While other automakers have been easing up on EV plans, Kia is doubling down with vehicles like the refreshed the EV6, the Niro EV, the EV9 and now the automaker the small yet spunky EV3. And this is one we will be getting here in the U.S.
If the specs that Kia released hold up and the price is right, Kia could have a hit on its hands. Kia says the EV3 standard range will be fitted with a 58.3 kWh battery while the long range will use a larger 81.4 kWh battery giving it 372 miles of range on the WLTP cycle. Fast charging should allow battery life to go from 10 – 80 percent in just 10 minutes. Even better is the pricing; Kia says the EV3 will come in at the $30,000-$50,000 range.
Visually, the EV3 comes across as a mini EV9 both in the front and rear designs. The EV3 lacks the EV9s digital-style light up front facia, however. It’s properly small though. Coming in at 5.1 feet tall and 14.5 feet long, it’s nearly the same length and height as the Niro EV. It may appear taller as every EV3 trim will have 19-inch wheels.
Kia is also giving customers actual color choices outside of the usual white, gray and black. There’ll be nine exterior color choices, including two that Kia says were created specifically for the EV3: Aventurine Green and Terracotta. Kia also seems to be going a different direction with the EV3 GT-Line. GT-Line Kias are usually visually sporty. The EV3 GT-Line however has been described by the company as having a more “rugged and adventurous appearance.”
The interior design is also familiar if you’ve seen the EV9, it’s just down sized. The centerpiece are the dual 12.3-inch displays for the driver and infotainment system. Kia says if the driver doesn’t want to use the screens for controlling functions. many functions can also be accessed or controlled through the steering wheel.
There’s room for five and features like relaxation mode for the seats that allow them to fold back, a sliding table for passengers to use when parked and a dual level center console that can hold everything from snacks to electronics. Interior colors choices and materials were also inspired by earth elements; gray and blue color choices will also be available.
If you’re getting your wallet ready to preorder one of these things, slow down. The rest of the world will get the EV3 first; it goes on sale in Korea in June and then Europe later this year. We’ll have to wait until 2026 to get the EV3 which is kind of frustrating. The EV market has cooled, but the market still needs more affordable offerings. Here’s to hoping Kia will read the room and move that timeline up a bit.