Kia is on a roll. Hot on the heels of the success of the Kia EV6 and EV9, the company is already announcing what could be its cheapest electric vehicle yet — the Kia EV3.
The Kia EV line seems to follow the rule of lower numbers indicating a lower price — and if so, the EV3 will end up being the cheapest electric car Kia has released to date. That, however, thankfully doesn’t mean that the EV3 will be a low-end car — it just means that Kia may be pushing the boundaries on electric car pricing.
Curious about the Kia EV3? Kia has finally officially announced the vehicle. Here’s everything we know about the upcoming car so far.
Kia EV3 design
The Kia EV3 will follow the same overall design language of other Kia electric cars. For starters, it will sport the same boxy look as the new Kia EV9, but in a much smaller body. Kia still markets the car as a “small SUV,” however don’t expect to get the same roominess as the likes of the Kia EV9. There are two rows of seats, but even the second row of seats won’t quite offer the same level of room as some other electric cars.
The EV3 is a four-door vehicle, but it offers rear-hinged backdoors, which means that the front and rear doors will open outwards. That could help make it easier to place things like car seats into the vehicle, however it’s also an indicator of the smaller size.
On the front of the car, you’ll get what is now a typical Kia look, with the slim headlights that curve around the sides of the front of the car and the Kia logo emblazoned on the hood. The trunk is slightly curved again, with tall rear taillights that stretch down the back. It’s good look, and follows Kia’s overall design, making for a more consistent lineup.
The EV3 will measure in at 169 inches long, 73 inches wide, and 61 inches tall. That, of course, is markedly smaller than the EV9, which comes in at 197 inches long, 78 inches wide, and 70 inches tall. This car may be marketed as an SUV, but it’s much smaller than what you might think of in terms of an SUV.
The EV3 will be available in nine colors, however ,only two have been announced — “Aventurine Green” and “Terracotta.”
Kia EV3 interior
The interior of the Kia EV3 offers a bright and modern look, with a dual display panel that stretches along the front of the car and few physical controls to speak of. It looks similar to Kia’s other electric cars — with a large infotainment display next to a large digital instrument display. Kia hasn’t confirmed CarPlay or Android Auto, however, given the fact that its other vehicles offer both, we would expect the EV3 to have them too.
Kia says it’s incorporating a series of recycled materials into the interior of the EV3. For example, the dashboard and door trims are covered in a recycled fabric, while the seats, headliner, armrests, floor mats, and more, feature recycled plastic.
Kia EV3 price and release date
Kia has yet to announce any details about the pricing of the EV3, but we can speculate. If the company follows the trend of lower-numbered cars in the lineup being cheaper, then the EV3 will be its cheapest electric car so far. Hopefully, that will put the base model of the car somewhere in the $30,000 to $35,000 range — though it’s entirely possible that the car will start closer to $40,000. We’ll have to wait and see how much it actually costs when it launches.
The Kia EV3 will first be released in Korea in July of this year. Kia says that will be followed by a European launch in the second half of 2024. Additional markets will come after the European launch, so we’re hoping for a U.S. launch in 2025.
Kia EV3 charging speed and range
Kia says that the EV3 will offer two battery size options, including a standard model that sits in at 58.3 kilowatt-hours, and a long range variant with a 81.4kWh battery. According to the company, the EV3 will get up to 600 kilometers of Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)-estimated range. That translates to around 373 miles, however it’s important to note that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. is usually a little more strict than the WLTP when it comes to range estimates, and we’re expecting the EPA estimate to be closer to 300 miles. That’s for the longest-range variant of the EV3, so the standard model might be closer to 200 miles, which is a little low.
Kia says that the EV3 will be able to charge from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes, which is far slower than Kia’s other vehicles. That likely has to do with the vehicle being built on a 400-volt architecture, which is a little disappointing to see. One of the best things about modern Kia vehicles is how quick they charge, and we were hoping its cars would get faster, not slower.
Kia EV3 performance
The Kia Ev3 won’t match the performance of the more expensive EV9, but it won’t be slow either. According to Kia, the vehicle will accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds — however that’s for the EV3 GT-Line, which is the fastest iteration of the vehicle.
The EV3 seemingly only comes in a single-motor variant, which is a little disappointing. However, it’s part of what will hopefully make the vehicle so cheap.
Kia EV3 tax credit status
Hyundai Motor Group is building a plant in the U.S. to be able to manufacture electric cars here and to offer the federal EV tax credit. This should culminate in the EV9 being built in the U.S. by the end of 2024. However, it’s unclear if the plant will eventually be tooled for the EV3 too. If so, the car may qualify for a federal EV tax credit, which will make it easier for customers to buy the car in the U.S. It’s possible that the EV3 won’t even be sold in the U.S., though, or that it will be imported if it is.
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