Kia EV3 vs EV4 2026: Which Electric Kia Wins?
All images in this article have been taken from the official Kia Press Office
The Kia EV3 is a compact electric SUV starting from £32,995, built for buyers who want a raised driving position and SUV-style practicality. The Kia EV4 is an electric hatchback from £34,695 (with a four-door Fastback saloon version from £40,895), built for buyers who want a lower, more efficient shape and the UK's longest-range Kia to date at up to 388 miles WLTP. Both share the same 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh batteries and 201bhp motor, so the decision comes down to body style, boot shape, and how far you need to travel between charges, not the underlying technology.
Kia electric car buyers weighing up the EV3 against the EV4 are usually choosing between SUV height and hatchback aerodynamics rather than between good and bad options. Both cars post strong WLTP figures, both qualify for the same benefit-in-kind treatment, and both are available through electric car salary sacrifice, which materially changes the monthly cost equation for employees compared to a personal lease or PCP.
Kia EV3 vs Kia EV4: Full Specification Comparison
The table below sets out the core numbers for each car's standard-range and long-range variants, verified against Kia UK's official specification pages.
| Spec | Kia EV3 (58.3kWh) | Kia EV3 (81.4kWh) | Kia EV4 Hatchback (81.4kWh) | Kia EV4 Fastback (81.4kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body style | Compact SUV | Compact SUV | Hatchback | Saloon (Fastback) |
| Battery | 58.3kWh | 81.4kWh | 81.4kWh | 81.4kWh |
| WLTP range | Up to 270 miles | Up to 375 miles | Up to 388 miles (Air) | Up to 380 miles |
| 0-62mph | 7.5 seconds | 7.7 seconds | 7.5 seconds | 7.9 seconds |
| Boot capacity | 460 litres + 25-litre frunk | 460 litres + 25-litre frunk | 435 litres | 490 litres |
| From price (OTR) | £32,995 | £35,995 | £34,695 | £40,895 |
| Salary sacrifice from (net, illustrative) | £363/month | £[TBC - confirm via quote tool]/month | £[TBC - confirm via quote tool]/month | £497/month |
Prices and specifications are correct as of Kia UK's official pages and press office at the time of writing and are worth reconfirming before publication, as trim and grant pricing can move between quarters.
What's The Difference Between The Kia EV3 and EV4?
The clearest difference is body style. The EV3 sits higher off the ground with a raised driving position, while the EV4 sits lower and wider, with the aerodynamic shape doing the work behind its longer official range. A few other distinctions are worth setting out before the deeper sections below.
The EV3 is offered in one body style only, a five-door compact SUV.
The EV4 is offered in two body styles: a five-door hatchback and a four-door Fastback saloon with a longer rear overhang.
The EV4 hatchback posts a longer WLTP range than the equivalent EV3 on the same 81.4kWh battery, thanks to a lower drag coefficient.
The EV3 carries a small front frunk for cables, which neither EV4 body style offers.
The EV4 Fastback commands a meaningful price premium over both the EV3 and the EV4 hatchback.
Both cars sit on Kia's E-GMP platform and share the same 201bhp front-mounted motor, so performance feels broadly similar from behind the wheel. Where they diverge is cabin height, boot shape, and, for family buyers, ease of loading a pushchair or shopping through a wider SUV tailgate versus a hatchback opening.
Kia EV3 Range, Price, and Practicality
The EV3 is Kia's compact SUV entry point, priced from £32,995 on the road for the standard-range Air with a 58.3kWh battery, rising to £35,995 for the long-range Air with the 81.4kWh pack. GT-Line and GT-Line S trims are offered exclusively with the long-range battery, topping out at £42,995 for the flagship GT-Line S.
Standard-range EV3 (58.3kWh): up to 270 miles WLTP, 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds.
Long-range EV3 (81.4kWh): up to 375 miles WLTP, 0-62mph in 7.7 seconds.
Boot capacity of 460 litres, extending to 1,250 litres with the rear seats folded, plus a 25-litre frunk.
DC rapid charging from 10 to 80% in around 31 minutes on a 128kW charger.
Three trims across the range: Air, GT-Line, and GT-Line S.
