Is Kia canceling the EV4 in the US?
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After unveiling the EV4, Kia launched the US version just a few months ago at the New York Auto Show. Pictured above, you can see the US side markers and various small changes necessary for our market.
While the design isn’t for everyone, the new Kia is a very roomy sedan with interesting specs like a range of 330 miles with the larger battery. The car was also rumored to start at well under $40,000.
Now we hear from various sources that the Kia EV4 sedan has been put on hold for the US. The official word from Kia is: “Kia’s full range of vehicles offers meaningful value and inspiring performance to customers. However, as market conditions for EVs have changed, the release of the upcoming EV4 electric sedan will be delayed until further notice.”
While the market for more affordable EVs is actually expanding with new models like the 2026 Nissan Leaf and 2027 Chevrolet Bolt, it is a harder market. Especially with the disappearance of the $7500 credit. And especially, the addition of crazy tariffs. These 2 factors combined are just bad news for a new EV built overseas.
This would also explain why we haven’t heard anything about the US version of the even smaller Kia EV3. A model that would have been even cheaper. Although I do have to admit, after seeing it in person in Europe a few weeks ago, I wasn’t that impressed. Still, this would have been a welcome addition to Kia’s US lineup.
At least these models survive around the world, where they will flourish and keep getting better. They will eventually be offered in the US once things change. Let’s hope that by that time, US manufacturers have also made some progress, even without much-needed competition.
The EV4 is like a clueless person who gets all dressed up to go out and impress people, and for some reason they think they look amazing, but they don’t understand why nobody’s impressed, because none of their friends had the honesty to tell them they look freaking ridiculous.
Just strip the technology on the EV6 and you got a $40K EV already built in America.