The EV revolution has happened in stages. First we got microcars and hatchbacks, then we got sedans and large SUVs. Now, automakers are finally filling out their lineups with smaller SUVs. The Kia EV3 wants to slot neatly into that gap.
The subcompact electric crossover aims to combine a gorgeous neo-future aesthetic with genuine on-road practicality. It follows on from the EV6, EV9, and EV5, rounding out the range by offering something smaller and lighter with the same sharp design language.
The Kia EV3 is is still a ways away from landing in the US. It’s confirmed for North America, but isn’t expected until the 2026 model year. However, it’s due to land in the UK market in just a few short months, and that’s given us our best look at the model yet. Let’s dive in.
Crumpet Spec
The EV3 really is a properly compact offering. It comes in at just 169.2 inches long, 72.8 inches wide, and 61.4 inches high. That’s only a hair over 5 feet tall! It will be the smaller complement to Kia’s existing EV lineup, which is already finding plenty of willing customers in the US.
Kia UK will open pre-orders for the EV3 on August 1. It will offer the model in three grades—the Air, GT-Line, and GT-Line S. Pricing won’t be a direct guide for US buyers, as there are grand differences between auto markets across the Atlantic. Still, it’s interesting to see what the Brits will get versus what eventually comes to America.
The Air starts at £32,995 ($42,405 USD) with a 58.3 kWh battery, which is good for 267 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle. For just £3,000 ($3,855 USD) more, though, you can upgrade to the 81.4 kWh battery, which will stretch that to 372 miles. It’s not a lot of extra cash to spend for a lot of extra range. If you’re financing the thing, you might not even notice the difference. The Air models are front-wheel-drive, with a single motor good for 201 horsepower and 209 pound-feet of torque.
As the base model, the Air is still very well equipped. It comes with all the usual collision avoidance and lane-assist tech you’d expect, along with heated seats and steering wheel as standard. Wireless CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, too, as is a 12.3-inch driver display and a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system. Sorry to say, though, button fans, but Kia uses a 5.3-inch touchscreen for the HVAC controls in the EV3. Also, if you like grey cloth upholstery, the Air has just what you need.
From there, we step up to the GT-Line, which starts at £39,495 ($50,770 USD). It’s only available with the 81.4 kWh battery, with a range of up to 347 miles. It adds 19-inch wheels, up from 17-inch on the Air, along with two-tone upholstery, automatic flush door handles, a wireless phone charger, and an ambient lighting system
The GT-Line S takes things one step further, starting at £42,995 ($55,260 USD). Again standard with the long-range battery pack, it too achieves 347 miles of range on the WLTP combined cycle. It adds luxury touches to the EV3, including an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon premium sound system, a front sunroof, heads-up display, and “front premium relaxation seats.” Hopefully not too relaxing. You also get heated outer rear seats and ventilation in the front seats, too. You also get a power tailgate, vehicle-to-load (V2L) functionality, and a 360-degree surround view monitor. Optionally, the GT-Line S can also be fitted with a heat pump for more efficient heating. It’ll set you back a further £900 ($1,156 USD).
Notably, the GT-Line and GT-Line S have the same drivetrain and power output as the Air. And yet, they post 7% lower range figures—most likely due to the wheel and tire package, more than anything else.
In the US, the model is expected to land somewhere under $40,000. It’s expected that only the larger battery option will land on these shores, given the American taste for range. Barring that, though, don’t expect a whole lot of surprises versus what’s landing in Europe later this year. Except, you know, the steering wheel being on the correct side. The full lineup and specifics are yet to be announced, but we’ll keep a close eye out as the EV3 inches closer to its North American launch.
Rise of the Subcompact
The EV market is growing richer every day. If you want an electric sedan or SUV, you’re spoiled for choice. There are also a great many options for tiny city cars if you happen to be in Europe. But thus far, the subcompact SUV segment has been a quiet space waiting for entrants.
Rivian is making a big play in this regard. The R3 SUV stunned the world when it was first revealed earlier this year. It was a well-styled compact that drew heavily from past retro designs, while nonetheless using Rivian’s solid design language to root itself firmly in the near future. The R3X then took things further by adding just a tinge of rally-bred ruggedness.
You ever see a car that just perfectly captures what everybody wants even when they didn't realize it pic.twitter.com/XRKEFTBgxP
— Lewin S. Day (@rainbowdefault) March 7, 2024
The design took the car world by storm, but there was just one problem. It wasn’t ready yet. Rivian is making us wait, likely until 2026 at the earliest, to get our hands on this gorgeous thing.
Could this leave an opening for Kia? True, the EV3 doesn’t have quite the classic design of the Rivian. But it is good looking, it is a chunky little subcompact SUV, and it might just hit the market first. It also has the name of a major automaker behind it. For the average punter on the street, Kia is still a more familiar brand than Rivian.
Ultimately, the two models may end up serving very different markets. Kia is aiming the EV3 at the everyperson. If you want a small, electric SUV, here it is! Meanwhile, Rivian has a rather magical design on its hands with a rorty AWD tri-motor version in the works. It might be something that lands more upmarket. Think a tidy Nissan Maxima versus the sportier charms of the BMW 3 Series in decades past, and you get what I’m saying.
In any case, it’s an exciting time for the EV market. Kia is bringing us more handsome product real soon. They can only be faulted for making us wait for the old colonials to get theirs first.
Image credits: Kia, Rivian
Looks better than the EX30, and the interior is way more functional. +1 for Kia