Kia unveiled more information about its smallest and cheapest electric vehicle yet, the EV3, at the Kia EV3 Tech Day in Seoul earlier this month.
The Kia EV3 has finally penetrated the market as a compact electric SUV, a segment still dominated by several players like Volvo and Fiat. Even Tesla has yet to join this particular segment.
Despite its affordable price, this electric crossover SUV does not disappoint with its competitive driving range and high-tech features.
Design
The Kia EV3, dubbed “Baby EV9,” features similar tall, boxy frames and vertical headlamps as the 3-row electric SUV. However, the EV3 is slightly more rounded and less muscular.
Kia strategically concealed the electric crossover’s door handles in the C-pillar, enabling a sporty, coupe-like appearance.
Inside, the Kia EV3 offers ample space for drivers and passengers. While it may not be a big car, it is also definitely not a small one. It is bigger than the Volvo EX30 in all aspects, including length, width, and height. Its 2,680-millimeter wheelbase is also about 30 millimeters longer than that of the Volvo model, delivering more legroom.
The center console armrest has a sliding table and storage. However, the said table has no cupholders. The placement of the cup holders under the center console may be challenging for drivers to reach for their cups while on the road.
Performance
The Korea Joongang Daily was able to test drive the Kia EV3 on a 200 km (124 mile) trip from Seoul to Sokcho, Gangwon, as the company has already launched the electric SUV on its home turf. It reportedly started with 471 kilometers on the battery and finished the test drive with 284 kilometers, as the pedal system saved 13 km.
As per the South Korean newspaper, driving the Kia EV3 “was smooth and quiet throughout the test drive despite heavy rain and wind” owing to its user-friendly driving assistant systems and latest AI assistant.
The long-range Kia EV3 enables a driving range of 501 kilometers between charges, while the base variant can deliver 350 kilometers.
The Kia EV3 also offers an innovative i-Pedal system, making it more efficient. With this feature, owners can adjust the level of regenerative braking, enabling the car to accelerate, decelerate, and even perform a complete stop with the mere pedal.
However, The Korea Joongang Daily’s team recorded a fuel economy of 6.6 kilometers per kilowatt hour. This result indicates a notable gap from its claimed 5.2 km/kWh.
“Mileage and charging time were the two areas we focused most on in the development process. The EV3 was released with a very cost-competitive price tag to promote the EV’s popularity.”
Jeong Won-jeong, Kia’s Domestic Sales Head
A game-changer in the compact EV market
The Kia EV3 has a very enticing sticker price of only 42.1 million won ($30,000). This price can further drop to about 30 million won in the South Korean market with the electric vehicle incentives from the national government.
The local government also offers additional subsidies to reduce the EV3’s price to as low as 29 million won, substantially undercutting rival Volvo EX30, which costs at least 50 million won.
European customers must wait at least until Q1 2024 to get their hands on the new Kia EV3. Meanwhile, sales will kick off in the US market by 2025. Its base price for the global market will be about $35,000, with Kia aiming to sell 200,000 EV3s.
