Kia EV4 Road Trip Report: Malton to Broadway in the 81.4kWh GT-Line

In this Kia EV4 Road Trip Report, I (York Kia Owner) am sharing my real-world experience of taking my 2025 Kia EV4 GT-Line on a nearly 400-mile round trip from North Yorkshire down to the Cotswolds. Setting off from my home near Malton to visit Broadway, I wanted to see how Kia’s sleek long-range hatchback handled a lengthy cross-country motorway run—and whether I could complete both the 193-mile outbound leg and the return journey without stopping once at a public motorway service station.

Road Trip Overview: North Yorkshire to the Cotswolds

My journey began at my home near Malton in North Yorkshire, heading south for a stay in the picturesque village of Broadway in the Cotswolds.

Before setting off, I charged the EV4 to 100% at home. My outbound route took me down the A64, joining the A1(M) and M1, before cutting across via the A42 and M42. In total, the one-way distance was approximately 193 miles.

Despite being predominantly fast A-road and motorway driving, I completed the entire 193-mile outbound journey without a single recharge stop, pulling up at my hotel in Broadway with a hugely impressive 49% charge still remaining on the battery. After plugging in at the hotel during my stay, I completed the 193-mile return journey back to Yorkshire in the exact same way—driving straight home without needing to stop for a top-up en route.

Planning & Preparation

Even when your car has the range to do a journey in one hit, good preparation removes any lingering stress. I kept my trip planning simple and relied on three essentials:

• Built-in Kia Sat Nav: The EV4 features a panoramic triple-screen dashboard with a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system that automatically displays all compatible charge points along your route should you ever need a backup plan.

   

• Octopus Electroverse App: I carry my Electroverse RFID card and app, which gives me easy access to public chargers and conveniently bills any public charging straight to my home energy account.

   

• Destination Charging Check: Ahead of the trip, I confirmed that my hotel in Broadway had on-site EV charge points available for guests, meaning the car could replenish while parked up overnight.

Charging Experience & Costs

Because the 81.4kWh battery comfortably covered each leg with nearly half a tank to spare, I avoided expensive ultra-rapid motorway chargers altogether.

• Charging Location: Hotel destination charger in Broadway.

• Network & Speed: FOSSE 7kW AC charger.

• Cost & Tariff: Priced at a very reasonable 45p per kWh, topping the battery all the way back up from 49% to 100% cost circa £24. (Prices correct as of October 2026)

That single £24 destination top-up—paired with my initial home charge—was all it took to cover nearly 390 miles of driving.

On the Road: How the Kia EV4 GT-Line Handled the Journey

Rather than hunting for detours, I simply followed the recommended Kia Sat Nav route down the main motorway spine. Behind the wheel, the EV4 was 100% faultless and delivered a genuinely relaxing long-distance drive with zero range anxiety.

The GT-Line specification comes exceptionally well-equipped for long motorway stints, featuring electrically adjustable heated front seats with lumbar support, a two-tone artificial leather cabin, Highway Driving Assist 2.0 (HDA2), and Smart Cruise Control 2.0 with stop-and-go functionality.

My approach to getting the best out of the battery was straightforward: simply drive to the road and weather conditions and obey the speed limits. Doing so allowed the EV4 to beat its official 362-mile WLTP projection on a real-world motorway run.

Verdict & Next Road Trip Plans

Overall, the road trip was an absolutely first-class experience. The combination of the EV4’s aerodynamic hatchback profile, spacious 435-litre boot, and big 81.4kWh battery proved that long-distance UK touring in an EV requires no compromise.

I am thoroughly happy with how the car performed, have no fears whatsoever about tackling similar cross-country journeys, and am already planning an even longer road trip down to Cornwall next year—once again with complete confidence and zero range anxiety.

Vehicle Summary & Specification 

• Make & Model: 2025 Kia EV4 GT-Line 

• Body Style & Exterior: 5-Door Hatchback finished in Grey with GT-Line exterior styling, gloss black wheel arches, privacy glass, automatic flush door handles, and 19-inch GT-Line alloy wheels

• Drivetrain & Power: Front-Wheel Drive, Single 150kW (201 bhp / 295 Nm) Electric Motor with 1-Speed Automatic Transmission (0–62 mph in 7.9 seconds)

• Battery Size: 81.4kWh Long Range pack with 11kW AC and 150kW DC rapid charging capability

• Official WLTP Range vs Real-World Trip Efficiency: Up to 362 miles WLTP (GT-Line spec) | Covered 193 miles using just 51% of the battery (equating to an estimated real-world range of nearly 378 miles).