Kia EV4 Fastback Review: Slinky shape limits practicality

Kia EV4 Fastback: Everything you need to know

Given SUVs’ ever-growing popularity you’d be forgiven for wondering why car manufacturers bother with more traditional bodystyles – yet that’s exactly what the Kia EV4 Fastback is. Kinda.

It’s essentially a four-door saloon version of the electric Kia EV4 five-door hatchback, except it’s more nuanced than that, in part because the EV4 Fastback is 5mm less tall. A tiny difference, granted, but one that Kia could legitimately claim makes it a four-door coupe. 

What does ‘Fastback’ mean, anyway? It’s a surprisingly old-fashioned term, dating back the best part of a century, used as an elegant euphemism for models with elongated bodywork which slopes continuously from the roof to the end of the tail. Access to the luggage area within the rump can be via a large tailgate, inclusive of the rear windscreen, or a conventional boot lid, as is the case here.

We’re sticking with referring to the body as a saloon, but while we don’t normally get drawn into describing cars’ styling, there’s no denying that the Kia EV4 Fastback is a striking creation. Maybe too unusual to attract traditional saloon car buyers who tend to have conservative automotive tastes.

Beneath the metalwork, the EV4 Fastback uses the same electric car-specific platform as the smaller, roomier Kia EV3 SUV, albeit only sold in the most powerful motor and battery combination offered outside of the forthcoming high performance GT models. As you’ll discover, we think 204PS and 81.4kWh are more than ample for most buyers’ needs.

That unfortunately means it’s a pricey proposition, with a starting price just shy of £41k with no government-funded Electric Car Grant (ECG) available to discount it. At least the EV4 Fastback compensates by being comprehensively equipped, only available in Kia’s higher-end GT-Line and GT-Line S trim levels.

Less generous is its spaciousness and how flexibly it might be used, with rear headroom in particular being inferior to the EV4 hatch due to the Fastback’s roofline. Its boot opening is slot-like, limiting the size of what can pass through it, despite offering a 55-litre greater volume than the hatchback alternative.

Rivals for the Kia EV4 Fastback are relatively few, being a diverse bunch that includes the now established BYD Seal, the recently facelifted Citroen e-C4 X as well as the perhaps surprisingly unrelated Hyundai Ioniq 6.

Despite its upmarket pricing, the EV4 Fastback can also count the box-fresh Mercedes Electric CLA among its rivals as well as the larger and similarly swoopily styled MG IM5.

How we tested the Kia EV4 Fastback

Reflecting how cars are used for a variety of roles in the real world, we tested the Kia EV4 Fastback on all manner of urban rat runs and motorway schlepps, with cross-country A- and B-roads in between. Surfaces were primarily asphalted, rarely glass-smooth and frequently rutted, while the landscape topography of the landscape was rarely horizontal, with plenty of undulations plus stiff ascents and descents to tackle.

Time was taken to determine the EV4 Fastback’s front and rear seat passenger space, including the central back bench position, as well as assessing the practicality of its boot and in-car storage facilities.

In addition to judging visibility outside and of the dashboard displays from the driver’s seat, we checked out how straightforward its screen-based and physical controls were to use, as well as gaining insights into how effective its automatic driver assistance systems (ADAS) were.

How easy the EV4 Fastback was to charge, using both domestic and public facilities, was observed, while we also learned what the Kia was like to park at roadsides as well as in one-level and multistorey facilities.

Is the Kia EV4 Fastback a good car?

While we think the Kia EV4 Fastback is a good car, we don’t think it’s sufficiently polished enough to say you must buy one if you’re shopping for an electric saloon. It should be on your shortlist, certainly, as should its rivals – in truth, only the Mercedes Electric CLA stood out as better overall and not by a significant margin.

We were impressed by the Kia’s driving range, build quality, equipment levels, ease of use, its long warranty and the generous boot volume. Less enamouring were the EV4’s narrow boot opening, restricted rear headroom, a ride quality that felt too firm over rough road surfaces and the narrow price differential compared with the Mercedes on one hand and the MG IM5 on the other.

Kia EV4 Fastback: Driving range

Only the larger 81.4kWh battery is available for the Kia EV4 Fastback, missing out on the smaller, cheaper 58.3kWh alternative found in its EV4 hatchback twin.

Whichever version of the EV4 Fastback you opt for, the official WLTP Combined cycle driving range is quoted at 380 miles. Our test coincided with a cold, wintry snap, resulting in a real-world figure of 310-330 miles – based on out experiences with the Kia EV3 in the summer, that should climb to 340-350 miles across a mixture of road speeds.

