Although SUVs and crossovers currently dominate the automotive industry, the electric vehicle (EV) segment seems to want to bring cars back into the spotlight. The Tesla Model 3 is still among the world’s best-selling EVs.BMW is preparing the Neue Klasse, which could bring the iconic 3 Series in a whole new direction. And Mercedes-Benz is about to unleash the all-electric CLA into the wild. To say nothing about the Hyundai IONIQ 6.
And now Kia could join the party as well, with the upcoming EV4, an all-electric concept car presented during the carmaker’s EV Day event earlier this year. There has been speculation around the fact that it could mark the return of the Stinger sportback sedan, or downright replace the entry level K4 as Kia’s entry level sedan and hatchback. Our latest spy shots give us a clearer view of what to expect.
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New Spy Shots Surface Of Kia EV4 Undergoing Testing And Development
The EV4 will supposedly slot below the EV6 as a more affordable hatchback.
E-GMP Going The Distance
These latest spy shots definitely help us better rate the EV4’s dimensions and proportions. It appears a tad smaller than the EV6, but still a smidge larger than the upcoming EV3, which, according to Kia, will be smaller than the current Niro.
But it feels great not to see another SUV, but rather a true, small car with appropriate hatchback proportions. The rear section on the EV4 hatch suggests a set of taillights that drop downwards, similar to what we’ve seen with recent Kia products like the 2025 Carnival minivan. The front bumper reminds us of the EV6 GT. Will the EV4 have its GT version as well? From the looks of these spy shots, which have been taken at the Nürburgring, it seems like Kia is serious about performance.
What’s also impressive is to see how much flexibility the entire Hyundai group is getting from the E-GMP EV platform. It allows its three brands – Hyundai, Kia and Genesis – to truly scale its vehicles to different sizes, shapes, sizes and price points, which is what we’re witnessing with this EV4 hatchback.
We know very little about the EV4, except that it will be built in Slovakia. But we could see the same battery options as the EV3, either a 58.3-kWh (usable) unit, or a much larger 81.4 kWh setup. The EV4 could also only be front-wheel drive. We’ll keep following the 2026 Kia EV4’s development closely, and will report here as we know more. We’re truly excited to see Kia bringing cars back into the spotlight in this SUV-crazy era.
