Small in size but mighty on range and with plenty of personality — that’s the new Kia EV3. Coupled with Kia’s warranties and renowned quality, this latest electric SUV has sparked much interest worldwide. But the best part is that the EV3 is coming to America.
The company has yet to confirm when exactly we’ll be seeing this gem of an EV on our shores. Still, the EV3 might be the ticket to win over American hearts and wallets. While Americans usually gravitate toward larger vehicles, Kia will offer a smaller but stylish and highly capable electric SUV, and most importantly – one that won’t break the bank.
A Small Crossover With Big Ambitions
The EV3 will arrive in North America in late 2025 or early 2026 as a 2026 model-year vehicle. Two trims, the base model and the GT-Line, will be available, with two battery options. The long-range battery pack boasts 313 miles based on the WLTP cycle. That means the EPA number will likely be lower but will remain impressive.
Both versions of the EV3 are powered by a single 201-horsepower electric motor. While not overly powerful, this little crossover gets 209 pound-feet of torque, enough to propel it from a standstill to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. That should be quick enough for everyday errands for most of the buyers.
Kia has hinted it is already working on a high-performance GT version of the EV3. While the details are scarce, rumor has it that the fastest EV3 will come with two electric motors. That potentially means doubling the power and torque outputs and putting the EV3 among some of the quickest electric vehicles on the market.
Affordability And Tax Credits
Kia has not revealed any official pricing information yet, but the estimates put the starting price of the base model at $30,000. If the company can achieve this price point, the EV3 would directly compete with the all-new Chevy Equinox EV.
The new EV3 will initially be manufactured in South Korea, so it won’t qualify for the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. However, the company plans to bring its EV manufacturing to the U.S. by 2025. If that happens and the EV3 leaves an American factory, it will potentially qualify for government incentives. As a result, it will become one of the most affordable electric cars on the market.
Yes, 2025 is quite far away, but the EV3, at least on paper, is shaping up to be an exciting contender in the already busy market. It has it all — design, decent performance, and a great range. These three things feature on every EV buyer’s wish list. Come 2025, the EV3 might just make a big splash in the American market.