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Ford Explorer vs Kia EV4
Selected trimStandard Range 58.3kWhChange trim270 mi · 58.3 kWh · £34,745
At a glance
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on value for money, while the Kia EV4 leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
Choose the Kia EV4 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.8p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia EV4 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueFord
Ford
6.1
Kia
5.6
Motorway RangeKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
5.9
FamilyKia
Ford
6.7
Kia
7.9
ChargingKia
Ford
4.6
Kia
6
Cost Per MileKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
8.4
City Driving
Ford
5.4
Kia
5.7
Too close to call
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV4Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 | £34,745 (better) |
| Official range | 273 miles (better) | 270 miles |
| Boot space | 470 L (better) | 435 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min (better) | 31 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 7.5 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Ford Explorer
Kia EV4
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm
Kia EV44,430mm-38mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Kia EV41,860mm-12mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Kia EV41,485mm-145mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV4Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,430 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm | 1,860 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,485 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m | 10.9 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 528 mm spare | 540 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV4Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L (better) | 435 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L | Not available |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Ford Explorer
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Kia EV4
- At 4,430 mm, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
- 270 mile WLTP range, longer than 90% of hatchback EVs we track.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 8 hatchback EVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Kia EV4 Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.43m-38mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.86m-12mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.49m-145mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.72m-47mm |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L (better) | 435L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1460L | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 916mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m | 10.9m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,908kg | 1,825kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 58.3kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi (better) | 270 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 127kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 | £34,745 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | £30,995 (-£3,750) (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV4Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles (better) | 270 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles | 226 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min (better) | 31 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 127 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | Not available |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh | 58.3 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCMA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV4Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 7.5 sec (better) |
| Power | 140 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 283 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Kia EV4
Standard Range 58.3kWh
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Ford Explorer
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Kia EV4 Standard Range 58.3kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant84%
Child Occupant85%
Vulnerable Road Users77%
Safety Assist78%
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV4Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
Buying options
Get a quote
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia EV4
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV4?
The Kia EV4 is £440 cheaper to buy. The Kia EV4 is cheaper to charge, roughly £144 a year versus £176 for the Ford Explorer, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Kia EV4 comes out roughly £600 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer and 226 miles for the Kia EV4 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV4 goes roughly 42 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-31 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV4?
The two are within 12 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 540 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV4 and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV4?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Ford Explorer and 89% for the Kia EV4. That gives the Kia EV4 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Ford Explorer comparisons
More Kia EV4 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV4 rank among the cheapest EVs to run
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Ford Explorer EV (2024 on): Standard or Extended Range, RWD or AWD, Recalls & What to Pay
A used electric Ford Explorer buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range, RWD and AWD explained, the 2026 battery change, recalls, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Kia EV4 (2025-on): Hatchback vs Fastback, Safety Pack & What to Pay
A used Kia EV4 buyer’s guide: 58.3 vs 81.4 kWh, hatchback vs Fastback, the DriveWise safety pack, real-world range, warranty left, recalls, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .