The Kia EV4, built in Žilina, proves that a segment-C EV can offer up to 625 km of WLTP range and a sensible price tag. We review its specs, costs and the upcoming urban EV2.
In today's automotive world, when a manufacturer solemnly announces the arrival of an "electric revolution," it usually ends the same way: another bloated SUV that weighs like a small planetoid and costs a fortune.
But the Kia EV4 is proof that Korean engineers have decided to stop taking style lessons from refrigerator makers and served us something genuinely likable. Ladies and gentlemen, here is tangible evidence that electricity does not have to mean boredom, and Slovakia – where these marvels roll off the line – is rising as the new capital of European electrification.
While distant markets lament logistics costs, we in Poland can browse the current catalogue and rub our hands with satisfaction.
| Model | Battery (net) | WLTP range | DC charging power | Starting price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia EV4 | 58.3 – 81.4 kWh | up to 625 km | 128 kW | 173,900 PLN |
| Tesla Model 3 | 57.5 – 75 kWh | 513 – 629 km | 170 – 250 kW | approx. 194,900 PLN |
| Hyundai Ioniq 6 | 53 – 77.4 kWh | 429 – 614 km | 233 – 350 kW | approx. 209,000 PLN |
| Volkswagen ID.7 | 77 – 86 kWh | 621 – 709 km | 175 – 200 kW | approx. 267,000 PLN |
The Kia EV4 looks as if it escaped the set of an ambitious science-fiction film. Most importantly for us, inhabitants of the country on the Vistula, this electric successor to the legendary Ceed is built in Žilina.
That is just a stone's throw from our southern border. As a result, we get an almost "local," fresh product – and, sounding like an anomaly these days – sensibly priced. The engineers clearly did not take the easy route.
Producing electric cars in Slovakia is not only about saving on transport. It is a Central-European manifesto aimed at Germany's towering energy costs and the complex logistics from China. Kia has just proven that a premium car can be created without an "exotic tax."
This model is not just an "electric equivalent" of a combustion car – it is an entirely new body-building philosophy. Instead of a dull brick, we get a choice between a sleek fastback and a hatchback version that could become the absolute king of Polish corporate fleets.
Prices start at 173,900 PLN for the Air version with a 58.3 kWh battery. If, however, you want to feel like the captain of an interstellar vessel, you can pick the GT-Line version with a hefty 81.4 kWh battery for 230,900 PLN.
That is more energy than you would find in many summer houses at peak season. New electric cars from this manufacturer are effectively reshaping the perception of segment C.
It is worth taking a closer look at what makes the Kia EV4 drive differently from the competition. The construction is based on the modular E-GMP platform, but in a slightly modified, more affordable version.
Although we will not find the 800V systems known from larger models here, the 400V architecture has been refined to perfection. Current flows with the precision of a Swiss watch, and the thermal management system ensures that cells do not overheat during dynamic motorway driving.
The interior is a separate story. Forget oceans of cheap plastic – recycled materials are used here, presented elegantly and minimally. The screens actually respond to touch, and ergonomics are at the highest level.
The manufacturer proves that a modern cockpit can be intuitive. What's more, any home charger will replenish this model's energy overnight, making it an extremely practical everyday companion.
The biggest problem with electric cars so far has been the fact that their declared range melted away rapidly. In the case of the Kia EV4 with the larger 81.4 kWh battery, the promised WLTP range is an impressive 625 km.
Let us face reality: even if realistically, in typical Polish weather and with the air conditioning on, we cover 450–500 km, that is still a stellar result.
That is a distance that lets you drive from Warsaw to Gdańsk without nervously hunting for a free stall at a motorway service area. The DC charging architecture with up to 128 kW allows for exceptionally efficient energy top-ups.
30 minutes on a fast connector is enough to regain range for another several hundred kilometres. Importantly, the charging curve is stable – the Kia EV4 does not lose performance sharply after a few minutes, a common ailment of cheaper competitors.
The real earthquake hitting Polish showrooms in March 2026 will be the EV3 model and the announced EV2. The latter is a small B-SUV that is set to become a new reference point for the segment.
The car is barely 4 metres long, fitting snugly into tight parking bays, yet inside it packs more technology than many current upper-class cars.
For a price hovering around 101,700 PLN we get the base version. However, it is the Long Range variant with a 61 kWh battery and 448 km of range that has the best chance of becoming a market hit.
One hundred thousand zlotys for an EV with real range? This is the moment when owners of used diesel Passats should start sweating. Kia has just stopped knocking on the mass-market customer's door – it kicked it down together with the frame.
Picture this: nimble, urban electric cars that you can drive without stress even on longer trips to the mountains.
During winter tests in Scandinavia, the technology proved its mettle against frost down to -21 degrees, maintaining full system efficiency and heat pump performance.
Shifting production weight to Europe is a strategic masterstroke. By avoiding high duties on Asian products, the manufacturer can offer premium-class parameters at a price that hits traditional European brands directly.
Competition in the segment is now taking on entirely new hues. The Kia EV4 no longer plays the role of a "cheap alternative." Now it sets the terms, offering a solid warranty and a service network perfectly prepared for the new technology.
Choosing the Kia EV4, the customer receives a product refined for European roads. Browsing the catalogue of available models, it is easy to see how comprehensive this offer has become.
A modern charger installed in the garage makes running this car cheaper and more convenient than a classic diesel or hybrid.
The system is supported by an advanced battery preconditioning unit. In sub-zero temperatures, if you select a charging point in the navigation, the car heats the cells to an optimal 25–30 degrees Celsius. This keeps DC charging power close to the maximum 128 kW even in deep frost.
Yes, despite its positioning as a budget model, the EV2 will be equipped with V2L technology with an output of up to 3.6 kW. This means that any external electric device – such as a coffee machine or a laptop – can be powered from the car's charging port.
In the Long Range version, the Kia EV4 uses nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) cells, which feature higher energy density – making the car lighter and giving it more range. Cheaper variants may use lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) cells, which, although heavier, offer exceptionally long life.
Absolutely. Delivery time for cars produced in Žilina is roughly 8–10 weeks shorter compared to models imported from Asia. Thanks to an efficient supply chain, the Polish customer can count on a much faster handover of a configured unit.
The Kia EV4 is a powerful, precise uppercut to the chin of the competition. We get cosmic design, ranges that allow free travel across the country, and prices that make buying a combustion segment-C car feel like investing in typewriters in the digital age.
If you are looking for an EV that has soul, character, and does not feel like driving a microwave on wheels, you have just found it.
The Koreans took a gamble and won this game with crushing dominance. Modernity has just become accessible, and we are watching, right at the centre of change, as the Kia EV4 effectively conquers the roads.
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Ranks 280 families
What share of combined range at 23 °C remains at −10 °C?
Ranks 280 families
What share of WLTP range does real-world range reach over a year in Poland?
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The Kia EV4 is a low, aerodynamic electric sedan (or fastback) with up to 81.4 kWh battery, up to 625 km WLTP range and 204 hp front-wheel drive. Prices from PLN 173,900.
