On the heels of the Kia EV5 breaking cover, its smaller sibling, expected to be called the Kia EV4, has been spotted testing in Europe.
Blackout netting covers what are potentially production-spec light fixtures, suggesting this prototype is close to production-ready.
Camouflage makes it difficult to discern the exact lighting design. However, we can spot stacked headlight clusters that echo the EV9, and similarly vertical tail lights reminiscent of the curved lightbar on the EV6.
Geometric wheel designs sport the same silver finish as the EV5 but with a slightly different triangular design.
The roof is slightly raked, but this nevertheless has a boxy shape like that of the larger EV5 and EV9.
While specifics haven’t been given yet for the EV4, it looks to be in the size range of the existing Kia Niro which measures in at 4420mm long, or the Seltos at 4365mm long.
The EV4 could share a new platform with the EV5, designed for EVs more affordable than the larger, E-GMP-based EV6 and EV9, and rival the likes of the Peugeot e-2008.
Carscoops reports the EV4 will be a budget model with an entry price below US$30,000 (AU$46,600) with a 400V setup and a single electric motor to reduce costs.
It’s expected that Kia will officially unveil the model in the coming months, after the reveal of the EV5 at this weekend’s Chengdu Motor Show.
The EV4 will join the already launched Kia EV6, the imminent EV5 mid-size SUV, and another rumoured crossover SUV, the EV3.
Automotive News previously reported that the EV4 will begin production in late 2024, followed by the similarly sized EV3 in mid-2026.
Kia Europe marketing chief David Hilbert previously said: “All the major segments will be covered in some form [by 2027],” specifically mentioning the B-SUV segment in Europe and how it is now the largest segment there.
EV5 
EV9
The Korean brand is on track to introduce 14 EVs by 2027, the most recent introduction being the EV9 large SUV.
Kia Australia has previously confirmed it’s putting its hand up for any electric model it can get.
