Kia is rapidly expanding its EV lineup, the most recent addition to its fully-electric family is the being the EV4. It is offered in hatchback and sedan versions and is aimed primarily towards the European market.

The car should bridge the gap between the smaller EV3 and the larger EV6. Today we got our hands on the Kia EV4 hatchback, equipped with the larger 81.4 kWh battery in the Long Range trim.

It also came with the GT-line trim, which improves the look, but slightly decreases range. Combined with the 19-inch wheels, we had the car with the highest consumption, with EV4 Long Range Air with its 17-inch wheels representing the other end of the spectrum. Going for the sedan version would likely bring another range boost, but this model is not as widely available as the hatchback.

The purpose of today’s test is to determine how efficient the model is in the real world, whereas a dedicated review will be coming shortly, examining all aspects of the car in detail.

After completing severl real-world runs we plug in data to our widget, which uses our own complex algorithm for figuring out the range you can expect in any combination of temperature or speed.

We drove our usual test routes, doing the same track both ways at constant speeds at the same place as with every other car we test. The ambient temperature while testing the Kia EV4 Long Range was 46°F, which certainly isn’t optimal testing weather for an EV. Further improvements can be made by equipping more efficient summer tires and having smaller wheels to build on the range figures presented below.

Even so at our lowest testing speed of 37 mph, the Kia EV4 Long Range performed tremendously. At this lower speed the efficient motors are really counting for someting. Compared to most direct rivals in terms of shape, the EV4 hatchback has a comfortable advantage.

When we sped up to 56 mph, consumption rised noticeably as the shape starts taking its toll on efficiency. The EV4 still performs great for its segment.

At the highest testing speed of 81 mph, the EV4 hatchback continues being among the best in its class. At the highway test it’s only behind more aerodynamic sedans or larger models with bigger batteries. Still, it provides more than sufficient range on a single charge and shows that the EV4 is a great choice for longer trips both on and off the highway.

In the compact electric segment, the Kia EV4 hatchback stands out for its impressive efficiency and driving range. The big 81.4 kWh battery is among the biggest in this class and it delivers a well rounded and highly capable package.

Beyond its range credentials, the EV4 offers a number of appealing features that will be explored in greater detail in our full review. For now, the results from our efficiency testing highlight its ability to cover long distances with ease, making it a practical choice for extended journeys.

Naturally, the shape of the EV4 doesn’t allow it to compete with the very best performers in our range test. The closest rival it loses to is the Renault Scenic E-Tech, which comes with an even larger battery pack and offers similar efficiency. For buyers focused primarily on range in a compact electric hatchback, the Kia EV4 Long Range remains a strong and commendable option that largely delivers on its promise.

Coming back to the widget we mentioned earlier – feel free to give at try!

Chinese automaker GAC has confirmed full Australian pricing and specifications for its electric hatchback Aion UT, with the entry-level Premium grade starting from $31,990 RRP (before on-roads) – adding to the growing number of EVs priced at the lower end of the market.

Order books are open now, and the brand is sweetening the deal with a pre-order drive-away price of $30,990 for the first 600 customers. That price makes it straight away one of the more compelling budget EV propositions to land in Australia.

The Aion UT becomes GAC’s second BEV model in Australia, joining the Aion V, having only arrived on Australian shores in late 2025.

Both the base Premium and higher-spec Luxury models are powered by the same 150kW/210Nm front-mounted electric motor and 60kWh battery pack delivering a WLTP-rated 430km of range, a good number in this segment where some competitors are still trading in the 300km territory.

The Luxury model is priced from $35,990 before on-roads (or drive away if you are one the first 600 to pre-order before April 9), and adds a powered tailgate, panoramic sunroof with electric sunshade, wireless phone charging and a ventilated driver’s seat.

Pre-order buyers of either variant also receive a bonus 10A portable charger and a 22kW wall charger, which adds an extra $1,500 to $2,000 in value to the offer.

GAC is backing the car with its now-standard 8-year unlimited kilometre warranty, while the Magazine Battery 2.0 pack is covered for 8 years/200,000km. Five years of roadside assistance is included, subject to servicing at one of GAC’s 19 dealerships nationally. First deliveries are expected from Q2 2026.

The Aion UT enters at a time of unprecedented uptake of electric vehicles in Australia, with interest only expected to increase with the rise of oil prices.

Battery electric vehicle sales in Australia accounted for nearly 12% of the total market in February 2026, nearly doubling the 5.9% share recorded in the same month last year.

BEV sales in 2026 so far stand around 50% ahead of the same period in 2025. Thanks to their established presence in the Australian EV market, last month marked the first time China overtook Japan as the largest source of new vehicles sold in Australia.

The small electric hatchback segment in particular is heating up, with the likes of the BYD Dolphin, MG 4 and GWM Ora being the established rivals, and with the Aion UT now joining the fray alongside an incoming MG 4 Urban and the Geely EX2, all expected later in 2026.

The benchmark for outright price remains the BYD Atto 1, which holds the title of Australia’s most affordable EV at $23,990 plus on-road costs. The Aion UT isn’t trying to beat that, instead targeting a slightly more premium rung.

A fair comparison is to the range-topping BYD Dolphin Premium, given the Aion UT’s 150kW motor and 430km of range put it a clear step above the base Dolphin’s 70kW motor and 340km range.

On that basis, $30,990 drive-away for the pre-order Premium is a genuinely competitive number. The wall charger inclusion removes one of the more common friction points for first-time EV buyers, and the 430km (WLTP) range figure gives the UT real-world credibility.

The Aion UT appears to be part of an aggressive local growth strategy from GAC Australia. President Kevin Shu has confirmed plans to bring more than 10 models to Australia over the next five years, with ambitions to grow to 100 dealers nationally by 2030.