KIA EV4 GT-LINE GOES THE DISTANCE

Don’t mention the war: It’s hard to ignore these words from that other comedian Basil
Fawlty with the electric vehicle light burning brightly over a Middle East farrago of
Trumpian intensity.

Fossil fuel is flagging in the power play for car sales with the Strait of Hormuz on drip
feed to oil tankers and cargo carriers, leaving EVs with an inside run against the internal
combustion engine mob. How prescient then that Kia has added a sedan to an already
diverse line-up of non-ICE vehicles.

The EV4 Sedan joins the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6 and EV9, bringing with it the company’s
longest range electric vehicle as its top-spec pair. With a choice of three trim levels –
Air, Earth, and GT-Line – these offer a choice of standard and long-range electric
power, the latter pair offering up to 612 kilometres.

Air is equipped with a Standard Range battery system (456km), while Earth and GT-
Line jump up to Long-Range specification. The Kia EV4 kicks off at an impressive
$49,990 for the Air Standard Range, with the Earth Long Range at $59,190, and GT-
Line Long-Range topping out at $64,690.

On test was the EV4 GT-Line, which continues with Kia’s signature Opposites United
language as well as adding a wind beating drag coefficient of 0.23Cd, the lowest of any
Kia model, thanks to active air flaps in the front bumper automatically balancing cooling
and aerodynamic performance according to driving conditions.

EV4 warranty is seven years unlimited kilometres and seven-years 150,000 kilometres,
for the battery.

STYLING
Aerodynamics shape the car’s profile with flowing geometric shapes taking in flush front
and hidden rear door handles, which fold automatically. A clear vertical theme has been
applied to the EV4’s front and rear lighting, positioned at the outer edges to accentuate
the car’s wide stance.

The GT-Line features Kia Star Map lighting with projection LED headlamps each made
up of 12 small cubes, six outer cubes delivering low-beam lighting and six inners for
high beam.

Also incorporated is an Intelligent Front Lighting system that can split the high beam into
10 sections that can be turned off individually to mask vehicles ahead, while maintaining
driver visibility throughout the remaining lights. All EV4 models carry full LED
combination lights at the rear.

A chiseled surface incorporates Kia’s traditional Tiger Nose stamp presenting a strong
and sleek presence. This theme is continued along the sides of the vehicle with
contrasting gloss black details and 19-inch black and machine-finished alloy wheels.

INTERIOR
The interior features black and white artificial leather ventilated front seats with driver-
side memory. Minimalistic details make use of soft-touch material, wide-screen displays
and big buttons for frequently used functions.

A column-type shift-by-wire gear selector, along with a flat floor, gives rise to a versatile
floating centre console incorporating multiple storage spaces and retractable cup
holders.

Despite its sleek exterior the EV4 cabin optimizes interior space, especially leg and
headroom, for all five seating positions. Cargo can be carried conveniently in 490 litres
of boot space, which expands to carry bulky kit with the 60:40 rear seat folded.

INFOTAINMENT
An Integrated Panoramic Display consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, five-
inch climate control interface and 12.3-inch multimedia touch screen. The Kia Connect
phone app interface is hooked up, enabling physical control of various functions by
remote, including presetting of climate control, plus monitoring and scheduling of battery
charging.

Over The Air updates are accessed via the multimedia system, which can be installed
and activated remotely without a trip to a dealership. All EVs feature wireless and wired
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone mirroring.

The GT-Line features an eight-speaker Harman/Kardon premium sound system, head-
up display, wireless phone charger, ambient lighting, surround view and blind spot
monitor.

Vehicle to Load is part of the EV4 package with a connection (Max 250V/16A) at the
base of the back seat. An external V2L adaptor is available for the EV Air as a Kia
Genuine Accessory.

ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The EV4 uses Kia’s E-GMP platform, developed from the ground up, for no compromise
with its single-motor layout driving the front wheels. The Kia EV4 Air Standard Range is
powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering maximum power of
150kW and torque of 283Nm, mated with a one-speed reduction gear automatic transmission.
This is good for a range of up to 436 kilometres.

The Air’s Standard Range battery is rated at 58.3kWh, while the Earth and GT-Line’s
Long-Range steps up to 81.4kWh. Both batteries are lithium-ion NCM type.

SAFETY
There’s no lack of active and passive safety in the EV4. Features across the board
include Highway Driving Assist 2, Forward Collision Avoidance Assist 2, Driver Attention
Warning with Hands on detection sensors built into the steering wheel and a centre side
airbag among seven airbags.

DRIVING
Quiet, smooth, stable, and oh, spacious, just about sums up the EV4 GT-Line Long
Range. While the EV4 Air with Standard Range battery is no slouch, the maker claiming
acceleration to 100km/h from standstill in 7.4 seconds, just 0.4 of a second faster than
the bulkier Earth and GT-Line.

Standard Range and Long-Range batteries can be charged via a Type 2 port, with DC
from 10 to 80 per cent in as little as 29 minutes for the 58.3kWh standard battery using
a 350kW fast charger. The 81.4kWh battery will do the same in 31 minutes, or seven
hours in the home.

Also helping to optimise driving range is the EV4’s incorporation of the latest i-Pedal 3.0
adjustable regenerative braking system along with Smart Braking.

Initiated by an extended push of the left-hand paddle shifter, i-Pedal 3.0 enables one-
pedal driving with adjustable levels of regenerative braking, while also facilitating
maximum efficiency. Settings will remain after restarting the vehicle.

Not that non-electric features take a back seat, with the EV4 given a ride-and-handling
once-over by Aussie engineers to ensure it is fit for purpose on the unique road
conditions Down Under.

The result is a steering tune that delivers stable and responsive cornering with good
feedback in both Comfort and Sport driving modes.

SUMMARY
The EV4 GT-Line Long Range is a vehicle for the times. While ICE users are being
burnt at the bowser the Kia sedan, with more than 600 kilometres ‘in the tank’, keeps
the lid on range anxiety in all but the most isolated public charger-absent spots.

RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 7
Safety – 7
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 8
Value – 7

AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Kia EV4 Air Standard Range $47,600
Kia EV4 Air Long Range $53,315
Kia EV4 Earth Long Range $58,600
Kia EV4 GT-Line Long Range $63,950
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your
Kia local dealer for drive-away prices.

SPECIFICATIONS (Kia EV4 GT-Line Long Range,1sp auto, FWD sedan)

ENGINE
Electric motor: Front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power 150kW
Maximum torque: 283Nm
DRIVELINE: 1 Speed Automatic Transmission (Reduction Gear), FWD

BATTERY: Lithium ion
Capacity 8.2Ah
Energy: 81.4kWh

PERFORMANCE:
Driving range: 612km
Energy consumption: (claimed) 14.4kWh/100km
Energy consumption on test 12.1kWh/100km

CHARGING:
DC Fast Charge 10-80% (350kW Charger) Approx. 31min
DC connector: CCS type 2
AC Charge 10-100% – with 11kW Charger Approx. 5h 20m (3 Phase 230V 16A)

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4730mm
Width: 1860mm
Height: 1480mm
Wheelbase: 2820mm:
Turning circle: 10.9m
Kerb weight: 1805kg

BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc

STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
Seven-years / 150,000 kilometres, battery