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Kia EV3: a promising new electric SUV

May 23, 2024

The new Kia EV3

The Kia EV3 is Kia’s vision of a compact electric SUV that should not only be practical, but also offer driving pleasure. Also of interest: the EV3 is Kia’s first dedicated compact SUV. So there will be no other powertrain in it, as there is in the Niro. It comes as a hybrid, plug-in hybrid and BEV. The Kia EV3 will be marketed exclusively as a BEV. Competitors to the Kia EV3 include the Renault Megane E-Tech electric, Smart #1, Volvo EX30, Cupra Born and Volkswagen ID3.

Two powertrains for Kia EV3

There will be two powertrain versions on the market: a Standard Range and Long Range, both with front-wheel drive. We list the specifications for you:

Kia EV3 Standard Range 2WD FWD – Base

Kia EV3 Long Range 2WD FWD – Base & GT-Line

The powertrain highlighted

Kia’s new compact electric SUV features a front-wheel drive electric powertrain. The EV3 is also based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) with the latest fourth-generation battery technology. The standard model has a battery of 58.3 kWh and that of the EV3 Long Range has a capacity of 81.4 kWh. Both versions are equipped with a 150 kW (204 hp) and 283 Nm electric motor. The maximum speed of the EV3 is 170 km/h.

Kia EV3 with AutoRAI presenter Bart Oostvogels

Vehicle-to-Load

With the EV3, Kia also introduces Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) in the compact, electric SUV segment. This technology can be used to power external devices such as laptops, coolers or coffee makers. And the Digital Key 2.0 allows EV3 drivers to unlock and start their SUV with a smartphone or smartwatch. This digital key is also easy to share with friends and family. Kia has also considered support for Vehicle-to-home (V2H), Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) and Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), also known as two-way charging.

KIA EV3 (2024) has built-in STRIKE PLAN! – WALKAROUND – AutoRAI TV

Also as a Kia EV3 GT

Kia has promised that a sporty GT version of each battery-electric car will appear. So too of the new EV3. The Kia EV3 GT is expected to enter the Dutch market in 2026. The model looks sportier and offers even more performance. More details about this model will be announced by Kia at a later date.

Dimensions Kia EV3

The Kia EV3 is 4.3 meters long, 1.85 meters wide and 1.56 meters high. The wheelbase comes out to 2.68 meters. So the wheelbase is the same as that of the current generation Sportage. Uniquely, the car has a boat shape. So the car is wider in front than at the rear. So the car tapers. The EV3 offers 460 liters of luggage space, but with the rear seats folded down, 1,250 liters are available. There is also a 25-liter frunk.




























Smart aerodynamics

The Kia EV3 has clever aerodynamics, such as Active Air Flaps, a protection plate at the bottom. The interior is made of sustainable materials, such as bio-plastics, PET bottles, fishing nets and organic wool. The front bumper is made of recycled plastic from automotive waste. This also applies to the bumpers on the doors. In the complete car, 28.5 kilograms of recycled plastic were used.

Different colors

The KIa EV3 will be available in nine body colors, four of which are exclusive to this new model: Shale Grey, Aventurine Green, Frost Blue and Terracotta.

Interior Kia EV3

In the interior of the Kia EV3, the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that Kia combines with a 5-inch touchscreen for climate control and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster stands out. The screen extends to the center of the dashboard and allows the front-seat passenger to access features such as entertainment and navigation. The Base version also already features these displays. ChatGPT is also built into the car.

With ironing board

The driver and front passenger are separated by a center console with a sliding table – it looks like an ironing board – and flexible storage space. The lower section can be used to store drinks, snacks and even small backpacks. The car also has multiple adjustable ambient lighting, very comfortable seats and several USB-C chargers. In short: a car completely of today.