Kia’s electric hatch gains AWD and nearly 350 miles of range

Kia launched the new all-wheel drive (AWD) EV4 variant in Europe, but it’s not quite the range-topping GT model.

Kia adds new AWD option for the EV4

The EV4 is unique as Kia’s first electric vehicle built in Europe. It’s offered as both a hatchback and fastback (sedan), starting at about €37,590 ($43,000) in Europe.

Up until now, the EV4 has only been available with a single front-mounted electric motor with 201 hp (150 kW) and 283 Nm of torque.

For the 2027 model, Kia is upping the ante with a new all-wheel drive (AWD) option. The new AWD option adds a rear electric motor, delivering a combined 265 hp (195 kW) and 385 Nm of torque. It’s available for the Earth and GT-Line trims, but not the base Air model.

While it matches the power of the dual-motor EV3 GT, Kia is not selling it as a performance model with a “GT” badge.

The EV4 Earth AWD uses the larger 81.4 kWh battery, providing a WLTP range of up to 560 km (347 miles). The sportier GT-Line variant uses the same battery, but offers a range of up to 550 miles (341 miles)

In Germany, the base Kia EV4 Air FWD starts at €37,590 ($43,000) with a 58.3 kWh battery and up to 440 km (273 miles) of range.

The new EV4 Earth AWD and GT-Line AWD are priced from €48,730 ($55,700) and €51,940 ($59,300), respectively.

While it’s not quite the range-topping GT model, the new EV4 offers a more powerful AWD option in the meantime.

After launching the EV4 GT in Korea earlier this year, Kia said it will go on sale in Europe and other global markets throughout 2026.

The EV4 GT is slightly more powerful than the new AWD option, with a combined 288 hp (215 kW) and 468 Nm of torque. Kia said the added power enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 5.6 seconds.

Electrek’s Take

While Europe gets a new AWD option, those in the US will miss out on the EV4 (fastback and hatch).

Kia delayed the EV4 indefinitely for the US due to the Trump Administration’s auto tariffs and other policy changes.

The EV3, Kia’s popular compact electric SUV, will go on sale in the US by the end of 2026. With an expected starting price of around $35,000, the EV3 will arrive as an affordable, practical all-electric SUV. Kia estimates the EV3 will offer a range of 320 miles in FWD models.