South Korean automaker Kia has declared early success with its new EV3 electric subcompact crossover SUV in its home market, with reservations reaching more than 10,000 units in under a month.
Early reservations suggest strong demand for its home turf
Kia EV3’s reservations already surpassed the 10,000 unit threshold since order books opened in South Korea on June 4, 2024, according to The Korean Car Blog.
This considered, it is no longer surprising that Kia sees the low-cost electric SUV model as a potential “game changer” in the highly competitive market.
The Kia EV3 is part of the brand’s new series of mass-market offerings. It debuted at Kia’s first annual EV day in October 2023.
The Kia EV3 boasts an affordable base price of just $30,700 (KRW 42.08), excluding any available tax incentives. With incentives, this amount can further drop to around $29,200 (KRW 39.95 million).
Design
The Kia EV3 features the brand’s new “Opposites United” branding and is packed with the innovative technologies and design seen in its larger sibling, the Kia EV9.
This new Kia electric SUV sports a sleek, aerodynamic design that focuses on improving both aesthetics and efficiency. It features the brand’s new “Tiger Face” grill, modernizing the iconic Tiger Nose design.
Inside, it has a spacious and cutting-edge cabin packed with premium materials. It comes with the brand’s latest infotainment system and advanced driver-assistance features.
It offers the brand’s next-gen Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNc). It has 12.3″ screens and Apple CarPlay/ Android Auto integration.
Price and driving range per trim
The new Kia EV3 rides on Hyundai’s popular E-GMP platform, enabling it to deliver a driving range of up to 311 mi (501 km) in South Korea.
Meanwhile, the standard range variant offers a driving range of up to 217 mi (350 km).
Presented below are the Kia EV3’s price and range details by trim in the South Korean market:
| Kia EV3 trim | Range | Starting Price | Starting Price After Incentives |
| Standard | 217 mi (350 km) | $30,700 (KRW 42.08 million) | $29,200 (KRW 39.95 million) |
| Earth | Standard: 217 mi (350 km) Long Range: 311 mi (501 km) | $33,400 (KRW 45.71 million) | N/A |
| GT Line | Standard: 217 mi (350 km) Long Range: 311 mi (501 km) | $34,100 (KRW 46.66 million) | N/A |
| Long Range | 311 mi (501 km) | $34,100 (KRW 46.66 million) | $32,200 (KRW 44.15) |
The Kia EV3 will join the EV6 and EV9 in the brand’s all-electric vehicle portfolio. The Kia EV4 and EV5 will further solidify the lineup when they arrive sometime in 2025. Kia disclosed its sales target of 18,000 EV3 units by the end of 2024.
The impressive 10,000-unit reservation in South Korea alone in just less than a month demonstrates Kia’s strong market presence and consumers’ trust in its innovative electric vehicle models.