Kia EV4 Fastback: Charging 

Confusion reins based on how the recharging times for the Kia EV4 Fastback are presented in the specification tables found in the brochures and on its website.

Using a domestic wallbox charger is the best and most cost-effective way to keep any electric car’s battery topped up and for which Kia quotes a 10-100% charging time of 7 hours and 15 minutes, which sounds entirely reasonable. We’re assuming that this is at 11kW rather than the usual AC 7.4kW UK domestic rate, although Kia lists it at 230V/16A which equates to nearer 3.7kW.

For reference, Mercedes quotes 9 hours at 11kW for the CLA250+’s 85kWh battery to rise from 10-100% charge, Citroen claims the e-C4 X’s 54kWh pack can be fully charged in 7 hours 30 minutes at 7.4kW, while the 73.5kWh battery fitted to the MG IM5 Standard Range requires 12 hours for a 10-100% top-up.

We only recommend using DC ultra-rapid chargers when absolutely necessary as the cost to use them can be over 10 times the price of charging at home. Don’t be misled by the 31-minute time Kia states the EV4 Fastback takes to jump from 10-80% at 350kW because it will charge in that time when using a much less powerful hook-up. 

In fact, with the 81.4kWh battery pack, the EV4 Fastback’s on-board DC charger operates at a maximum rate of 127kW, although in order to achieve that rate, Kia notes the power source must be operating at 150kW or higher. That’s especially useful because 150kW chargers are far more commonplace than 350kW machines.

Compared with the rivals mentioned above, the Mercedes CLA has a DC charging maximum rate of 320kW requiring 22 minutes for a 10-80% recharge, the Citroen e-C4 X is limited to just 100kW with a 20-80% top-up taking ‘less than 30 minutes’ and at 150kW the MG IM5 Standard Range requires 26 minutes to zap from a 10-80% state of charge.

All versions of the Kia EV4 Fastback are fitted with 19-inch wheels shod in slender 50% sidewall profile tyres, the upshot being rutted and broken road surfaces are transmitted through the car to passengers’ posteriors more than they would if there was a 17-inch choice as with the EV4 hatch. We would urge Kia to consider offering the Fastback version in Air specification with the more modestly sized rims.

While it’s not woefully uncomfortable, it doesn’t feel as polished as it could, particularly at urban speeds. It also feels at odds with the EV4 Fastback’s ability to feel stable and reassured when motorway cruising, but divert onto a windier, undulating cross-country route and the Kia’s soft springing confirms this is no sports saloon.

Its body movements feel contradictory to the topography of the road, diluting desire and confidence to press on at pace. If you’re after a more agile car of this type, the Mercedes Electric CLA makes a better fist of it, but if outright comfort’s more your thing then be sure to try the Citroen e-C4 X.

It’s a similar tale with the EV4 Fastback’s steering, which ensures the car feels nimble, tracing corner arcs faithfully while maintaining speed, yet there’s little sensation transmitted through the wheel to the driver, further keeping enjoyment at bay. Its weighting is also too light for a car with any sporty aspirations, but that’s a welcome advantage around town.

Braking is very straightforward to modulate evenly, with a light pedal action reducing your right leg’s burden even when needing to stop at short notice. The level of regenerating braking effect can be varied using steering wheel-mounted, with the Auto setting striking a sensible balance that doesn’t feel too aggressive, while the mildest level feels the most relaxed and predictable.

Overall refinement is impressive, with little perceptible wind noise and the tyres only being notably audible across surface imperfections.

Kia EV4 Fastback: Batteries and motors

All Kia EV4 Fastback versions have the same electric drive system fed by an 81.4kWh battery, with the front-mounted motor directing power to the wheels via a single-speed automatic transmission.

Maximum power is 204PS – note that Kia references it under an alternative metric as 201bhp – while peak torque of 283Nm is available from the moment you press the accelerator. We appreciate that doing reflects Kia’s expertise and experience and building electric cars, with plenty of pedal movement that enables the performance to be introduced gradually, enabling smooth, unruffled progress, especially at urban speeds.

Top speed for all EV4 Fastbacks is electronically capped at 105mph to help preserve the battery’s energy reserves from being wasted at colossal speeds, while the 0-62mph benchmark requires 7.9 seconds. More than brisk enough for most people’s wishes and reinforcing that it’s no sports saloon.

