3 Minutes
The electric hatchback fight in Europe just got a lot sharper. A week after Volkswagen unveiled the updated ID.3 Neo, Kia has responded the old-fashioned way: with a hefty price cut on the EV4, trimming more than $10,000 in some markets.
Kia’s move is hard to miss. The EV4 only recently arrived in Europe as the brand’s first electric hatch, although buyers can also get it in sedan or fastback form. It slots in alongside the smaller EV3 and sits right at the heart of Kia’s push into the affordable EV space, which is becoming one of the most hotly contested corners of the market.
When it first launched, the EV4 was slightly pricier than the outgoing Volkswagen ID.3, but Kia countered with a stronger range figure, more power, and a richer equipment list. That balance may have looked convincing on paper, yet in a segment this sensitive to price, every euro counts.
A sharper price tag for Spain
In Spain, the numbers have changed dramatically. According to Motor.es, Kia is currently offering more than €8,300 off the EV4 hatch. The EV4 Air, which had a starting price of around €38,000, now appears on Kia Spain’s website at €28,540. The Earth Launch Edition has dropped to €30,990.
Both versions use the 58 kWh battery pack and deliver a WLTP range of 410 km, or 255 miles. For buyers who want more distance between charging stops, Kia also offers a larger 81.4 kWh battery version, capable of more than 620 km, or 388 miles, on the WLTP cycle. That gives the EV4 a genuine long-range advantage in the compact electric hatchback class.
The timing is no accident. Volkswagen has just pulled the covers off the new ID.3 Neo, a direct rival to the EV4 and a clear step forward from the model first launched in 2019. The refreshed hatch is offered in Trend, Life, and Style trims, with three electric motor outputs: 125 kW, 140 kW, and 170 kW, equal to 167 hp, 187 hp, and 228 hp.
Volkswagen is also broadening the ID.3 formula with three battery options: 50 kWh, 58 kWh, and 79 kWh. Depending on the setup, WLTP range climbs to 417 km, 494 km, or as much as 630 km. In Germany, pricing starts at €33,995 for the base Trend version, including VAT.
That puts the comparison front and center. In Germany, the Kia EV4 Air is listed at €37,590 and offers up to 440 km of range. So while Kia’s hatch still brings solid numbers to the table, the new ID.3 Neo now looks much more aggressive on price, especially at entry level.
For European buyers, this is exactly the kind of rivalry that keeps the EV market moving. One brand cuts prices. Another sharpens its specs. And suddenly the showroom conversation gets far more interesting.
As for the US, neither car is sold there, and that probably will not change anytime soon. For now, this battle belongs to Europe.
Source: electrek
Comments
atomwave
is this a sustainable move or just a short promo? resale, incentives, battery concerns — lots to consider, feels a bit risky imo
driveline
Whoa, Kia slashed €8k+ in Spain? That's insane! VW just launched the ID.3 Neo, but price cuts like this will shake the whole hatchback scene... curious how long it lasts
Leave a Comment