Kia EV4 is getting AWD and GT models

Kia is getting serious about injecting more excitement into its upcoming EV4 electric offering. The company confirmed that the sleek electric sedan will get both an all-wheel-drive (AWD) option and a high-performance GT variant.

The standard Kia EV4, which began sales in its home market of Korea earlier in 2025, is almost ready for its North American and Australian production start in the final quarter of this year. Sales in these regions will kick off in the first quarter of 2026. Initially, the EV4 will arrive with a single electric motor powering the front wheels. Buyers will have a choice between two battery pack sizes: a 58.3 kWh unit or a larger 81.4 kWh option.

Regardless of the battery size, the only motor available delivers just over 200 horsepower. Kia does offer a "GT-Line" trim, but this is just an appearance package, with cosmetic tweaks to the bumpers, wheels, and interior, rather than a significant performance upgrade. Apparently, the real punch will come later.

The confirmation of an all-wheel-drive EV4 is a big deal. For electric cars, adding AWD involves placing an additional electric motor on the second axle – in this case, the rear. This, of course, improves traction, especially in slippery conditions, but more importantly, it brings a welcome bump in overall power output. Kia representatives are keeping exact horsepower figures and specific launch timing for the AWD version under wraps for now, only stating it will arrive "in the future" after the initial 2026 launch.

But the planned Kia EV4 GT model is what gets us really excited. Drawing parallels with Kia's existing GT-badged products, like the potent EV6 GT, gives us a good idea of what to expect. The EV6 GT has a dual-motor setup and a 77.4 kWh battery, delivering a substantial 576 horsepower. It's a fair bet that the Kia EV4 GT will be tuned to be a slight step down from its bigger sibling to maintain a sensible hierarchy within Kia's electric car lineup.

There's no doubt that the EV4 GT will still pack a considerable wallop, very likely enough to set its sights on competitors like the Tesla Model 3 Performance, which in its US specification makes 510 horsepower from its dual motors.

Kia seems keen on making its performance EVs engaging to drive. The "Virtual Gear Shift" feature, first seen on the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and later adopted by the 2025 Kia EV6 GT, is a likely candidate for the Kia EV4 GT. This system mimics the feel of an eight-speed paddle-shifted transmission, complete with simulated torque curves and even make-believe redlines for each "gear." It's a nod to enthusiasts who miss some of the traditional sensations of gasoline-powered sports sedans.

Of course, performance and extra motors come at a cost, and that cost is often the range. Kia is targeting an EPA-estimated range of around 330 miles for the larger 81.4 kWh battery in the standard front-wheel-drive EV4 and about 235 miles for the smaller 58.3 kWh pack. Adding all-wheel drive will reduce these figures due to increased weight and energy consumption. A performance-focused GT trim will likely see an even greater reduction in driving range.

Via