AUTO

Introducing the Kia EV3: A Compact Electric SUV with Global Impact

May 23, 2024

Kia EV3 offers up to 600 km (372.8 mi) range, alleviating range anxiety.
Ultra-fast charging: 10 to 80% in 31 minutes.
Global rollout begins in Korea, then Europe, showing commitment to worldwide accessibility.

Kia has revealed the full details (video) of the latest model, the Kia EV3, an all-electric compact SUV. This represents a significant advancement for Kia as it pushes the boundaries of design, technology, and user-friendliness in the compact SUV EV category. The EV3 is tailored to tackle common worries about going electric, like range anxiety and charging convenience, blending the best features from Kia’s larger electric SUV, the Kia EV9, with the nimbleness and functionality perfect for city and suburban life. The EV3 makes electric driving appealing and accessible to everyone.

“By providing groundbreaking design, an industry-leading electric drivetrain, and practical, innovative lifestyle solutions, the EV3 aims to extend Kia’s exceptional EV SUV experience to a wider audience,” stated Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia. “With a WLTP driving range of up to 600 km and fast-charging capability, the EV3 addresses common concerns about electric vehicles. It will reassure those who may have been hesitant to make the switch to electric mobility and will lead the mass adoption of EVs.”

Bold, Playful, and Packed with Personality

At the core of the Kia EV3’s striking design is the brand’s ‘Opposites United’ philosophy, which explores the creative tension between the natural and the modern to achieve a balanced and dynamic aesthetic. This philosophy deeply influences the EV3, enhancing its emotional resonance and ambiance by merging dynamic aesthetics with purposeful functionality.

“The EV3 embodies our design philosophy perfectly – a combination of playful design combined with thoughtful functionality. Though compact, the inspiring exterior envelops an open interior space that emphasizes restorative relaxation for every journey,” mentioned Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design. “Its future-facing aesthetic is further emboldened by the choice of daring colors; inside, the spacious cabin and the incorporation of new organic materials express a youthful sense of energy and playfulness.”

The EV3 features a commanding presence. Its front features vertical headlamps at the outer edges of a smooth facial surface, creating a wide, confident stance. This, coupled with a powerful body design and distinctive graphics, forms a cohesive and muscular appearance.

Kia has evolved its iconic Tiger Face design for the EV3, incorporating the latest Star Map lighting concept with vertically arranged Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) that enhance its bold character.

From the side, the EV3 exudes strength and mobility. The vehicle’s elongated, sloping roofline blends into a hatchback-style tailgate, highlighting the sophisticated body design. The dynamic profile and spacious cabin are further defined by unique volume interplay and striking graphics.

At the rear, the EV3’s advanced design language and deliberate stance are highlighted. A thick black trim connects the SUV’s C-pillar with the roofline, stepping up the vehicle’s structural integrity. A minimalist, geometric tail lamp design integrates with the rear glass, surrounding a futuristic, broad, and sleek tailgate inspired by the front Tiger Face Star Map motif.

Kia presents the EV3 in nine distinctive colors, including two exclusive shades: Aventurine Green and Terracotta.

The EV3 GT-line features a more rugged and adventurous look. Its front features contrasting lower body trim and an integrated lower bumper for a sportier, refined appearance. Bold vertical and horizontal graphics contrast with extensive black cladding. This assertive style continues to the rear, where a distinctive triangle wing configuration on the lower bumper adds to the aggressive flair.

From Ambient Lighting to Clever Storage Solutions

The Kia EV3 provides a spacious and functional cabin designed to comfortably seat five. This cabin is not just a space for travel but a pleasing environment meant to be enjoyed both during drives and while charging.

Central to its interior design is an elegantly crafted center console featuring a sliding table and sufficient storage space. This console is thoughtfully designed to hold beverages, snacks, and smaller items like backpacks, while the sliding table offers a convenient place for personal electronic devices when the car is parked.

The cabin ambiance is further enhanced by multi-adjustable ambient lighting and ultra-comfortable seats equipped with a fold-back relaxation mode, designed to maximize comfort during stops. When it comes to storage, the Kia EV3 features a 25-liter frunk, which is slightly smaller than that of the Hyundai Kona Electric but larger than that of the Ioniq 5 N. Additionally, it offers a class-leading 460-liter rear cargo area, surpassing that of the Volvo XC40 Recharge. This is further complemented by an adjustable two-tier luggage board. This feature adds over 140 mm (5.5 in) of height flexibility, perfect for accommodating various activities like family outings and camping trips.

The EV3 also features a nearly 30-inch widescreen display that spans across the dashboard, incorporating a 12.3-inch cluster and a five-inch air-conditioning panel alongside another 12.3-inch AVN display. This setup ensures seamless control and clear, intuitive displays of vehicle functions, accessible via touch-sensitive controls integrated into the steering wheel and a neat row of buttons below the central screen for media and system settings.

Interior customization options include a palette inspired by natural elements – Air, Earth, and Water – with colors like Subtle Grey, Warm Grey, and Blue. An exclusive Onyx Black is available for the GT-line trim. True to Kia’s commitment to sustainability, the EV3’s interior utilizes recycled materials extensively throughout its cabin, including PET plastics, one of the most recyclable materials available, featured in the seats, door armrests, and more, reinforcing the brand’s dedication to environmental consciousness.