For comparative reference, the Mercedes CLA250+ produces 272PS and 335Nm, squirting from 0-62mph in 6.7 seconds, while the Citroen e-C4 X Extended Range is more modest at 156PS/260Nm, requiring 9.3 seconds for the same benchmark. MG’s IM5 Standard Range is far more potent, yielding 295PS and 450Nm for a 6.8-second 0-62mph time. 

Euro NCAP awarded the Kia EV4 its full five-star rating when its safety equipment and structural strength were assessed in 2025, but only when fitted with the DriveWise safety pack – that’s standard in the UK. 

Within the individual categories, the Kia was rated at 84% for adult occupant protection and 85% for children. For vulnerable road users the score was 77% and 78% for its safety assist equipment.

Regardless of specification, all EV4 Fastbacks are comprehensively equipped with driver aids, which can be quickly turned off if they’re not your thing. The adaptive cruise control package works very well, including around town, rarely confusing parked cars with stationary traffic, although the driver attention monitor is very quick to pipe up and chastise you.

If you plan to tow with the Kia EV4 Fastback, you can do so, but only lightly – its maximum braked weight capacity is 1000kg.

That’s less than both the Mercedes Electric CLA and the MG IM5, both of which can haul up to 1500kg, but better than the Citroen e-C4 X which isn’t homologated to tow anything at all.

If maximised interior space for people and their luggage are key criteria when shopping for your next car, we wouldn’t urge you to rush out for the Kia EV4 Fastback. In fact, the smaller Kia EV3’s interior feels more spacious, accommodating adult passengers with greater ease.

In fairness, the EV4 Fastback’s rakish silhouette is an omnipresent giveaway that outright practicality isn’t at the heart of what Kia’s offering with it, so its limitations shouldn’t be particularly surprising.

Up front it’s very easy to find a comfortable driving position, especially so in the range-topping GT-Line S specification with its electrically adjustable seats with a memory function for the driver’s side. The window sill height and windscreen pillar thickness don’t make you feel unnecessarily hemmed-in, something which the front half of the central console amplifies by being set much closer to the floor.

Outward visibility is boosted by the low-set dashboard screens giving an uninterrupted forward view, while we think taller drivers will also appreciate being able to see the upper edges of the front wings, helping to position the car with greater ease.

Visibility out back isn’t especially compromised by the laid-back angle of the rear windscreen, although the view in the interior mirror is more slot-like than usual, but large door mirrors and the small third side windows prevent you from feeling vulnerable.

There’s plenty of space for limbs for front seat occupants, although taller adults might be conscious of how close their scalps are to the EV4 Fastback’s headlining, especially in the GT-Line S which includes a headroom-robbing electric sunroof.

Clambering into the rear of the EV4 Fastback confirms its roofline’s slinkiness impinges on available headroom for taller adults – for those of average height and lower, it’s fine, although you’ll also be conscious of how low it is back there when slotting wee ones’ child seats into the Isofix mounts in the outer positions.

In other respects the rear bench is decently accommodating with really generous legroom and a flat floor ensuring there are no ankle-cracking battles with the central passenger vying for space to slot their feet. In fact, the centre seat position isn’t the short straw in the Kia as it often is in cars of this size, being sufficiently broad for an average size adult between the belt buckles.

Space for in-car detritus is ample with wide but unlined bins in the lower edges of the doors, a large cubby beneath the front central armrest, a smaller open tray ahead of that and close to the floor, an additional tray for the smartphone charging pad and the spring-loaded cupholders. Reaching a drink while on the move is a bit of a stretch plus the pop-out curved retainers don’t hold them tightly – spillage is unlikely, but receptacles can rattle and slide around in them.

At 490 litres the Kia EV4 Fastback’s extra length gives it a 55-litre boot space over the hatchback bodywork option, which can be further expanded by folding over the 60/40-split rear seatbacks, although no figure is given for that maximum capacity. There’s also a chunky step up from the boot floor to the folded seatbacks, which don’t lie horizontal either, but the release levers are conveniently located at the top of the boot opening when the lid’s aloft.

That’s a greater volume than the Mercedes CLA (405 litres) and the MG IM5 (457 litres), but the Citroen e-C4 X sticks the boot in at 510 litres. The MG also offers 18 litres of space under the front bonnet for storing charging cables and smaller items, but they can be packed neatly away beneath the Kia’s boot floor.

