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Kia Targets Sub-€25K Electric City Car as EV Market Heats Up

As the auto industry accelerates toward electrification, Kia is not just keeping pace — it’s setting a course for an ambitious electric future. By the end of this decade, the South Korean automaker is poised to introduce a fresh generation of electric vehicles, software-defined architectures, and even a return to simplicity in design. The company’s roadmap blends affordability, intelligence, and versatility — and it’s aimed squarely at both developed EV markets and underserved global regions.

A New Electric Chapter: From Flagship to Entry-Level

Kia’s current electric lineup — the EV3, EV6, and EV9 — will soon be joined by the EV4 and EV5 this year, with the EV2 landing in 2026. But the real story lies just beyond the horizon. The brand is working on a new entry-level EV, priced below €25,000, aimed at consumers looking for affordable electric mobility. This sub-EV2 model could mark a pivotal moment for the EV market, offering a real alternative to internal combustion without sacrificing quality or style.

Interestingly, Kia’s CEO Ho Sung Song sees this model not as an afterthought, but as an integral part of the company’s future. Although the venerable Picanto city car remains strong in sales — especially after its 2023 facelift — its eventual successor will almost certainly be electric. Whether the two will overlap in showrooms depends on evolving CO₂ regulations in Europe.

The inspiration behind this new breed of Kia? Simplicity. Design boss Karim Habib cites Japanese retailer Muji as a creative muse — a brand that values utility, minimalism, and adaptability. Kia is exploring how to build vehicles that are stripped to their essential form, but remain highly customizable. That mindset could be the key to delivering desirable, affordable EVs to a global market.

Software-Defined Vehicles: The EV Brain Revolution

But Kia’s ambitions stretch well beyond creating more EVs — the company is engineering smarter ones.

Kia is embracing software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, a systems-focused evolution that replaces fragmented electronic subsystems with centralized computing. This unified brain allows for streamlined updates, reduced development costs, and the flexibility to offer personalized digital experiences across the model range.

Development of the SDV platform has been underway for over three years, and the first tangible sign of progress may come as early as next year in the form of the SDV Pace Car concept — a glimpse at the brand’s digital future. The next-gen EV6 and EV9, due before 2030, will be among the first models to adopt the 800V SDV architecture.

“Because we are decoupling hardware and software, we can be more flexible making different kinds of vehicles based on the same platform,” said Song. It’s a move that signals not just smarter cars, but faster and cheaper development cycles — a win for both Kia and its customers.

Beyond the Car: Vans, Pick-Ups, and Range-Extenders

Kia’s electrification strategy isn’t confined to passenger vehicles. The brand is entering new territory with a dedicated PBV (Platform Beyond Vehicle) lineup — think electric vans and pickup trucks. The PV5 will lead the charge, followed by the larger PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029.

To support larger, heavier vehicles, Kia is also exploring extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), or range-extenders — a hybridized system that uses a combustion engine to recharge the battery when needed. These are particularly promising in markets where pure EVs remain impractical due to infrastructure limitations.

“The final destination in Europe is EVs,” said Song, “but if we look at worldwide demand we should have alternative powertrains, like hybrids, plug-in hybrids and EREVs.” This reflects Kia’s pragmatic approach — leading with EVs where possible, while offering flexibility where needed.

Design Renaissance: Simplicity Meets Innovation

Despite rapid innovation, Kia isn’t forgetting the emotional appeal of car design. Song acknowledged that while the current design philosophy has served the brand well for five years, it’s time to evolve. Habib confirmed that fresh concept cars are coming, and while details remain under wraps, the emphasis is clear: stay bold, stay fresh.

Kia is also investing in in-vehicle AI assistants — developed in partnership with tech giants like Samsung — to offer users more intuitive and connected experiences. Customers increasingly expect their vehicles to mirror the digital ecosystems they live in, and Kia intends to meet them there.

The Road Ahead

Kia’s vision is both grounded and forward-looking. It recognizes the real-world complexity of a global market while embracing a fully electric, software-integrated future. Whether it’s delivering an EV city car under €25,000, pioneering intelligent vehicle architecture, or expanding into commercial electrification, the brand is clearly not content with standing still.

As we look toward 2030, it’s clear that Kia doesn’t just want to be part of the EV era — it wants to define it.

Source: Kia

EV

2026 Kia EV4: Stylish Electric Hatch and Saloon Set to Shake Up the Segment

Kia is gearing up to expand its electric ambitions with the arrival of the EV4, a striking new model that brings a fresh edge to the compact EV market. Closely resembling the concept that turned heads in 2023, the production EV4 remains faithful in design and shares its architecture with the recently unveiled EV3 hatchback.

Offered in both hatchback and saloon body styles, the EV4 covers a broad spectrum of buyers. The hatchback version is roughly the same size as the Hyundai Kona Electric, while the saloon stretches out to a length that surpasses the Tesla Model 3, thanks to its extended rear overhang.

