The Kia EV3 is finally set to launch, and it might just become the top choice for a small-size electric SUV when it hits the market. Although it’s smaller than the Kia EV9, it shares many of the same design elements and features. However, there’s already a popular small-size electric car out there—the Tesla Model Y.
So, how does the Kia EV3 stack up against the Tesla Model Y? And is one actually superior to the other? We decided to compare the Kia EV3 and the Tesla Model Y to find out.
The design of the Kia EV3 is quite different from the Model Y, though both cars boast appealing looks. The EV3 resembles the widely appreciated EV9 but in a more compact form. It features a boxy design with split taillights and Kia’s Tiger Face design at the front. The car has rear-hinged back doors, meaning both front and rear doors open outward. This design can make it easier to install things like car seats but also indicates a smaller vehicle size. The EV3 measures 169 inches in length, 73 inches in width, and 61 inches in height.
In contrast, the Model Y follows Tesla’s minimalistic design approach. If you’ve seen other Tesla cars (excluding the Cybertruck), you’ll recognize the Model Y. It has the familiar curvy roofline and bubble-like front. While it’s a good look, some might argue it’s starting to feel a bit old. The Model Y is larger, measuring 187 inches long, 76 inches wide, and 64 inches high.
Design is subjective, so we’ll call this one a tie.
Winner: Tie
The interiors of the two cars are also quite different. The Kia EV3’s interior aligns with other Kia vehicles, which is a good thing. It has a bright and modern look, featuring a dual display panel that extends across the dashboard. One display is for infotainment, and the other is for instrument monitoring. While Kia hasn’t confirmed support for CarPlay or Android Auto, it’s likely they’ll be included given Kia’s history. The EV3 also includes Kia’s own infotainment system, which is decent but not top-notch. The car has two rows of seats and uses recycled materials throughout its interior.
The Model Y, on the other hand, sticks to Tesla’s minimalistic approach. Its interior is clean with few buttons and controls, as most functions are packed into a large 15-inch display in the center of the dashboard. The Model Y doesn’t support CarPlay or Android Auto but features Tesla’s highly regarded infotainment system.
The Kia EV3 offers more physical controls and expected CarPlay support, while the Model Y boasts a cleaner look and better software. This category is also a tie.
Winner: Tie
The Kia EV3 is intended to be Kia’s budget SUV. It’s smaller, less premium than the EV9, and its performance is slower. While we don’t have full details on all EV3 models, we know that the fastest trim can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 7.5 seconds, according to Kia. That’s not slow, but in the age of super-quick electric vehicles, it does seem less impressive.
This is particularly evident when compared to the Tesla Model Y. The base Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive can accelerate to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds, while the Model Y Performance trims that down to a remarkable 3.5 seconds.
While performance isn’t solely about acceleration, it’s a significant factor, and without having driven the EV3 yet, this is what we have to rely on. This one goes to Tesla.
Winner: Tesla Model Y
Range and charging speed are crucial for affordable electric cars, but we don’t have all the information on the Kia EV3’s range yet. Kia says the EV3 will come with two battery options: a Standard Range 58.3 kilowatt-hour battery and a Long Range 81.4 kWh battery. According to Kia, the EV3 will get up to 600 kilometers (about 373 miles) of range based on the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP). Typically, the WLTP’s range estimates are more generous than those from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. We suspect the U.S. range might be closer to 300 miles for the longest-range model, with the standard model perhaps closer to 200 miles.
The Tesla Model Y offers solid range figures, with the lowest-range Model Y Performance getting 279 miles and the longest-range Model Y Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive reaching 320 miles of EPA-estimated range.
While we don’t have EPA estimates for the EV3 yet, we do have WLTP estimates for the Model Y, which also sit at 600 km for the longest-range model. Without the full range details for the base Kia EV3, this category remains a tie for now. My guess is the base EV3 will have a lower range than the entry-level Model Y, but that’s just speculation.
Winner: Tie
Currently, only one of these vehicles is available in the market. The Kia EV3 has been announced but has yet to be released. When it does roll out, it will first be available in Korea in July and then in Europe in the second half of 2024. If it does get a U.S. release, that likely won’t happen until 2025. We also don’t have any confirmed pricing yet, though it’s expected to be Kia’s cheapest electric car, possibly starting between $30,000 and $35,000, but this is not based on any solid information.
On the other hand, the Model Y is widely available right now. As of this writing, it has a starting price of $44,990, which is higher than the expected price for the EV3.
Tesla wins this round, not because of its price (we don’t know the EV3’s pricing yet) but because it’s currently the only available option.
Winner: Tesla Model Y
The Tesla Model Y is likely the better vehicle overall, although this is largely based on current information and projections. It performs better and is currently the only one available.
That said, the Kia EV3 could change the equation, especially if it comes in at a lower starting price, around $35,000. If this price point is accurate, it might make the comparison between the two vehicles significantly less balanced, given the price difference.