While we applaud the extra capacity, the EV4 Fastback’s tiny boot lid pops open to reveal a wide but shallow slot through which to post your luggage, weekly shopping and DIY store purchases. This really compromises its credentials from a practicality perspective and could mean that some bulkier baby buggies are too tall when collapsed to pass through the gap. Try yours when you go for a test drive.

Using the boot could also prove a challenge for those with restricted mobility because not only is the opening relatively low, the vast majority of the space within lies beneath the rear windscreen, so if groceries have made a bid for freedom on the drive back from the supermarket, a broom or a ferrety young child might be required to required to retrieve them.

Located on the driver’s side front wing, just in front of the door is the Kia EV4 Fastback’s charging port. If you prefer to reverse into parking spaces when using public charging facilities then be aware that our experiences on test were that the chunky flexes for many were too short for that, but even driving nose-in could still involve resting the heavy cables across the bonnet, which we wouldn’t advise. It’s well-illuminated, though, so less of a challenge trying to plug it in at home at night.

Kia EV4 Fastback: Dimensions

From bumper-to-bumper the Kia EV4 Fastback measures 4730mm, which is 280mm longer than the equivalent specification EV4 hatchbacks. They share the same 1860mm bodywork width, exclusive of door mirrors, but at 1480mm the fastback is 5mm lower overall.

Depending on the specification, the Mercedes Electric CLA is 4723-4731mm long, 1855mm wide and 1468-1469mm tall, the Citroen e-C4 X has a length of 4600mm, a width of 1834mm and a height of 1525, while the MG IM5 is 4931mm, 1960mm and 1474mm respectively, making it the longest and widest of this group.

Despite being heavily reliant on plastics for the vast majority of its interior fixtures and fittings, the Kia EV4’s cabin nevertheless feels miles away from the manufacturer’s origins as a bargain basement brand. To describe it as upmarket would be pushing it, but it certainly doesn’t feel cheap.

All of the mouldings and buttons are not only fitted together to a high standard, free of any early signs of rattles and squeaks, the majority of touchpoints your hands will regularly come into contact with are interestingly textured with rubberised or metallic-finished paint. It also helps that not everything’s monotone.

Somewhat ironically, the most plasticky aspect of the interior is the faux leather sections of the seats’ upholstery, but that’s more because it feels too thin and flexible to be genuine hide.

All the physical controls, buttons and switches operate satisfyingly, although they do without the cushioned damping, so still feel ‘clicky’. Everything seems built to last and function for years.

Housed within the broad, glazed panel atop the Kia EV4 Fastback’s dashboard is a 12.3-inch driver’s display screen, a 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen and between them a 5.3-inch climate control-specific touchscreen, which you don’t need to use that often given there are physical adjusters for the temperature settings. 

There’s a harmonious design common to all three, so they look purpose-designed to slot together, although we envisage most people will take advantage of the effortless ease of using the wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity to mirror their smartphones’ primary apps. Google Maps looks far slicker than the Kia’s native navigation system.

We have no quibbles about the clarity and resolution of the displays and the responsiveness of the touchscreen element was ideal for use while driving. The grainy texture of the dashboard moulding beneath it also acts as a handy ledge to rest your thumb or fingers when prodding away at the interface.

We were impressed by the clarity and richness of the eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system which is part of the GT-Line S version’s equipment roster, but the six-speaker alternative found in the GT-Line was notable for not being a poor relation when we tried it in the hatchback version.

These are the current on-the-road (OTR) prices for the Kia EV4 Fastback, as of December 2025. No version is in receipt of the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG). Prices can and do change, so use these as a guide but also check on Kia’s UK website for up-to-date price lists.

Is the Kia EV4 Fastback good value compared with its rivals?

You might well be expecting the price of the Mercedes Electric CLA to significantly eclipse that of the Kia EV4 Fastback, yet at the cheaper end of the range there’s almost an overlap. Only available so far with the CLA250+ drive system its prices range from £45,615 to £53,120.

Considering the MG IM5 is a physically larger car than the Kia, its prices also reflect strong value, ranging as they do from £39,450 for the 75 Standard Range to £48,495 for the 100 Performance version.

By some margin, the bargain of this ensemble is the Citroen e-C4 X, the only one discounted down by £1500 by being ECG-compliant. Its OTR prices range from an extraordinary £27,215 for the Plus Electric 136hp Standard Range to £30,005 if you go for the bigger batteried Max Electric 156hp Extended Range.

For the lowest electric car running costs – a rule to which the Kia EV4 Fastback is not exempted – it pays to have a wallbox installed at home. Such a device enables you to potentially access cheaper, electric car-friendly tariffs of around 7p/kWh.

