joining the EV3, EV5, EV6, and EV9 as the brand continues its aggressive local EV rollout.
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Kia EV4 pricing and range
| Variants | Range | Price (before on-road costs) |
| Kia EV4 Air | Standard Range FWD | $49,990 |
| Kia EV4 Earth | Long Range FWD | $59,190 |
| Kia EV4 GT-Line | Long Range FWD | $64,690 |
At the entry point, the EV4 Air is $4,910 cheaper than a Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive, while sitting $3,000 above the BYD Seal Dynamic. Kia is banking on higher standard equipment levels and competitive range figures to justify the premium over the Chinese rival.
Kia EV4 powertrain specs
Here’s a breakdown of the key powertrain specifications for the Kia EV4 sedan:
| Specification | Kia EV4 Standard Range | Kia EV4 Long Range |
| Battery Capacity | 58.3kWh | 81.4kWh |
| Power Output | 150kW | 150kW |
| Torque Output | 283Nm | 283Nm |
| Drivetrain | FWD | FWD |
| Acceleration (0-100km/h) | 7.4 seconds | 7.8 seconds |
| Range (WLTP) | 456km | 612km |
While the long-range EV4 comfortably outpaces the BYD Seal Premium (570km WLTP), it falls short of the Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive, which now claims up to 750km WLTP.
DC fast-charging times are similar across the range, with Kia quoting 10–80 per cent in 29 minutes for the Air and 31 minutes for the long-range variants.
The Kia EV4 is built on the front-wheel-drive, 400-volt version of Hyundai-Kia’s E-GMP platform, sharing key hardware with the Kia EV3 small SUV. This contrasts with the rear-wheel-drive layouts used by the Tesla Model 3, BYD Seal and Hyundai Ioniq 6.
2026 Kia EV4 feature highlights
The 2026 Kia EV4 will offer a broad mix of comfort, convenience, and safety features across the range.
Kia EV4 Air
Even the entry-level Kia EV4 Air is generously equipped, with standard features including:
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen
- Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- 5.0-inch climate control display
- Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
- Kia Connect and over-the-air updates
- Vehicle-to-load (V2L) interior socket
- One-pedal driving and paddle-controlled regenerative braking
- Comprehensive active safety suite, including AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert
Kia EV4 Earth (Adds over Air)
Stepping up to the Kia EV4 Earth brings meaningful upgrades like the following
- 81.4kWh battery with 612km WLTP range
- 19-inch alloy wheels
- External V2L capability
- Larger front brakes
- Heated front seats
- 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat
- Cloth and leather-look upholstery
- Increased 1000kg braked towing capacity (up from 500kg)
Kia EV4 GT-Line (Adds over Earth)
The Kia EV4 GT-Line is the most fully featured EV4 and is required to match equipment commonly standard in the Model 3 and Seal. It adds:
- GT-Line exterior styling and unique 19-inch wheels
- Head-up display
- Wireless smartphone charger
- Eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio
- Surround-view camera and blind-spot cameras
- Power-adjustable passenger seat
- Ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel
- Driver’s seat memory and relaxation seats
- Hands-free electric boot
- Glass sunroof
- Adaptive high-beam headlights and rear AEB
Practicality and safety
The EV4 sedan offers a 490-litre boot, which is larger than the BYD Seal’s rear cargo area but trails the Tesla Model 3’s combined front-and-rear storage claim.
ANCAP testing for this new Kia EV has not yet been completed, though closely related European versions achieved a five-star Euro NCAP rating in 2025.
Why does Australia get the sedan only?
Kia Australia has confirmed the EV4 hatchback will not be sold locally, as it is built in Slovakia, while the sedan is produced in Korea. The Korean-built sedan benefits from reduced shipping distances and Australia’s Free Trade Agreement with South Korea, helping keep pricing competitive. This allows the carmaker to price the sedan more competitively than it could the hatchback.
Earlier this month, Kia revealed the high-performance EV4 GT hatchback in Europe with a dual-motor and all-wheel drivetrain, which the local arm says remains “under study for Australia”.
Read more: Kia Australia Electric Line Up Explained
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