Compact, electric Kia EV3 will eventually take on America’s smallest EVs

Compact, electric Kia EV3 will eventually take on America’s smallest EVs


Kia introduced the EV3 compact electric SUV in May. The Korean brand will now have five electric vehicles (EVs) including the Niro EV, EV3, EV5, EV6 and EV9.

The new EV3 is thoroughly modern with a 371-mile range (on the less intensive European WLTP battery test cycle) and an AI assistant to help with driving tasks.

The new EV3 has a squared, stubby body features vertical headlights pushed to the edges of the bumper for a wider-looking stance. The new interpretation of Kia’s Tiger Face grille uses the company’s latest Star Map signature lighting concept also featured on the EV6. The daytime running lights are also arranged vertically, again widening the face of the vehicle.

The profile features a sloping roofline that transitions into a tailgate while the rear has black trim surrounding the taillights with a simple design and more pixelated Star Maps lights. It comes in nine colors including two created specifically for it including Aventurine Green and Terracotta.

The EV3 GT-Line will push the sportiness even further with contrasting lower body trim and an integrated lower bumper. It has more graphics and more black cladding. The rear features a triangle wing configuration on the lower bumper.

At 169 inches in length, it’s a little smaller than the compact Kia Niro, but rides on the current Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) using the company’s fourth-generation battery technology. The EV3 Standard model comes with a 58.3 kWh battery, while the EV3 Long Range has an 81.4 kWh battery.

The motor delivers 201 horsepower and 208 pound-feet of torque, good for a 7.5-second sprint to 62 miles per hour. Kia says the battery can be recharged from 10-80 percent in approximately 31 minutes on a DC fast charger.

The five-passenger interior features a wide, flat armrest with a few buttons while underneath is a storage space big enough for a big purse or small backpack. Kia says the EV3 is made using many sustainable materials like recycled plastics for the panels and fabrics for the seats. The EV3 comes standard with ambient lighting and a small two-tiered luggage compartment with a total of 16.2 cubic feet.

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