Kia EV3 small SUV: Everything you need to know

The Kia EV3 promises to be the small affordable electric vehicle many buyers have been hoping for.

With compact Seltos-like dimensions (thus smaller than the midsize Sportage), the EV3 should offer reasonable interior space for young families, thanks to the long wheelbase offered by all dedicated EVs in the Hyundai Kia group.

In Australia, the EV3 will take on a growing number of small EVs, including the excellent new Hyundai Kona Electric (which rides on an unrelated petrol-compatible platform), the MG 4, BYD Atto 3, Peugeot E-2008 and Renault Megane E-Tech – among others.

How much will the Kia EV3 cost in Australia?

Pricing for the EV3 has not yet been revealed, but we've been told to expect a number below the existing Kia Niro – although the Niro EV S now starts from a fairly unpalatable $66K, so the EV3 could still prove pricey.

With popular models like the MG 4 and Atto 3 beneath $40K and $50K respectively, Kia would be wise to introduce the EV3 at a similar point.

However, Hyundai's Kona Electric starts from $54K, and although the EV3 will ride on a new platform, its motors and battery packs are likely to be the same units found in the Kona – so that pricing could provide a clue for the new Kia.

For everything else we know about the EV3, continue reading below!

JUMP AHEAD

• May 7: Kia EV3 previewed
• October 2024: EV3 concept revealed

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May 7: Kia EV3 previewed!

The first teaser images of the upcoming Kia EV3 have been released and, so far, there are few surprises.

As expected, the tightly cropped teasers confirm the compact Kia EV3 you'll see in showrooms won't stray far from the look of last year's concept, unveiled in October alongside the EV4 concept.

It's not every day that a futuristic concept design presents an honest look at its future production form, but Kia has set a standard of show cars that very closely preview what's to come.

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Today's trio of teaser images reveal details largely identical to their concept shapes, with only small changes evident – such as the thicker daytime LEDs, now without the little dashes at the end of the front light strip.

The body's razor-sharp folds have also been rounded off for a more street-friendly appearance, and the speckled wheel arch cladding has (sadly) been replaced with conventional unpainted grey items.

Do you like where the EV3 is heading? Let us know in the comments!

What came before: Award-winning EV9, midsize EV5 and the incoming EV4

The massive EV9 concept seemed outlandishly unrealistic when it was unveiled in late 2021, but the early 2023 debut of the big seven-seater that later became Wheels' Best Large Electric SUV confirmed that Kia has gone 'all in' on the concept's styling themes.

Since then, we've seen the EV5 concept evolve into the faithful EV5 production model bound for Australia, and the high-riding EV4 sedan is sure to follow the same pattern.

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The EV3 concept, unveiled in late 2023

October 2023: EV3 concept revealed

The upcoming new 2024 Kia EV3 small electric SUV has been revealed at last. Well, this is a concept, but it's bound to look a lot like this.

As we've now seen with the big new EV9 and mid-sized EV5, Kia isn't leaving much to the imagination when it comes to the transition from show car to car showroom.

In both cases, much of their concept styling translated fairly faithfully to their final forms (say that five times fast), with little changed but for some smoothed edges and more functional lighting.

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When it goes into production next year, the EV3 will join the sedan-like EV4 as Kia's smallest new-generation electric models – which is an odd thing to say, considering the second-generation Niro EV was only unveiled last year.

There's also the Kia Soul EV still available overseas, but this will likely be retired when the EV3 debuts.

As their designs suggest, the EV3 will enter the range as a practical offering with exterior dimensions that belie its interior space, while the EV4 will be targeted at buyers looking for style first, practicality second. (Although, like the EV3, we'd expect its interior space to be surprisingly capacious.)

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Details, where are the details?

Nope. For now, Kia would like you to focus on design.

No technical details for the EV3 have been offered, although we expect both it and the EV4 to be built on the Hyundai Motor Group's new eM architecture.

This will make the EV3 and EV4 unique even to the still unreleased EV5, which will be built on the existing the E-GMP platform that debuted in 2020.

Models built on the eM platform are expected to be more budget-focused – as far as affordability goes in the EV world – with a lower-voltage 400V or 500V electrical system, rather than the fast-charging 800V design found in E-GMP models.

Oh, and no, the EV3 isn't related to the new K3 sedan.

H-AI, how can I help?

The EV3 will also be the first Kia to launch with an AI-powered voice assistant, available in both the car and in a new app called, wait for it... the Kia App.

Among its features will be a new E-Routing function, offering a Tesla-like ability for monitoring battery status to then suggest best routes and nearest chargers as needed.

Attainable sustainable

The EV3 and EV4 will follow the bigger new EV9 and EV5 models into a more sustainable cabin space, with a number of reclaimed materials used throughout.

The brand hasn't yet specified how that will play out in the EV3 and EV4, but the debut of the EV9 came with what Kia calls its 10 "must-have sustainable items", to be applied to all future models.

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"With this action, we guarantee the implementation of sustainability at scale," Kia says.

Switching to recycled plastics and 'bioplastics' – made from sources like vegetable oils, corn extract, sawdust and sugarcane – will see them replace conventional oil-based plastics in dashboards, consoles, pillars, and trim.

Kia will also phase leather out of its new models, to be replaced with Bio Polyurethane. Likewise, carpets will be made from recycled plastic, including fishing nets.

Will the Kia EV3 come to Australia?

Officially, the brand hasn't confirmed anything yet about the production version of the EV3 – but the local arm has its hand up for every EV it can get.

Where the EV3 will be built is unclear, although Kia has confirmed the bigger new EV5 will come from China. That doesn't mean the EV3 will as well, but clearly it could.

As for pricing, don't expect it to start with a 5, let alone a 4. it's unlikely we'll see any electric Kia fall below $50,000 – just about all legacy brands have confirmed they'll leave that space to the Chinese.

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The incoming new Hyundai Kona EV will likely be priced above $60,000 and we'd bet on the EV3 not being far off that point either.

But! With Hyundai recently announcing a new $64,500 entry variant of the big Ioniq 5, we could conceivably see the Kona EV enter below $60,000 – or perhaps right on $60k, with a higher level of standard trim than the entry Ioniq 5.

We'll know for sure in the coming weeks, with a fourth-quarter launch confirmed.

Kia might need to do something about its Niro EV in the meantime, too. A few months before Hyundai brought down the price of its entry-level Ioniq 5, Kia increased Niro EV pricing by $1250 to $66,590 plus on-roads. Awkward.

Watch for more on the EV3 to come in the months ahead.