The EV3's raised seating position and flat, wide cabin make it a practical everyday SUV, and the frunk gives somewhere to stash charging cables without eating into the main boot. It's the more conventional-looking choice of the two, closer in shape to rivals like the Volvo EX30 and Skoda Elroq than to a traditional hatchback.
Kia EV4 Range, Price, and Practicality
The EV4 is Kia's first electric C-segment hatchback, priced from £34,695 for the Air with the standard-range 58.3kWh battery. The long-range 81.4kWh Air is Kia's longest-range model to date, officially rated at up to 388 miles WLTP. Buyers who prefer a saloon-style boot can instead choose the EV4 Fastback, priced from £40,895 and offered solely with the long-range battery.
Standard-range EV4 hatchback (58.3kWh): up to 273 miles WLTP, 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds.
Long-range EV4 hatchback (81.4kWh): up to 388 miles WLTP on Air trim, dropping to 362 miles on GT-Line and GT-Line S.
EV4 Fastback (81.4kWh, GT-Line and GT-Line S only): up to 380 miles WLTP, 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds.
Boot capacity of 435 litres for the hatchback and 490 litres for the Fastback.
DC rapid charging from 10 to 80% in around 29 to 31 minutes on a 150kW charger.
The EV4's lower roofline and longer wheelbase translate into a noticeably efficient shape, which is why the same battery packs stretch further here than in the EV3. Rear-seat space is generous for a hatchback, and the Fastback's saloon boot opening suits buyers who want a traditional four-door silhouette rather than a hatch tailgate.
Salary Sacrifice Cost: Kia EV3 vs EV4
Both the EV3 and EV4 qualify for the same 4% benefit-in-kind rate for 2026/27, which is one of the lowest tax bands available on any new car in the UK, whether petrol, diesel, or electric. Petrol and diesel models are taxed at up to 37% BiK by comparison, rising to 38% in 2028/29.
Choosing either car through salary sacrifice typically means employees save 20-50% against the cost of a personal lease on the same vehicle, because the sacrifice is taken from gross salary before income tax and National Insurance are applied. The table below sets out a worked cost breakdown for the EV3 Air 58.3kWh and the EV4 GT-Line Fastback 81kWh, showing how the gross monthly sacrifice reduces to a net cost once income tax, National Insurance, and benefit-in-kind are accounted for.
| Cost item | Kia EV3 Air 58.3kWh | Kia EV4 GT-Line Fastback 81kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly salary sacrifice (inc. VAT) | £513 | £717 |
| Employee income tax savings | -£205 | -£287 |
| Employee National Insurance savings | -£10 | -£14 |
| Average benefit-in-kind tax over term | £65 | £81 |
| Net cost / you pay | £363 | £497 |
Figures are illustrative and based on a salary of £60,000, 10,000 miles a year, a 3-year term, and a flat payment profile. The exact net cost will vary by individual tax band, mileage, term, and payment profile, so employees should treat these as a guide and get a personalised quote for their own circumstances.
Higher-rate (40%) taxpayers see the largest proportional income tax saving on the sacrificed amount.
The 4% BiK rate for 2026/27 applies equally to both cars, so the tax treatment doesn't favour one body style over the other.
Insurance, servicing, maintenance, and breakdown cover are included in the single monthly cost on both cars.
The BiK rate is scheduled to rise to 5% in 2027/28 and 7% in 2028/29, a 2 percentage point increase, so ordering earlier in the cycle locks in the lower rate for the contract term.
"Kia has quietly built one of the strongest EV line-ups in the UK. The EV3 and EV4 cover two very different buyers, and salary sacrifice at 4% benefit-in-kind for 2026/27 makes the choice about which car fits your life, not which one you can afford."
Thom Groot, Co-founder and CEO of The Electric Car Scheme
Verdict: Which Kia EV Wins, and For Whom?
Neither car "wins" outright. The Kia EV3 suits buyers who want SUV height, a slightly shorter overall length for tighter parking, and a frunk for cables, and who don't need the absolute longest range Kia offers. The Kia EV4 suits buyers who want the longest WLTP range in Kia's UK line-up, a lower and more aerodynamic driving position, and either a practical hatchback boot or, via the Fastback, a traditional saloon shape.