In Europe, the EV4 will primarily be sold as a hatchback, where it is poised to take on rivals like the Citroën ë-C4, Volkswagen ID.3, and Volvo EX40. With sharp styling, solid range figures, and a tech-laden cabin, Kia is clearly aiming for a strong foothold in this competitive segment.

Both body styles come with a single front-mounted motor producing 201 hp, good for a 0–62mph sprint in the mid-7-second range, depending on battery and trim level. Performance enthusiasts won’t be left out, either—Kia has confirmed that all of its EVs are in line for hot GT variants, so expect a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive GT version of the EV4 with enough punch to rival the MG 4 EV XPower.

As for range, the entry-level EV4 is fitted with a 58.3kWh battery, which offers up to 273 miles on a single charge in hatchback form. Step up to the 81.4kWh battery, and the hatchback’s range extends to an impressive 388 miles. Charging is swift, too: a 10–80% top-up takes at least 29 minutes for the smaller pack and 31 minutes for the larger.

Inside, the EV4 shares its high-tech interior with the EV3, boasting a sleek 30-inch dashboard screen. This includes two 12.3-inch displays—one for infotainment, one for the instrument cluster—split by a 5.3-inch climate control panel. Notably, the EV4 will be the first Kia to support in-car entertainment apps like Netflix, Disney+, and YouTube, hinting at a more leisure-oriented EV experience.

While full pricing details for the EV4 saloon are still under wraps, it’s expected to launch in the UK after the hatchback. That’s due to a difference in manufacturing: the hatch will be built in Slovakia, while the saloon will be produced in Korea, Kia’s home market.

With its combination of sleek design, generous range, and tech-rich interior, the Kia EV4 is shaping up to be a serious player in the electric C-segment. Watch this space.

Source: KIA

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2026 Kia EV4: Stylish Electric Hatch and Saloon Set to Shake Up the Segment
News

Kia Walks a Tightrope in Europe’s Shifting Auto Market

Selling cars in Europe today is no longer just about satisfying consumer demand—it’s about navigating a complex web of regulatory requirements, economic pressures, and shifting market preferences. And no automaker illustrates this balancing act better than Kia.

Despite the European Union’s aggressive push toward electrification, combustion-engine vehicles still dominate the roads. According to data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for just 15.3% of new car sales in the EU during the first four months of the year. Yet the regulatory noose is tightening: the EU is pressing ahead with stricter CO₂ emissions limits and has mandated that all new cars sold from 2035 onward must be electric.

Caught in this tug-of-war is Kia, which is carefully trying to strike the right balance. “If we rely too much on combustion cars, we risk not reaching the CO₂ targets and having to pay fines. If we push EV sales too much, we end up denting our profit margins,” said Carlos Lahoz, Vice President of Sales for Kia Europe, in an interview with Automotive News Europe.

The dilemma isn’t unique to Kia. Across the continent, automakers are grappling with a similar paradox. Traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles are still more profitable and in higher demand, but EVs are essential to meet emissions targets and avoid hefty fines. Volkswagen and Renault have both voiced fears that failing to comply with new EU emissions standards could cost them billions of euros as early as 2025.

The EU has somewhat eased the pressure by allowing carmakers to average their emissions over the 2025–2027 period rather than hitting targets in 2025 alone. Still, the road ahead is steep. Stellantis’ chairman recently revealed that over a quarter of engineers’ working hours are now consumed by regulatory compliance tasks, much of it related to emissions standards.

At the heart of the problem is a lack of profitability in the EV sector. Lahoz acknowledged that battery costs remain a major hurdle, preventing electric vehicles from achieving cost parity with their gas-powered counterparts. As a result, Kia must use profits from ICE models to fund the transition to electric—a strategy echoed by many automakers across Europe.

Nonetheless, Kia is proving that strategic flexibility can pay off. The South Korean brand is enjoying a strong year in Europe, capturing a 4.1% market share in the EU, EFTA, and UK combined during the first four months of 2025. That puts it ahead of several well-established rivals, including Ford (3.4%), Opel/Vauxhall (2.9%), Citroën (2.8%), Fiat (2.3%), and SEAT (1.7%). Impressively, it even surpassed its larger affiliate Hyundai (3.9%).

For now, Kia’s strategy hinges on maintaining a careful equilibrium: continuing to sell ICE vehicles to support short-term profitability, while steadily growing its EV lineup to ensure long-term survival in an increasingly green automotive landscape. Whether that tightrope walk can remain sustainable as regulations tighten and competition from low-cost EV manufacturers, particularly from China, intensifies remains to be seen.

But one thing is clear—Europe’s automotive future is electric, and Kia, like the rest of the industry, must evolve without stumbling.

Source: Automotive News Europe