Public rapid charging is expensive, although is set to become less so with the value added tax (VAT) set to fall from 20% to 5%. Still, we recommend these are only used when necessary and for as short a period as you can safely do so before heading home. Public charging points are not cost-effective solutions if installing a wallbox at home isn’t viable.

From April 2026 the annual VED car tax bill from the second year of a car’s first registration onwards is £200, including for electric models.

One tax advantage of choosing an EV is that the Expensive Car Supplement only applies when the retail price inclusive of optional extras was £50,000 or higher, rather than £40,000 for models fitted with combustion engines. All EV4 Fastbacks fall below that threshold.

Low Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) taxation for electric cars means they are highly sought-after by company car drivers who are able to take advantage of their 4% taxation rate for the 2026/27 financial year.

While it’s too soon to yet know of any reliability concerns for the EV4 Fastback, like all Kias it comes with a seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, while the battery pack is separately guaranteed for eight years or 100,000 miles.

Kia EV4 Fastback: Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between the Kia EV4 and the EV4 Fastback?

They are different body styles of the EV4 range – the one without an additional element to its name is the five-door hatchback, while the Fastback is a coupe-like four-door saloon.

What’s the Kia EV4 Fastback’s driving range?

All versions of the EV4 Fastback have an official WLTP Combined cycle driving range of 380 miles.

How big is the Kia EV4 Fastback’s boot?

Although it has a small opening, the EV4 Fastback’s boot has a 490-litre volume.

Is the Kia EV4 Fastback available through Motability?

No it isn’t. The only EV4 available through the scheme is the hatchback in Air specification with the 81.4kWh battery.

Since the Kia EV4 Fastback was launched it has been available in two levels of specification – GT-Line and GT-Line S.

Kia EV4 Fastback: Current trim levels

Kia EV4 Fastback GT-Line standard equipment (June 2025 to date):

• 19-inch alloy wheels
• GT-Line-specific body styling
• Rear roof spoiler
• Automatic LED headlights
• LED daytime-running lights
• LED tail lights
• LED rear fog lights
• Gloss Black side sills, wheel arch extensions and rear windscreen surround
• Automatically retracting exterior door handles
• Keyless Smart Entry System
• Smartphone-linked digital keyAutomatic windscreen wipers
• Dark-tinted rear privacy glass
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reversing camera
• 12.3-inch driver’s instrumentation screen
• 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen
• 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen
• Integrated navigation system
• Bluetooth device connectivity
• Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone connectivity
• Six-speaker audio system
• Wireless smartphone charging pad
• 2x front USB-C sockets
• 2x rear USB-C sockets
• 1x front 12V socket
• Manually adjustable and heated front seats with electric lumbar adjustment for driver’s seat
• Two-tone faux leather seat upholstery
• Faux leather-wrapped, heated GT-Line three-spoke steering wheel
• GT-Line-specific interior finish
• Black headlining
• Alloy pedals
• Customisable LED interior ambient lighting
• All-round electric windows with one-touch function for front windows
• Dual-zone climate-controlled air-conditioning
• 60:40 split-folding rear seatbacks
• Front centre console with cubby beneath armrest
• Rear centre armrest containing two cupholders
• Drive Mode Select – Normal, Eco, Sport, MyDrive and Snow
• Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Regenerative Braking Paddle Shifters
• Electronic parking brake with Autohold
• Hill-Start Assist
• Driver Attention Warning
• Adaptive Smart Cruise Control 2.0 with Stop & Go functionality
• Intelligent Speed Limit Assist
• Speed Limiter
• Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2.0 with city, pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning and junction crossing detection
• Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Highway Driving Assist 2.0 with Hands-on Detection
• Lane Keep Assist
• Lane Follow Assist 2.0 with Hands-on Detection
• Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist

Kia EV4 Fastback GT-Line S standard equipment (June 2025 to date) – differences from GT-Line include:

• Automatic Small Cube Design LED headlights
• Automatic, adaptive LED main beam
• Electrically operated boot lid
• Electric sliding and tilting sunroof
• Customisable Head-up Display (HUD)
• Eight-speaker Harman Kardon Premium Sound System
• Electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats with Premium Relaxation function and memory settings for driver’s seat
• Heated outer rear seats
• All-round electric windows with one-touch function for all
• 3-pin in-car electrical socket
• Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) external charge port adapter 
• 360-degree Surround View Monitor
• Remote Smart Parking Assist
• Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist
• Blind-Spot View Monitor

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