One sec Other car manufacturers we abandon electric vehicle plans, Kia increases the number of vehicles such as the refreshed EV6, Niro EV, EV9 and now the automaker has the diminutive but bold EV3. And that’s the one we get here in the US
If the specifications provided by Kia prove true and the price is right, Kia could have a hit. Kia says the standard EV3 range will feature a 58.3 kWh battery, while long-range models will employ a larger 81.4 kWh battery, giving a range of 572 miles on the WLTP cycle. Brisk charging should allow you to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 10 minutes. Even better is the price; Kia says the EV3 will be available in the $30,000 to $50,000 range.
Visually, the EV3 gives the impression of a mini EV9 from both the front and rear. However, the EV3 lacks the EV9’s digital-style illuminated front dashboard. However, it is suitably diminutive. At 150 cm high and 14.5 m long, it is almost the same length and height as the Niro EV. It may seem taller because every version of the EV3 will have 19-inch wheels.
Kia also gives customers a real choice of colors other than the usual white, gray and black. Nine exterior colors will be available, including two that Kia says were created specifically for the EV3: Aventurine Green and Terracotta. Kia also seems to be moving in a different direction with the EV3 GT-Line. Kia GT-Line are usually visually sporty. However, the company described the EV3 GT-Line as having a more “rugged and adventurous look.”
The interior design is also familiar, if you’ve seen the EV9, it’s just scaled down. The centerpiece is dual 12.3-inch displays for the driver and infotainment system. Kia lets you know if the driver doesn’t want to employ the screens to control features. Many functions can also be accessed and controlled via the steering wheel.
There’s room for five people and features such as a seat relaxation mode that lets you fold them down, a sliding table that passengers can employ when parking, and a two-tier center console that can store everything from snacks to electronics. The choice of interior colors and materials was also inspired by the elements of the earth; Gray and blue colors will also be available.
If you’re preparing your wallet to pre-order one of these items, leisurely down. The rest of the world will receive the EV3 first; will go on sale in Korea in June and then in Europe later this year. We will have to wait until 2026 for EV3, which is quite frustrating. The electric vehicle market has cooled but still needs more affordable offerings. Let’s hope Kia reads the room and moves this timeline up a bit.
