2026 Kia EV4 electric hatch to join sleek liftback

• Kia is working on an EV4 as one of 14 electric vehicles the automaker will offer by 2027
• The EV4 has been spied testing in hatchback form
• A sleek EV4 liftback is also out testing

Kia has been spotted testing a new body style for its upcoming EV4 electric compact car.

The EV4 was previewed last year as a thinly veiled concept. The concept featured a sleek liftback design, and prototypes for that body style have previously been spotted.

The latest spy shots show a prototype with a more traditional hatchback body style.

Both versions are expected to launch next year, and if they reach the U.S. they will likely arrive as 2026 models.

The EV4 is expected to ride on Hyundai Motor Group’s flexible E-GMP platform found in the EV6 and EV9, as well as some Hyundai and Genesis offerings. To curb costs, Kia is expected to skip the 800-volt version of the platform and go with a less-expensive 400-volt version. The automaker did the same with the EV3 subcompact crossover that debuted in May.

It remains unclear how much horsepower the EV4 will have. So far, Kia has only shown the EV3 with a single electric motor producing 201 hp. The EV4 will likely offer the 201-hp motor as a base option and join it by a more powerful dual-motor all-wheel-drive alternative.

Inside, there is likely to be a minimalist cabin with a single panel combining screens for a digital gauge cluster and infotainment hub, just like in the EV4 concept. At the concept’s unveiling, Kia announced that the production model would include a new AI-powered voice assistant, which the automaker plans to gradually introduce across more of its vehicles.

The EV4 is one of 14 electric vehicles Kia plans to have in its lineup as soon as 2027. Also in the pipeline are two pickup trucks, a PV5 midsize van, and possibly an EV8 sedan to replace the Stinger and K8 sedan sold overseas.