The affordable, small EV? // 2027 Kia EV3
This is a Motormouth couple car review of the all-new Kia EV3 compact hatchback.
The Kia EV3 is on display at the New York Auto Show, it’s expected to go on sale late Q3 of this year which is when pricing and trim details will be announced. Kia says this subcompact EV addresses the affordability expectations of customers who are looking to transition into an EV. The EV3 is based on the 400-volt architecture. There are two battery options, a standard 58.3 kWh battery and a long range 81.4 kWh battery. The smaller battery is FWD only and the larger battery FWD and AWD options. The smaller battery has up to 354 km/220 miles and the larger up to 482 km/300 miles. FWD models have 201 horsepower, AWD 262 and the GT 288 horsepower. Kia’s i-Pedal 3.0 system which is one-pedal drive helps drivers to smoothly control the speed of the vehicle using one pedal bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. You can use the paddle shifters on the steering wheel as an alternative to control the regen braking. The EV3 is a 5-passenger vehicle with a bold and futuristic design similar to the EV5 and EV9. It has short overhangs, a low sloping roof, Star Map lighting design up front and at the rear, cube LED projector headlamps, hidden rear door handles and bold wheel designs. Standard 17” wheels, available 19” wheels with the GT model getting high performance all-season tires. Kia is offering many trims for the EV3, up to 6 in Canada offering different prices for different budgets. It has a practical, open and flexible interior that maximizes space. There’s clever storage areas and sustainable materials with trims and upholstery in warm colours and ambient lighting. Kia says, it has used more durable materials in the EV3. The showstopper is the large 30” display screen that the EV3 shares with the EV5 and EV9. It’s made up of three screens, a 12.3” touchscreen and 12.3” driver display and a 5” climate screen. Standard heated front seats, available ventilated front seats, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, 12” head up display, wireless charger, a surround view monitor and multicolour mood lighting. Rear seat passenger seat backs recline up to 40 degrees and the second row offers some good space for a subcompact EV. The EV3 has V2L functionality and is equipped with the North American charging standard charge port which is located on the passenger side. At a DC fast charger, the EV3 smaller battery can charge from 10-80% in about 29 minutes. The larger 81.4 kWh battery 31 minutes.