Longer Range, Faster Charging, and Packed with Tech!

The Kia EV3, with its dimensions of 4,300 mm (169.3 in) in length, 1,850 mm (72.8 in) in width, and 1,560 mm (61.4 in) in height, along with a 2,680 mm (105.5 in) wheelbase, demonstrates a sophisticated design optimized for performance. The EV3 is smaller than the Volkswagen ID.4, the Kia will gain advantages from its newer technology and stylish design. It is powered by a modern front-wheel drive electric powertrain that rests on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), featuring Kia’s advanced fourth-generation battery technology. The standard configuration of the EV3 comes with a 58.3 kWh battery, while the Long Range version features a larger 81.4 kWh battery.

Both versions are equipped with a 150 kW / 283 Nm (201 hp / 208 lb-ft) electric motor that delivers an impressive acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds, and can reach speeds up to 170 km/h.

“The Kia EV3 has been designed and engineered to meet the needs of customers who want a car that matches their sustainability values but do not want to compromise their practical everyday needs,” highlighted Spencer Cho, Vice President and Head of Global Business Planning at Kia. “It provides one of the best living and luggage sizes in its class, while our flexible E-GMP architecture delivers a best-in-class AER driving range. With the EV3, Kia has redefined the EV SUV segment to create a compact model that is comprehensively equipped with innovative technology and features.”

The EV3’s pursuit of peak efficiency mirrors that of Kia’s larger EV9 SUV. It integrates superior aerodynamics with a full 3D undercover that notably reduces drag, achieving a drag coefficient of just 0.263 Cd. The vehicle incorporates top-of-the-line Battery Management Unit (BMU) and Cell Monitoring Unit (CMU) technology to optimize the energy utilization of its high-voltage battery systems.

The Long Range model of the EV3 offers a remarkable estimated driving range of up to 600 km (372.8 mi), providing new electric vehicle users the confidence needed for extended travels. Kia’s advanced Vehicle Charging Management System enables ultra-fast charging, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in approximately 31 minutes. This ensures minimal waiting time and optimal efficiency on the road.

Your Entertainment Hub on Wheels

Enhancing the user experience inside the Kia EV3, Kia has installed a comprehensive suite of connectivity and multimedia capabilities, designed to cater to both travel needs and stationary moments. The vehicle features a variety of streaming options through its Premium Streaming service, powered by LG’s Automotive Content Platform (ACP) with webOS technology, as well as in-car gaming opportunities, creating an entertainment hub on wheels. The audio experience is elevated by the Harman Kardon sound system, providing a cinema-like audio quality.

“Cars are no longer just a means of transportation but an extension of our ‘life space.’ Developed with numerous customer-centric innovations, the EV3 offers our customers an immersive content consumption experience with our premium streaming services and class-leading sound system,” stated Chang Sung Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Brand & CX at Kia. “Providing the ability to digitally customize the EV3’s interior through the Kia Connect Store in the same way one would personalize a smartphone, alongside the introduction of Kia’s AI Assistant these examples further highlight how the EV3 responds to customers’ ever-evolving needs.”

Kia allows for a high degree of personalization with the EV3, enabling users to customize the dashboard and infotainment system with NBA team-inspired themes, available through the Kia Connect Store. These themes incorporate team colors, graphics, and animations, enhancing the personal connection between the vehicle and its owner.

Kia’s AI Assistant technology, initially introduced in the Kia K4 sedan, is a new addition to the EV3, marking it as the first electric model to incorporate this feature. This AI technology offers intuitive interaction and control over the vehicle’s functions, promoting convenience and enhancing user engagement. The assistant is equipped with generative AI capabilities for natural language processing, allowing it to assist with travel planning and optimize the use of in-car features.

Initially rolling out in South Korea, the AI Assistant’s capabilities are scheduled for expansion into European markets. Kia’s ongoing development of this technology aims to continually enhance user experience and satisfaction across its electric vehicle lineup in the coming years.

Global Launch and Future Plans for the Kia EV3

Kia’s upcoming worldwide campaign, driven by the motto ‘a moving power,’ shows the company’s dedication to progress and innovation. As someone who appreciates technology and sustainability, I admire Kia’s focus on cutting-edge design and eco-friendly transportation options.

The EV3 will hit Korean roads in July 2024, then make its way to Europe later in the year. Kia plans to broaden EV3 sales to more regions, with more launches lined up after it enters the European market.

Kia EV3 Specifications

Feature	Specification
Dimensions (Length x Width x Height)	4,300 mm (169.3 in) x 1,850 mm (72.8 in) x 1,560 mm (61.4 in)
Wheelbase	2,680 mm (105.5 in)
Battery Capacity	Standard: 58.3 kWhLong Range: 81.4 kWh
Electric Motor	150 kW / 283 Nm (201 hp / 208 lb-ft)
Acceleration	0 to 100 km/h (60 mph) in 7.5 seconds
Top Speed	Up to 170 km/h (105 mph)
Driving Range	Up to 600 km (372.8 mi) (Long Range model)
Charging Time (10 to 80%)	Approximately 31 minutes (Ultra-fast charging)