The Kia EV4 has been spotted ahead of its global debut. However, it is not yet clear whether this electric vehicle will come to India or not? Let us know in detail what will be special about this new electric sedan.
The Kia EV4 was first showcased at the South Korean automaker’s first annual EV Day event in October last year. However, at that time it only existed as a conceptual model. Recently, spy photos of test mules surfaced, which show that Kia is going to bring this electric sedan to market. Kia could unveil the EV4 as a production model by the end of 2024. Once on the market, this EV car will join the existing EV EV3 and EV5 lineup as part of the automaker’s low-cost electric car lineup.
Kia wants to establish itself as a major car manufacturer in the electric era. For this, the company plans to manufacture low-cost models. Currently, on average, electric cars are much more expensive than combustion engine models, preventing even interested buyers from purchasing an electric vehicle. Chinese manufacturers are currently trying to conquer the market with subsidies and affordable electric vehicles.
Chinese companies have effectively wrested a significant share of sales from Western companies seeking to make their mark on the burgeoning electric vehicle industry. To compete with China, automakers around the world are increasingly trying to introduce low-cost electric cars. Kia is also in this line.
The Kia EV4 is projected as a new type of EV sedan, which almost falls into the crossover category. It has a long silhouette, with fast, wide fenders and a roofline that gradually tapers into a ducktail spoiler. The concept model takes design cues from Kia’s new electric cars, such as the recently launched EV9 SUV. It is equipped with vertical headlights and taillights.
The EV4 is expected to include the automaker’s next-generation connected car navigation cockpit, which is currently featured on the EV5. It includes a widescreen display with a 12.3-inch digital cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment system. The display unit also has a five-inch digital panel for the car’s air conditioning.
Kia’s EV roadmap: Will the EV4 electric sedan come to India?
Kia first revealed the EV3, EV4 and EV5 as concept models at the EV Day 2023 event. Outlining its global electric vehicle strategy, the South Korean automaker said the EV6 models and EV9 would be introduced first in emerging markets with slower electric vehicle adoption rates.
Kia said these initial launches would be followed by the release of its lower-cost electric models. The EV3 and EV5 have already been launched in some markets. In India, the company already has the Kia EV6 electric sedan and the Kia EV9 all-electric SUV was also recently launched here. However, it is unclear whether the EV3 and EV5 could be among the next models Kia is looking to offer in India in its entry-level range. While the sedan is expected to come to India, the Kia EV4 will follow these respective launches. It is not yet confirmed whether the Kia EV4 will come to India. But if that’s the case, it’s more likely to enter the market as a Completely Built Unit (CBU).