Kia EV4 review: Air, Earth and GT-Line electric sedans compared in Australia

The Kia EV4 is a deliberately different family car: a low electric sedan with a long tail, a 490-litre boot and three Australian grades rather than another upright SUV. The range spans the 58.3 kWh Air Standard Range, the 81.4 kWh Earth Long Range and the 81.4 kWh GT-Line Long Range. All use a 150 kW front motor, but the battery, equipment and wheel choices change how each version fits Australian driving. This review compares those real differences instead of treating the EV4 as a generic electric car.

Australian range and pricing

Kia Australia lists the EV4 Air from an advertised drive-away estimate of $52,990, Earth from $62,990 and GT-Line from $68,490 on the current offers page. Offers and drive-away pricing are time-limited, so ask a dealer for a written quote in your state. The model is sold as a sedan in Australia, with a 4,730 mm body, 1,860 mm width, 1,480 mm height and 2,820 mm wheelbase. That long wheelbase is central to its appeal: the EV4 is not a small city hatch, but a comfortable compact family car with a proper boot.

Kia’s brochure notes that charging times depend on charger condition, battery temperature and ambient temperature. WLTP is a laboratory comparison figure, not a guarantee of the distance on a hot highway day with air-conditioning and luggage.

Air Standard Range: the balanced entry point

The Air is the EV4 for drivers who want the model’s cabin, safety platform and sedan practicality without paying for the largest battery. Its 58.3 kWh pack still returns a quoted 456 km WLTP, enough for most weekly commuting and many regional day trips when home charging is available. The 17-inch wheels are also a sensible choice for comfort and tyre replacement cost. With the same 150 kW motor, Air is not a slow version; its 7.4-second claimed sprint is slightly quicker than the Long Range grades because it carries less battery weight.

Air includes the integrated 12.3-inch, 5-inch and 12.3-inch panoramic display arrangement, Kia Connect with over-the-air updates, wired and wireless smartphone connectivity, interior V2L and Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change assistance. Blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic assistance, lane following and driver-attention monitoring are listed. The compromise is equipment: heated seats, the exterior V2L adaptor, larger wheels and several luxury features are reserved for the Long Range grades.

Earth Long Range: the range specialist

Earth is the practical long-distance choice. The 81.4 kWh battery lifts the official range to 612 km, which is among the strongest claims in the comparison list. That reserve can reduce the number of public charging stops on a long trip, although highway speed, wind, rain, temperature and payload still matter. Earth adds 19-inch wheels, heated front seats, premium mesh headrests, a ten-way powered driver’s seat and an auto-dimming mirror. It also adds an exterior V2L adaptor, so the car can power suitable equipment outside rather than only through the cabin outlet.

The larger battery takes approximately 31 minutes for a 10–80 per cent DC session on a 350 kW charger, compared with about 29 minutes for Air. That difference is small in a road-trip stop, but the charger must support the car’s actual curve. At home, the 10.5 kW three-phase onboard limit can make good use of a suitable installation; a single-phase home will charge more slowly at the 6.9 kW limit. A licensed electrician should check the property before any wallbox is purchased.

GT-Line Long Range: equipment-led upgrade

GT-Line uses the same 81.4 kWh battery, front motor and 612 km WLTP claim as Earth, so the reason to choose it is equipment rather than extra range. It adds intelligent front lighting, relaxation seats, a wide sunroof, heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats and ambient mood lighting. Parking Collision Avoidance–Reverse, a surround-view monitor, blind-spot view monitor, Safe Exit Assist and Remote Smart Park Assist are also listed. Remote parking is subject to local road rules; Kia specifically warns that the feature should not be used within Western Australia’s road-traffic restrictions.

The GT-Line’s extra technology is valuable for owners who park in tight garages or spend long hours in the car, but it also creates more features to learn and more expensive options to repair outside warranty. The key question is whether you will use the cameras, ventilated seats and parking assistance often enough to justify the price gap. If the answer is no, Earth supplies the same battery and range with a simpler specification.

Cabin, storage and everyday use

The EV4’s 2,820 mm wheelbase gives rear passengers a useful starting point, while the 490-litre boot is closer to a conventional family sedan than a small hatch. The rear seatback can be folded for longer items, but buyers should measure a pram, sports gear or dog crate rather than assume every shape will fit. The low roofline is part of the car’s aerodynamic identity, so check rear headroom if tall passengers regularly travel in the second row.

The panoramic display layout keeps navigation, speed and climate information visible, and Kia includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Interior V2L is standard; Earth and GT-Line add the outdoor adaptor. The EV4 also supports i-Pedal driving, which can increase regenerative recovery and reduce use of the hydraulic brakes, but new drivers should practise in a quiet area because lift-off deceleration feels different from a petrol sedan.

Safety and assistance

Kia lists autonomous emergency braking with vehicle, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, lane following assistance, intelligent speed-limit assistance and driver-attention monitoring. GT-Line adds the 360-degree surround-view and blind-spot view monitors. These systems are support features, not autonomous driving; the driver remains responsible for steering, speed and observation. Check the current ANCAP record and the exact standard equipment on the vehicle being offered.

Ownership questions

Kia Connect services are listed for seven years from the warranty start date, subject to phone compatibility and service terms. Kia also offers prepaid service plans, but its Australian page says the seven-year capped-price servicing programme is not active on EV models. Ask for the EV4 service schedule, battery warranty, roadside assistance terms and any service-plan price before signing. Tyres are another ownership difference: 19-inch Earth and GT-Line replacements may cost more than Air’s 17-inch tyres, while the larger Long Range battery adds weight and purchase cost.

Official EV4 video

Strengths

• 612 km WLTP Long Range versions give the EV4 a strong touring reserve.
• 490-litre boot and long wheelbase make the sedan more useful than its low silhouette suggests.
• Air keeps the price and wheel size sensible while retaining the 150 kW motor.
• V2L, OTA updates and a broad driver-assistance package are available across the family.
• Earth and GT-Line add genuine comfort and parking equipment rather than cosmetic badges alone.

Limitations

• Real-world range will be lower than WLTP in fast, cold, windy or heavily loaded driving.
• 19-inch tyres and luxury equipment increase Earth and GT-Line ownership costs.
• Charging time depends on the site, battery temperature and charger capability.
• The sedan body is distinctive but may be less convenient than an SUV for tall cargo.
• Drive-away offers, service pricing, local availability and safety scope can change.

Verdict

The Kia EV4 is a convincing alternative for buyers who want an efficient electric sedan rather than another SUV. Air is the value-focused choice for home chargers and normal commuting. Earth is the strongest all-round recommendation when long-distance flexibility matters, because its 612 km claim and exterior V2L add useful capability without paying for GT-Line’s luxury hardware. GT-Line makes sense for buyers who value ventilated relaxation seats, enhanced parking cameras, the sunroof and a more premium cabin atmosphere. The model’s success depends on choosing the grade that matches your actual driving, then confirming the current Australian price, warranty and equipment in writing.

Compare it with other models on the TrolleySaver electric-car comparison.

Research note: this review is based on Kia Australia’s EV4 materials and the comparison listing. It does not claim personal ownership or independent road testing. Specifications, software, prices and availability may change.