The Kia EV9 was already a pretty affordable electric SUV, but now Kia is pushing boundaries even further. After teasing the Kia EV3 last year, they’ve made it official.
The EV3 is designed to be a smaller and cheaper version of the EV9, similar to how Rivian released the R2 after the R1S. While it doesn’t boast the same level of advanced technology as the EV9, it’s still unmistakably a modern Kia and very much looks like a smaller sibling of the larger SUV. The exterior features the same split taillights and a similar Tiger Face front design as the EV9, but the EV3 is notably smaller. The car will be offered in nine different finishes, although only “Aventurine Green” and “Terracotta” have been announced so far.
Inside the EV3, you’ll find a lot of similarities with the EV9. Unlike the three-row EV9, the EV3 has two rows of seating, accommodating up to five people, which is perfect for those who don’t need a large family vehicle. The interior feels open and airy, thanks to a large sunroof and recycled fabric covering the door and dashboard. Up front, you’ll find a dual-display setup typical in Kia’s other electric vehicles, featuring an infotainment display and a digital instrument cluster. While Kia hasn’t confirmed the inclusion of CarPlay or Android Auto, their track record suggests these features will likely be part of the package.
As for the electric aspects of the EV3, it will be built on the E-GMP platform, the same one used for the EV6 and EV9. At launch, there will be two battery options: a standard range battery with 58.3 kilowatt-hours and a long range battery with 81.4 kilowatt-hours. Kia claims the long range battery can deliver up to 600 kilometers, or approximately 373 miles, based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). However, keep in mind that the WLTP usually provides more generous range estimates compared to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), so expect a range closer to 300 miles.
The quickest version of the EV3, known as the Kia EV3 GT-Line, can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 7.5 seconds. While this makes it less powerful than the EV9, it’s by no means sluggish.
There are still some unknowns about the EV3, such as its price and exact availability in the U.S. Kia plans to launch it first in Korea in July, followed by a release in Europe later in the year. Therefore, it may not arrive in the U.S. until 2025. When it does finally land stateside, it has the potential to become the go-to budget electric SUV.