The Kia EV4 Shortlisted for 2026 Car of the Year - CleanTechnica

The Kia EV4 has been shortlisted as one of seven finalists for the 2026 Car of the Year (COTY) award, marking Kia’s fifth consecutive year as a finalist and its eighth overall COTY shortlist—an unprecedented achievement for a Korean brand. Selected by a jury of 60 experts from 23 countries, the EV4 continues Kia’s strong presence in Europe’s automotive scene, following previous finalists and winners such as the EV6, Niro, EV9, and EV3. This consistent recognition underscores Kia’s evolution into a serious contender in Europe’s prestigious automotive competitions. Produced in Kia’s Slovakian plant on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV4 is the brand’s first all-electric model manufactured in Europe and is designed specifically for European drivers. It offers two body types—a hatchback and a fastback—with ranges up to 633 kilometers, low drag coefficients, and advanced battery options that support rapid charging. European engineers have optimized the chassis