2025 Kia EV3

The EV3 is the newest electric vehicle from Kia, the company that brought us the fantastic EV6 and the radical (yet also brilliant) EV9 midsize 3-row SUV. As its lower number suggests, the EV3 slots below the EV6 sizewise, yet still displays the same kind of distinct design language as the EV9. The EV3 differs from its larger stablemates because it comes with a 400-volt architecture, as opposed to the 800-volt setups of the EV6 and EV9. So it won’t charge quite as fast, but that does help to keep the pricing relatively low. Kia is aiming for 300 miles of range.

The Kia EV3 is a completely new model. A single-motor/front-wheel-drive configuration is the first to go on sale, although there’s talk of a dual-motor/all-wheel-drive variant arriving at some point.

We expect pricing for the new Kia EV3 to begin at around $35,000. For reference, the larger 2024 Kia Niro EV starts in the $42,000 region and can run for 243 miles.

From what we’ve gleaned so far, it looks like the single electric motor in the new EV3 generates 201 horsepower and 209 lb-ft of torque — an adequate amount of muscle for a subcompact SUV, although shy of the Volvo EX30’s 268 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. Kia says this EV3 can accelerate from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, more than quick enough for the real world. Kia has a new iPedal 3.0 feature that’s essentially one-pedal driving. The level of brake energy regeneration can bring the EV3 to a complete stop just by stepping off the accelerator.

Plenty of headroom and sustainable materials join a couple of 12.3-inch displays to make an uncluttered yet appealing interior that looks spacious within a subcompact footprint. We’re happy to see a physical volume button. The center console includes a sliding table. A Harman Kardon sound system is offered. Drivers can stream things like Netflix, TikTok, and YouTube while charging (or stationary). The EV3 also has an onboard assistant using artificial intelligence (AI). Color choices are mainly grey or blue. The luggage area behind the rear seats measures 16.2 cubic feet, which is more than a Civic sedan’s trunk space, although less than, say, a Kia Seltos subcompact SUV. There’s also less than a cubic foot of stowage beneath the EV3’s hood.

Styling is an EV3 strong point. Deploying an approach similar to the large EV9, including features like the “Star Map” LED lighting, the EV3 packs a visual punch while remaining eminently practical. Among the paint choices are Aventurine Green, Shale Grey, Terracotta, and Frost Blue. The EV3 is three inches longer than the Volvo EX30, which might give it an edge in interior space.

The EV3 lineup will likely offer a choice of 58.3 and 81.4 kilowatt-hour (kWh) batteries, with the larger battery likely to provide a maximum range well beyond 300 miles. One reason the new EV3 is looking relatively affordable is because it has a 400-volt system instead of the 800-volt setups in the EV6 and EV9. Using DC fast charging, it should take about 31 minutes to take the EV3 from 10% capacity to 80%, which is about 13 minutes slower than the EV6. Two-way charging is available, enabling the EV3 to power a refrigerator during a blackout, for instance.

5-Year/60,000-Mile Warranty

Along with Hyundai, Kia has the best warranties in the industry. New-vehicle coverage is five years or 60,000 miles, whichever happens first. Powertrains are covered for 10 years or 100,000 miles. That goes for EV batteries as well.