Head-to-head
Kia Niro EV vs Kia EV4
At $49,990 the Kia EV4 undercuts the Kia Niro EV by $16,600 (25%) — but does the premium deliver enough of an edge to justify itself? Here's how the two compare on price, range, charging, safety and warranty.
Option A · SUV
Kia Niro EV
Kia's mainstream small electric SUV sits below the EV5 in the range and shares architecture with the Hyundai Kona Electric. Less daring than the EV6 but a solid all-rounder backed by Kia's seven-year warranty.
- From
- $66,590
- Range
- 460 km
- Battery
- 64.8 kWh
Option B · Sedan
Kia EV4
Kia's electric sedan slots beneath the EV6 and is positioned to undercut the Tesla Model 3 in Australia. Bold fastback styling, 7-year warranty, and an under-$50k from-price are the headline pitch.
- From
- $49,990
- Range
- 456 km
- Battery
- 58.3 kWh
Key differences at a glance
The biggest material gaps between the Kia Niro EV and Kia EV4, ranked by how much they're likely to matter day-to-day.
- 1
DC charging · advantage Kia EV4
The Kia EV4 accepts 256 kW more DC peak charging (350 vs 94 kW), meaning shorter road-trip stops.
- 2
Price · advantage Kia EV4
The Kia EV4 undercuts the Kia Niro EV by $16,600 (25%) on starting price.
- 3
Battery · advantage Kia Niro EV
The Kia Niro EV carries a 6.5 kWh larger battery (64.8 vs 58.3 kWh).
Spec for spec
Highlighted cells show the better number in each row.
Where the Kia Niro EV wins
- ▸ 4 km longer WLTP range
Where the Kia EV4 wins
- ▸ Cheaper by $16,600
- ▸ Quicker 0–100 km/h (7.4s vs 7.8s)
- ▸ Faster DC charging peak (350 kW vs 94 kW)
Kia Niro EV
What we like
- ✓ Seven-year vehicle warranty
- ✓ Well-resolved cabin packaging
- ✓ Strong dealer network across Australia
What we don't
- ✕ DC charging peak (94 kW) trails newer rivals
- ✕ Pricing has climbed steadily since launch
- ✕ Less efficient than 800V Hyundai-Kia platforms
Kia EV4
What we like
- ✓ Undercuts Tesla Model 3 from-price
- ✓ Kia's 7-year vehicle warranty
- ✓ Distinctive fastback styling stands out
What we don't
- ✕ Standard Range battery limits highway range
- ✕ AWD not yet offered
- ✕ Newer model — long-term reliability unproven
Frequently asked: Kia Niro EV vs Kia EV4
Quick answers to the questions cross-shoppers most often ask about this pair.
- Which is cheaper, the Kia Niro EV or the Kia EV4?
- The Kia EV4 is the cheaper of the two — it starts at $49,990 versus $66,590 for the Kia Niro EV, a $16,600 difference. Prices shown are manufacturer recommended retail excluding on-road costs.
- Which has the longer driving range?
- The Kia Niro EV has the longer WLTP-claimed range at 460 km, 4 km further than the Kia EV4's 456 km. Real-world range typically lands 10–20% below the WLTP figure depending on speed, terrain, climate and load.
- Which one charges faster on a DC fast charger?
- The Kia EV4 accepts a peak DC charging rate of 350 kW versus 94 kW for the Kia Niro EV. Peak rate only holds for a short window during the charging curve, so real-world 10–80% times often diverge less than the peak numbers suggest. Compatibility with 350 kW chargers depends on the vehicle's onboard architecture, not just the published peak.
- Which is quicker off the line?
- The Kia EV4 does 0–100 km/h in 7.4 seconds — 0.4 s quicker than the Kia Niro EV's 7.8 s. EV acceleration figures hold up at speed better than equivalent petrol cars because electric motors deliver peak torque instantly.
- Is the Kia EV4 better value than the Kia Niro EV?
- On paper the Kia EV4 is $16,600 cheaper, but the Kia Niro EV edges ahead on most other measurable specs. Whether the saving justifies the gap depends on which features matter most to you, and how much weight you give to brand and dealer factors.
Which one should you buy?
The short version, based on where each car pulls ahead.
Choose the
Kia EV4
if…
- ✓ you want to save $16,600 on the sticker
- ✓ you regularly do long road trips (faster DC peak)
- ✓ you match the profile: tesla model 3 cross-shoppers
Verdict reasoning is derived from published specs; brand preference, dealer experience and how a car drives are personal — always take a test drive before deciding.