In just a few years, Kia has established itself as one of the global leaders in electric vehicles, but now it has to consolidate and expand that position with new and even better EVs. It has trademarked all the model nameplates from EV1 to EV9, and it expects to build most of them, but one in particular seems destined for greatness.
*Update: 8-27-2024: The first video reviews have been added, as well as some info on potential U.S. pricing and where it may be built.
*Update 5-23-2024: This post has been updated with specs and information released by Kia following the debut of the new EV3.
*Update 11-04-2025: Added information about the EV3's availability in the United States.
The Kia EV3 is a direct rival to the Volvo EX30 or the electric version of the Alfa Romeo Junior, and it is expected to cost around $35,000 when it lands in the United States. It is about the same size as today’s Kia Niro EV launched way back in 2017, which the EV3 will probably serve as the de facto replacement for once it enters production but it won't immediately replace the electric Niro.
It rides on a cheaper, lower-voltage front-wheel drive version of the Hyundai-Kia E-GMP platform, which runs at 400 volts instead of 800 volts, like in the EV6 and EV9. It will still charge quickly and offer good performance, but not on par with the manufacturer’s bigger electric offerings.
What Does The EV3 Look Like?
The production EV3 looks a lot like the concept. Some details are different, though, and it loses the study's rear-hinged rear doors while adopting a more conventional interior. It has a tall and upright SUV-style body, closer in style to its big brother, the EV9, than the sportier, more hunkered-down EV6.
Its front fascia looks similar to the EV9’s, but it has unique V-shaped headlight clusters that help differentiate it. The prominent wedge-shaped fender flanks stick out from the side, making it look considerably sportier than the Niro EV. The production-spec rear lights follow the shape of the C-pillar like the ones on Volvo SUVs or the Honda CR-V, but with an additional horizontal element that goes onto the hatch.
The Kia EV3 is nearly 3 inches longer than the Volvo EX30, and has a wheelbase that's about 1 inch longer, but its height and width are nearly the same. The slight increase in wheelbase and length give the EV3 a little more knee room for rear passengers.
Compared to the Kia Niro EV, the EV3 is 5 inches shorter but 1 inch wider. It also has roughly the same height, but the Niro EV's wheelbase is about 2 inches longer. The Chevrolet Equinox EV is also slightly larger than the EV3.
Inside, the EV3 concept featured a very cool rear bench that lifts to accommodate taller items like a bicycle. This is akin to the Magic Seats that Honda used to offer in many of its cars, but Kia didn't bring the feature to the production model.
The dashboard retains much of the concept’s minimalist look and its array of two 12.3-inch screens, but the steering wheel is more conventional. It gets more traditional climate vents, not fancy jets like the concept. The infotainment is expected to be an improvement over what Kia offers today, and it will support both over-the-air updates and feature-on-demand services (basically optional features that will be locked if you don’t pay the subscription).
It also has an AI-powered voice assistant that uses ChatGPT to give complex answers to your questions.
How Much Range Will The EV3 Have?
The EV3 will be available with two battery pack sizes: 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh. The latter is big for a vehicle this size (almost as big as the long-range pack in the EV6) and it's rated for up to 375 miles on the WLTP cycle, which should translate into about 300 miles on one charge on the EPA cycle. The smaller pack is rated for 270 miles on a full charge on the WLTP cycle.
The EV3 runs at 400 volts, so it won't be able to charge as quickly as 800-volt E-GMP cars. There are plenty of EVs on the market that run on 400 volts and can charge at 250 kW, but the EV3 is limited to 128 kW of charging power, enough for a 10 to 80% charging time of 31 minutes. It also features vehicle-to-load bidirectional charging capability.
How Much Power Does The EV3 Have?
Kia has so far only released a 150 kW (202 hp) single-motor, front-wheel drive version, which can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. More versions are expected to follow, but dual-motor all-wheel-drive variants haven’t been confirmed. The top model, likely named EV3 GT, could have over 300 hp combined from its two motors.
What is the driving experience of the EV3?
After we drove the EV3 late last year in Seoul, South Korea, we billed it as an affordable electric breakthrough. With 300 miles of range, pleasant styling and a spacious interior, it's a solid commuter.
When is the EV3 Coming To The United States?
Gallery: Kia EV3 Live Impressions
The production Kia EV3 was revealed on May 23, and its availability has been confirmed in the U.S. and Europe. Production has already began at one of Kia’s plants in South Korea, as well as in Žilina, Slovakia.
Rumor has it that Mexico will build the EV3 for the American market, but that's not set in stone. In fact, Kia has been very cagey about the EV3's launch stateside, offering little to no details about it. In fact, its fate in North America is now murkier than ever, after Kia officially pulled the plug on the larger EV4 sedan. Asked about the EV3's U.S. launch, the automaker's spokesperson said there is nothing to announce at this moment.
Earlier rumors suggested the affordable electric crossover would debut in North America toward the end of 2025 or at the beginning of 2026, but Kia has neither confirmed nor denied the information.
