Kia, the brand that captured the electric vehicle market with its award-winning and best-selling EV6, has revealed its new EV3 model aimed at the lower-priced segment of the market.
The smaller, cheaper EV3 will hit the compact SUV market as a spacious five-seater with “best-in-class battery range.”
Exact pricing is yet to be confirmed, but Kia is aiming for £30,000, which could make it one of the most affordable family-sized electric SUVs in Britain when it lands here in November.
The Kia EV3 production model has been revealed, and it’s very similar to the concept car revealed last year.
The EV3 will join the EV6 and flagship EV9 in Kia’s build-to-suit electric programme, offering compact crossover versatility and style for around £30,000.
The Kia EV3 is the third model in Kia’s ‘EV’ range and uses the same bespoke electric platform and ‘Opposites United’ design ethos as the larger and more expensive EV9.
In fact, the EV3 takes most of its styling and technology features from the huge, around £65,000 premium electric SUV.
It is sculpted, square and has a commanding upright stance, with the Kia ‘Tiger Face’ front and ‘Star Map’ lighting concept.
A lot of emphasis has also been placed on the design to make the car as aerodynamic as possible to bolster range.
As such, the windshield is tilted and slopes dramatically. And 80 percent of the underbody is covered to reduce drag.
Under the body you can choose between two battery sizes: 58.3 kWh or 81.4 kWh.
The base model will come with the standard range 58.3 kWh battery and an electric motor that produces 201 HP. It will go from 0 to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and offer a range of 254 miles.
The 81.4 kWh long-range battery also produces 201 hp, but is a little heavier and slower; 0 to 62 mph in 7.7 seconds. But like it says on the tin, the range is much improved, offering up to 372 miles on a single charge.
A GT-Line has also been announced which will join the ‘Standard Range’ and ‘Long Range’ options
Kia has modeled the EV3 after the EV9, maintaining the very boxy look, the Kia ‘Tiger Face’ front and maximizing aerodynamic dynamics for maximum range performance.
Both cars have ultra-fast charging, with the standard range capable of plugging in up to 102 kW and the long-range one capable of plugging in up to 128 kW.
What does this mean in basic English? Basically, a 10 to 80 percent charge can be done in just half an hour.
Really useful, the EV3 has vehicle-to-charge or bi-directional charging with V2L, V2H and V2G capability, so it can power all types of electronics from the car battery.
It has a mushroom-shaped interior (and we’re not talking about the color)
Kia has created four exclusive paint shades for the EV3: Aventurine Green, Frost Clue, Terracotta and Shale Grey, among nine color combinations in total.
The interior, according to Kia bigwigs, follows a “nature-inspired aesthetic to enhance well-being” with plenty of focus on recycled and inventive materials, some of them grown from mushrooms and natural fiber fabrics.
In total, Kia says there is 28.5kg of recycled material. There’s even a QR code on the dashboard to scan and read about Kia’s sustainability, if you wish.
Technology is a big focus of the EV3, and much of it comes from the EV9. There are some buttons, but it’s mostly minimalist. There are two 12.3-inch screens, as well as a head-up display and ChatGPT voice assistance.
The interior is supposed to be a “living space” with a two-layer center console: it can store a small backpack, and the top is an extendable sliding tray that can function as a work table.
Kia has prioritized sustainability: the cabin uses 28.5kg of recycled materials with reused plastic, fabrics and biodegradable paint, to name just a few materials.
At 4,300mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,560mm high, there is plenty of room to fit five people comfortably. This makes it similar in size to the Volvo EX30 and Smart’s #1.
Kia says the cabin “exudes an inviting livable feel” and you can customize it to your comfort by reclining the seats and extending the center console, which has a stylish sliding tray that doubles as a work table.
The lower console area is large enough to hold food and drink and even a small backpack, there is a 25-litre froot (front boot) and 460 liters of rear cargo space.
The luggage board is adjustable with two levels, with 140mm of playing height, which is ideal for family holidays.
The trunk offers 460 liters of rear cargo space. The luggage board is adjustable with two levels, with 140mm of playing height, which is ideal for family holidays.
There is a 25 liter froot (front trunk) to place the AC charging cable. The EV3 can ultra-fast DC charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 31 minutes
The interior tech is typical Kia EV with minimal buttons (there are still a few on the steering wheel, a couple on the center console and on the door cards) and the same 12.3-inch screen you get in the EV9.
It is joined by a 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen, a 12.3-inch digital display and also a 12.3-inch head-up display. Not to mention the built-in Netflix and Youtube apps – the first Kia to get these streaming options while charging, which Tesla is already known for.
Kia wants the interior to be “tech-rich” and it’s hard to see how they could have included more in there.
It will even come with ChatGPT voice assistance (although we’re not sure anyone will want to use it). And expect a list of safety assist features as long as the driver’s arm.
Full specifications are yet to be confirmed, but there will be a mid-range GT-Line joining later (and likely a GT-Line S as the EV6 trim configuration), along with full pricing and delivery times.
Currently, the MG ZS EV is the cheapest electric SUV you can buy in the UK with a price from £30,495.
If the better-equipped and more stylish EV6 can weaken this Chinese rival, it could become a real winner.
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