KIA EV4

Is this hatch as talented as Kia's many electric SUVs?

- ILLYA VERPRAET

Remember the e-Golf? It was Volkswagen's first serious mass-produced EV, and even though it was a converted petrol Golf, it was rather good for its time. Since then, compelling traditional hatchbacks in Europe's heartland C-segment have been in short supply. There have been the VW ID 3 and its Cupra Born twin (which we like a lot), but they're more like MPVs, while their Skoda Elroq cousin goes for more of an SUV vibe. The same is true of Renault's Megane and Scenic. The Peugeot e-308 and Vauxhall Astra Electric are true hatchbacks but feel a generation behind.

Meanwhile, Kia has made its way through electric SUVs of various sizes to the traditional hatch with the EV4. It may be traditional in its positioning, but it certainly doesn't look like a Mk7 Golf. With its vertical 'star map' headlights, bold black wheel arches, boomerang rear lights and various unusual slashes, it's sure to divide opinion. I think it's hideous, but others seem to like it, and I've got time for design that doesn't try to please everyone.

Kia really is leaning into the EV4's hatchiness. While most buyers will continue to pick the slightly smaller EV3 SUV or the upcoming, slightly bigger EV5 SUV, it reckons there are still plenty of buyers who really want the lower driving position and enhanced driving dynamics of a hatchback. Amen to that.