2025 Kia EV3 First Look
A small electric SUV from Korea that U.S. buyers will have to wait to try out.
Kia
Kia is expanding its electric lineup with a new compact SUV known as the EV3. The small electric vehicle (EV) is a logical bookend to the larger EV9 in Kia's U.S. lineup, but as of publication, the Korean automaker has given no official release date for a rollout in the United States.
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The EV3 Receives Downsized EV9 Looks
The EV3's styling is largely based on an identically named concept car that was shown last year and is pictured here. The EV3 also shares plenty of styling cues with the larger EV9 electric SUV. Up front, that means a smooth fascia with distinctive LED lights running both vertically and horizontally along the hood line. The electric SUV will be offered in nine body colors, including two EV3-exclusive shades: Aventurine Green and Terracotta.
No matter the color, the EV3's bodywork is contrasted by chunky wheel arch accents and a floating roof. Door handles are mounted flush to improve aerodynamics.
The rear of the EV3 features a roof spoiler, sharply raked rear glass, and similar taillights to what you see on the EV9.
With an overall length of about 169 inches, the EV3 is approximately 5 inches shorter than Kia's smallest electric offering in the U.S., the Niro EV.
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The EV3 Provides Relatively Zippy Performance and Fast-Charging Capabilities
The EV3 rides on Kia's Electric Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP. Despite being labeled as an SUV by Kia, the EV3 will be available, at least initially, in front-wheel drive only. Power is provided by a single electric motor that's good for about 201 horsepower and about 208 pound-feet of torque, which is said by Kia to be enough oomph to get the EV3 from zero to 60 mph in roughly 7.5 seconds. The top speed, Kia said, is about 105 mph.
In standard form the EV3 uses a 58.3-kWh battery pack. The long-range version of the electric crossover uses a larger 81.4-kWh battery, which Kia says is good for a total range of about 370 miles on the European WLTP test cycle that's used in markets outside of the U.S. A fast-charging system allows the EV3 to charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 31 minutes.
The EV3 boasts vehicle-to-load charging capabilities, allowing owners to use their electric vehicle as a power source for small refrigerators and coffee machines. The compact crossover is also equipped with Kia's latest regenerative braking system, i-Pedal 3.0.
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A Small Crossover With a Big Screen
Interior highlights of the EV3 include a combination digital gauge display and central infotainment system that spans nearly 30 inches across the dash. Despite all of that digital real estate, the EV3 retains physical steering wheel-mounted buttons to control things such as the infotainment and cruise control.
The EV3 is also among the first Kia vehicles to come equipped with what the company calls its AI Assistant technology, which is meant to act like a human aide for certain vehicle functions.
As you might expect, the EV3 is fitted with the latest driver-assistance systems, including highway driving assist and lane-keeping assist.
Kia
The EV3 Isn't Coming to the U.S., at Least for Now
The Kia EV3 will make its market debut in Korea in July 2024. A European rollout is set to follow during the second half of 2024. As of publication, Kia has not announced a release date for the EV3 in the U.S.
Written by humans.
Edited by humans.
Drew JohnsonI have been a professional automotive enthusiast since 2007, featured on several nationally-recognized sites. I attended Miami University, where I earned a business degree. Car nut at heart.
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