2027
Kia EV3

Kia says the EV3 was designed with the same “Opposites United” philosophy as the EV9, and it’s easy to see the family resemblance through the slim front and rear lights, creased fenders and beltline, and contrasting trim. Despite its relatively small size, the big, bold 19-inch wheels give it an illusion of height. As with other Kia models, an optional GT-Line trim will give the EV3 a more aggressive, sportier look.

One benefit of vehicles designed to be electric from the ground up, as opposed to models originally designed around gas powertrains, is that they tend to have extremely roomy interiors. That’s thanks to the positioning of the battery and motors, and the lack of a gas engine and conventional transmission. Like other electric models from Kia, including the EV6, there’s an open storage space between the front seats, including a slide-out tray. The rear seats can recline. Kia says there’s 26.1 cubic feet of storage with the second row folded down, 26.1 cubic feet behind the rear seat, and just under a cubic foot of storage space in the “frunk” under the hood.

Topped by two 12.3-inch screens, the dashboard and controls appear very similar to those of the EV9 SUV. We weren’t fans of that model’s overly complicated design choices, including the twist-action gear selector with built-in start button, dashboard-embedded infotainment shortcut buttons, and climate information hidden behind the steering wheel rim.

Other features include adjustable lighting, recycled fabric and plastic trim, a smartphone-as-key feature, and an infotainment system that’s designed to entertain occupants with downloadable apps and games while the car is charging. Drivers can customize the infotainment system display with themes from Disney, Marvel, National Geographic, Pixar, Star Wars, FIFA, or the NBA. Unlike the Chevrolet Equinox EV, the EV3 gets standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Kia says the EV3 will come in front- and all-wheel-drive variants. The standard model, called Light, gets a single 150-kW permanent-magnet synchronous motor driving the front wheels and a 58.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery, producing 201 hp and giving the EV3 a 221-mile range between charges.

All other trims are equipped with an 81.4-kWh battery. The AWD Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT models use a permanent magnet synchronous motor up front and an induction motor in the rear. In the Wind, Land, and GT-Line, the motors total 195 kW and generate 261 hp combined, while in the GT, the motors produce 215 kW and 288 hp combined. The AWD models can travel up to 280 miles on a full charge.

The FWD Wind and Land use the same 150-kW front motor as the Light, but the larger 81.4-kWh battery allows them to travel up to 321 miles. One-pedal driving is possible with adjustable regenerative braking technology, and all EV3s are electronically limited to 106 mph.

Kia claims the GT can go from 0-to-60 mph in 5.4 seconds, while the other AWD models take 6.3 seconds. The front-drive Light takes 7.1 seconds while the Wind and Land take between 7.3 and 7.5 seconds, depending on tire size.

The EV3 has a NACS (North American Charging Standard) charging port on the front passenger side. According to the automaker, both standard and long-range versions can be charged from 10 percent to 80 percent at a public DC fast charger in about half an hour. This is slower than we are used to seeing with other Kia models, which take about 20 minutes under ideal conditions, and it’s because the EV3 is built on a 400-volt version of the E-GMP platform that underpins other Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis EVs. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, Kia EV6 and EV9, and Genesis GV60 rely on a faster-charging 800-volt architecture. Still, Kia says the EV3 can use 350-kW fast chargers, and drivers can set the vehicle up for plug-and-charge capability. All versions have an 11.5 kW on-board charger.

The EV3 also features V2L—or vehicle-to-load—technology, which allows owners to power small appliances using the car’s battery at campsites or during power outages. When plugged into a compatible Wallbox charger, it also offers V2H (vehicle-to-home) tech, which can send power back to the home during power outages or peak energy usage times.

Standard features include automatic emergency braking that works in intersections and while turning, reverse automatic emergency braking, lane centering assistance, adaptive cruise control, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2 active driving assistance system.