Kia has been on an EV tear lately, and it’s not stopping with the EV6 or the EV9. It was only a matter of time before the latter’s blocky, attractive design language proliferated elsewhere in the lineup, and next up is the upcoming Kia EV3. Not only that, Kia also just announced the subcompact SUV will indeed make it to the United States market. For a market relatively starved for affordable EVs, this is a big deal!
During a preview event held during April’s Milan Design Week in Italy, we got up close and personal with base and GT-Line EV3 models. They weren’t quite production-ready, but they were very close. To set immediate expectations, this opportunity was design-focused, with very few technical specifications to share.
But the few specs Kia did share are impressive. Historically, the automaker has stayed true with its concept-to-production claims. Should the EV3 deliver on these promises, U.S. buyers will have a very attractive option.
Design
As soon as the EV9 made its debut, its looks were too good not to share. Unsurprisingly, they translate well to the far smaller EV3. With a surprisingly long wheelbase and short overhangs, the spunky new Kia is sized between a subcompact and a compact SUV. In practical terms, it occupies roughly the footprint of a Ford Bronco Sport, just shorter in height.
Kia’s head of global design, Karim Habib, mentioned that the EV3 is a crossover in concept, but he and his team wanted to do something more geometric. Therefore, there are a lot of upright lines that provide visual bulk, and the vertical light fixtures typically seen on much bigger vehicles are applied here. It all works and results in a fun little package that visually appears larger than it is.
The ground clearance isn’t as high as, say, a Subaru Crosstrek, but this is designed to improve aerodynamic flow and consequently, efficiency.
The base and GT-Line models we saw don’t look super different from each other, but an easy way to tell them apart—apart from the badging—are the wheels and the high-gloss body cladding on the GT-Line. The Base also features a metal garnish running along the bottoms of its doors, whereas the GT-Line’s panel is body-color. This distinction might make the Base easier to keep clean.
We’re also not entirely sold on the floating roof design, which feels like a trend from 2015; however, overall, the EV3 is indeed a modern and cool take on the subcompact segment. It’s particularly striking when viewed in profile because you can see how close to the corners designers pushed the wheels and how long the doors truly are.
Interior
As its boxy exterior suggests, the EV3’s cabin is spacious and provides abundant headroom. The flat floors allow for more freedom to spread out, despite Kia stating it raised passenger floor height to accommodate battery and electronics packaging.
The 30-inch driver information cluster and infotainment screen combination from the EV9 reappear in the EV3, as do physical buttons and knobs for volume and climate controls. Powered by the ccNC operating system, it includes an AI voice assistant for enhanced user experience. The front center console is functional and features a sliding table and a storage cubby beneath for bulkier items.
Kia claims that the Vehicle to Load (V2L) capabilities will power small electrical appliances, like a coffee machine or hairdryer, when the car is parked.
There is an optional 12.0-inch head-up display available on certain trims, but no leather will be found in the EV3—a testament to the company’s sustainability goals. Moreover, a hidden QR code on the passenger-side dashboard links to Kia’s sustainability site, detailing eco-friendly materials used in the interior, such as a sugar-cane-based dashboard and recycled materials.
Storage options comprise a tiny front trunk and a reasonably sized rear cargo space with a two-step floor that can be repositioned for extra room or to hide items below. While this feature isn’t revolutionary, it provides practical utility.
The Specs We Do Have
Riding on the versatile Hyundai/Kia E-GMP EV platform, the EV3 features an 81.4-kWh battery, up from the typical 77.4-kWh battery found in its related models. The expected EPA range is around 300 miles. The EV3 will also be the first production car to use Kia’s new i-Pedal 3.0 technology, allowing users to adjust the aggressiveness of regenerative braking during one-pedal driving.
At this moment, the EV3 will compete with models like the Toyota bZ4X and Subaru Solterra; however, the comparison feels off. While the Toyota and Subaru are decent vehicles, they are not the best in the EV market, and Kia has established a reputation for building stellar electric vehicles. The EV3 is set to provide newer technology along with a more stylish design compared to options like the Volkswagen ID4.
Kia has announced a target price range in the U.S. of between $35,000 and $50,000—the latter likely covering an eventual dual-motor GT model, with the GT-Line positioned in between. The EV3 is set to launch in Korea this July, followed by Europe in late 2024, and finally in the U.S. “after ’25.” The goal aims to sell up to 80,000 units in the U.S., alongside transitioning the Niro model to mostly hybrid variants. This timing is likely related to maximizing affordability by qualifying for the full $7,500 tax incentive.
There is a tangible need for affordable small EVs in the current market, which is dominated by expensive alternatives. Kia is poised to expand this segment further with the EV3, following its success with the EV9 as a non-luxury three-row EV.
