Kia EV4 Delayed Indefinitely in U.S., Still Planned for Early 2026 in Canada

Unveiled at the New York Auto Show last April, the all-new 2026 Kia EV4 electric sedan will soon compete with the likes of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai IONIQ 6. In North America, only Canada will get it at first, it turns out.

Indeed, the company has made the decision to delay the launch of the EV4 in the U.S. "until further notice" due to the constantly changing conditions in the electric vehicle market, thus depriving American drivers of a new affordable option.

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Remember, the Trump administration eliminated the $7,500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles on September 30, which complicated matters for Kia against established rivals. The new U.S. tariffs also don't help, as the EV4 is manufactured in South Korea.

Here in Canada, the situation is different, even though the available incentives are not what they used to be. Madison Don, Kia Canada’s public relations and retail marketing manager for Quebec, confirmed to The Car Guide on Friday that “the EV4’s launch is progressing as planned in Canada and will arrive in early 2026.”

The EV4 will join the EV5, a compact electric SUV that will be sold in Canada but not in the U.S. Styling makes it look more like the EV6 crossover, mind you.

The car is based on Hyundai Motor Group’s e-GMP platform but with a 400V system instead of 800V. It will be offered with a choice of two batteries. First, the entry-level Light model will be equipped with a 58.3kWh battery, giving it a Kia-estimated range of 378 km and a power output of 201 horsepower.

Wind and GT-Line models will benefit from an 81.4kWh battery. In front-wheel drive configuration, they will offer an estimated range of 531 km and 482 km, respectively. Output as well as specs for all-wheel drive configurations have yet to be shared.

In addition, the EV4 features a native NACS connector allowing direct access to Tesla Superchargers and will be available with V2L technology so users can power compatible devices such as a laptop, a lamp or small electronic devices.

One more thing: an EV4 Hatchback also exists in other global markets, but it hasn't yet been announced for Canada. Pricing for the EV4 sedan will be revealed closer to launch.