Family buyers who load a pushchair or shop regularly may find the EV3's wider SUV tailgate easier to live with day to day. Commuters and higher-mileage drivers chasing the longest range between charges are better served by the EV4 hatchback's 388-mile Air variant, while buyers who specifically want a saloon silhouette have no EV3 equivalent and should look straight at the EV4 Fastback. On salary sacrifice, the tax treatment is identical for both, so the decision comes down to which body style and boot shape fit your life, not which one costs less in tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Kia EV3 or EV4 Better?
Neither is objectively better. The EV3 is a compact SUV with a raised driving position and a small frunk, while the EV4 is a hatchback (or Fastback saloon) with a longer official range on the same battery. The right choice depends on whether you prioritise SUV practicality or maximum range and a lower driving position.
What's the Difference Between the Kia EV3 and EV4?
The EV3 is a compact SUV offered in one body style, while the EV4 is offered as either a five-door hatchback or a four-door Fastback saloon. The EV4 posts a longer WLTP range than the EV3 on the equivalent battery, while the EV3 adds a 25-litre frunk that neither EV4 body style has.
How Much Is Each on Salary Sacrifice?
Both cars qualify for the same 4% benefit-in-kind rate for 2026/27, and employees typically save 20-50% compared to a personal lease. The exact monthly cost depends on trim, battery size, and tax band, so it's worth getting a personalised quote for the specific model and term you want.
Which Has the Longer Range?
The Kia EV4 hatchback has the longer range of the two, with the long-range Air trim officially rated at up to 388 miles WLTP. The EV3's long-range version is rated at up to 375 miles, and the EV4 Fastback sits between the two at up to 380 miles.
Can I Get an EV3 or EV4 on Salary Sacrifice Through The Electric Car Scheme?
Availability depends on which models are live on The Electric Car Scheme's quote tool at the time of enquiry, since the range is updated as new vehicles become available. Employees should check current availability and get a personalised quote directly through the platform.
The Kia EV3 and EV4 share the same batteries, the same motor, and the same 4% benefit-in-kind rate for 2026/27, so the decision between them is really about shape rather than substance.
The EV3 offers SUV height, a shorter footprint, and a handy frunk from £32,995. The EV4 offers a longer official range, a lower and more aerodynamic driving position, and a choice of hatchback or Fastback saloon bodies from £34,695. Buyers who want maximum range should lean towards the EV4, while those who want a raised, practical SUV shape should lean towards the EV3.
Either way, salary sacrifice applies the same low tax treatment, so the saving comes from the scheme, not from which Kia you choose.
Ready to compare live pricing on either model? Get an instant quote and see the exact monthly cost for your tax band and mileage.
Are you an employer?
BOOK A DEMOAre you an employee?
SEE AVAILABLE CARSECS GUIDES AND ADVICE
Ready to Go Electric? Your Guides and Tools to a Smooth Switch
-
How the Scheme WorksFind out how salary sacrifice can work for you or your business.
-
The Charge SchemeSave 20-50% on all charging costs through salary sacrifice - at home, the office, or in public..
-
Complete Employer ProtectionAll employers and drivers are protected from day 1.
-
Used Electric CarsDiscover the most affordable way to drive electric. Cars delivered in 14 days.
You might also like…
Last updated: 15/07/2026
Our pricing is based on data collected from The Electric Car Scheme quote tool. All final pricing is inclusive of VAT. All prices above are based on the following lease terms; 10,000 miles pa, 36 months, and are inclusive of Maintenance and Breakdown Cover. The Electric Car Scheme’s terms and conditions apply. All deals are subject to credit approval and availability. All deals are subject to excess mileage and damage charges. Prices are calculated based on the following tax saving assumptions; England & Wales, 40% tax rate. The above prices were calculated using a flat payment profile. The Electric Car Scheme Limited provides services for the administration of your salary sacrifice employee benefits. The Electric Car Scheme Holdings Limited is a member of the BVRLA (10608), is authorised and regulated by the FCA under FRN 968270, is an Appointed Representative of Marshall Management Services Ltd under FRN 667174, and is a credit broker and not a lender or insurance provider.
Copyright and Image Usage: All images used on this website are either licensed for commercial use or used with express permission from the copyright holders, in compliance with UK and EU copyright law. We are committed to respecting intellectual property rights and maintaining full compliance with applicable regulations. If you have any questions or concerns regarding image usage or copyright matters, please contact us at marketing@electriccarscheme.com and we will address them promptly.
