Kia EV4 Fastback evaluate: a classy antidote to SUV ubiquity

The lazy line that ‘fashionable vehicles all look the identical’ trotted out by in any other case clever individuals is straightforward to rebuff by juxtaposing a picture of any two-seater sportscar alongside a pickup truck. However it’s nonetheless truthful to say there’s a considerably tedious center floor to many world car markets in 2026 populated by largely nameless small-to-medium Sports activities Utility Automobiles (SUVs) or crossovers that might be extra energy-efficient and the place important distinction is tough to discern.

Hoping to shake up that area – albeit in a small method – enters Kia’s EV4 Fastback. ‘Many firms are so centered on SUVs that it may well grow to be a cul-de-sac,’ says Kia’s world head of design Karim Habib. ‘There are other ways of doing mobility, and it’s our job to suggest them.

‘What’s fascinating is that these EV architectures have a sure flexibility in them that permits us to do these items,’ he continues. ‘The EV4 Fastback was a part of the considering that there must be, as we transfer to a brand new period, automobiles that symbolise it. A sporty automobile doesn’t should be a protracted hood two-seater solely. It may be various things.’

Habib is referring to the packaging prospects of standalone EVs after they don’t should optionally accommodate petrol or hybrid powertrains as nicely. Consequently, such EVs don’t require a protracted bonnet to accommodate an inner combustion engine or a lumpy transmission tunnel down the center of the cabin – which permits for a flat ground inside.

What full-electric long-range EVs do want although is area for giant batteries, and a standard spot to put them is low down between the 2 axles, so transferring these axles additional aside permits such battery room whereas additionally creating more room for entrance and rear passengers.

Given these prospects Habib’s design crew suggest the EV4 Fastback – an elongated sedan-cum-fastback electrical car – which made manufacturing in late 2025 staying refreshingly near the impressively uncommon EV4 Idea first proven at Kia’s annual EV Day in October 2023. Current and proper are equally lengthy (4.73 m, low (1.48 m) and extensive (1.86 m) proportions from the idea that additionally assist create a big 490-litre boot area.

These dimensions mark the EV4 Fastback aside from different current manufacturing coupé crossover EVs too – for instance the upper and shorter Citroën ë-C4 X – though each fashions share a traditional boot lid opening and glued tonneau cowl part.

The EV4 Fastback’s exterior design sticks with Kia’s signature EV ‘closed mouth’ higher entrance face with slim headlights that outline the wheel arches. These arches additionally characteristic graphically daring gloss black accents round them which hook up with the aspect sills earlier than rising once more to fulfill the boot lid’s lip. The Fastback additionally provides twin truncated black rearward roof extensions, below which the rear windscreen tucks in.

Inside, the EV4 Fastback is equally elegant – if not fairly so authentic. Sharing design options with many different fashionable Kia EVs it nonetheless gives an ethereal cabin with a comparatively low dashboard and extensive and horizontal mixed centre touchscreen and driver show perched atop. The UX software program might do with some finessing, however a star-marked steering wheel shortcut button to minimise too many security alerts and easy Apple CarPlay mirroring make it rapidly purposeful and extra acceptable.

Comfy and good narrow-rib, synthetic leather-based entrance seats are topped off with uncommon entrance headrests that includes a see-through mesh that are each pleasant to relaxation in opposition to whereas additionally making a lighter-feeling cabin. Rear passenger area can also be good for outboard occupants with helpful headroom carved out of the ceiling, however the fifth rear center seat, the place the ceiling dips decrease, is just for shorter people.

To drive, the EV4 Fastback is straightforward work. All variations are front-wheel drive, 204 hp single motor fashions offering clean if unspectacular acceleration (7.9secs 0-62mph), with gently weighted steering and well-damped suspension largely masking highway imperfections, regardless of the 19-inch alloys on this take a look at automobile. Its 81.4 kWh battery pack gives a superb 380 miles of vary, with its aerodynamic decrease roof and longer tail serving to. Certainly, the EV4 Fastback is Kia’s most aerodynamic EV ever, recording a 0.23 Cd.

If this standout design seems like an excessive amount of of a bounce, Kia additionally gives a shorter EV4 Hatchback from £33,245, with a extra accessible, if smaller, 435-litre boot. It’s a superb electrical replace of the household hatch form pioneered by the VW Golf, however in the event you actually wish to keep away from driving down the over-populated SUV cul-de-sac, the EV4 Fastback is definitely the extra fascinating lane to analyze.