Cheapest version of new fastback cites as Kia’s most efficient car here.

TWO versions of Kia’s electric EV4 fastback sedan have been chosen for sale here, with the cheaper promising to be the marque’s range champion.

The South Korean marque’s equivalent to the Tesla Model 3 and, conceivably, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is here in $63,990 Light two-wheel-drive Long Range and $75,990 GT-Line 2wd Long Range.

EV4 shares underpinnings with the EV3 compact sports utility Kiwis are becoming familiar with in standard car and up-spec GT-Line formats.

The platform presently provisions with a 150kW/283Nm electric motor on the front axle and with EV3 there’s the choice of a 58.3kWh standard battery or an 81.4kWh long-range battery. The EV4 only has the larger battery.

This is the 400 volt version of the E-GMP electric-vehicle underpinning, using nickel-manganese-cobalt battery packs, rather than the 800 volt set used by larger Kia and Hyundai products.

In EV3, the champion for range is the $62,220 Light Long Range single motor with the large battery, which is cited to achieve 605km according to WLTP.

The entry EV4 will achieve 633kms’, due its slipperier shape - a drag co-efficient of 0.23 is the best yet for a Kia electric, though still slightly behind the Ioniq 6.

All Kia EVs are destined to receive hot GT versions, so a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive range-topper with is expected down the line. Overseas’ reports say this will be a 250kW/470Nm grade capable of 0-100kmh acceleration in six seconds.

Kia NZ’s plan for the performance model is unclear.

The car was originally proposed by a five-door hatchback concept shown in 2023 and the production form remains true to that styling study.

Europe also see an alternate hatchback, but the sedan is more favoured for this part of the world as it comes from South Korea, whereas the hatchback is only manufactured in Slovakia.

Unsurprisingly, EV4 wears styling elements from other Kia models, including an aerodynamics-friendly sloping front end with 'Star Map' vertical LED headlights.

The interior is very close to that in the EV3, with with dual 12.3-inch screens, a 5.0-inch climate-control display, and recycled or eco-friendly materials throughout the cabin.

In provided comment today, Kia NZ boss Todd Donald said the EV4 was another progressive expression of Kia’s design ethos ‘Opposites United’ and would stand as “a unique addition to our impressive EV range.”

The Light Long Range has a broad safety feature span but the GT-Line is much stronger for comfort features, with a head-up display, Harmon/ Kardon sound system, heated and ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, power sunroof with one touch tilting and sliding function, power tailgate, wireless phone charging and exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels adding in.