Key Highlights
- The new Kia EV3 is available in two battery pack options.
- The compact electric SUV offers a driving range of up to 600km with the larger battery pack.
- It remains to be seen whether the EV3 will be launched in India.
Kia has taken the wraps off its new all-electric SUV. The Kia EV3 is the fourth all-electric offering from the automaker, following the EV9, EV6, and EV5. The EV3 will operate in the compact SUV segment. It is underpinned by the same platform as the other Kia electric SUVs and follows their design language. The SUV was unveiled in South Korea, where it will be launched in July. Following its release in South Korea, the EV3 will be launched in Europe and Asia.
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Kia EV3: What’s on offer?
The Kia EV3 stands at dimensions of 4,300mm x 1,850mm x 1,560mm and has a wheelbase of 2,680mm. It follows Kia’s ‘Opposites Unite’ design philosophy. It features vertical headlamps and LED DRLs in line with the ‘Tiger Face’ design language. This design language incorporates the Star Map signature lighting concept.
The highlight of the SUV’s profile is its long, sloping roofline which seamlessly merges into the hatchback-style tailgate, giving it the ‘compact’ look. The flared wheel arches receive thick cladding. The LED tail lamps also follow the signature Tiger Face Star Map design and are integrated with the rear glass.
Inside, the Kia EV3 sports a clean design for the cabin which exudes a living space-like ambience. The centre console houses a sliding table and storage area. The dashboard flaunts a seamless 30-inch display which consists of two 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment system, along with a 5-inch panel for the climate controls. There is a row of buttons below the centre screen for functions like mapping, media, and vehicle system configuration.
Talking about the powertrain, the Kia EV3 is powered by a front-mounted electric motor that produces a maximum power output of 201hp and 283Nm of torque. The EV can go from 0-100 kmph in 7.5 seconds and its top speed is capped at 170 kmph. There are two battery pack options on offer – 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh. The latter offers a driving range of up to 600km. It can be charged from 10-80% in 31 minutes.
Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia, said, “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. With a WLTP driving range of up to 600km 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.”
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Conclusion
The Kia EV3 will first launch in South Korea in July. This will be followed by a European launch in late 2024. The EV3 will arrive in Asian shores in early 2025. The automaker has not mentioned whether the electric EV will be launched in India. If launched in India, it will rival the Volvo XC40 Recharge and BYD Atto 3.
