First drive within the Kia EV3 earlier than it hits the US

Throughout a latest journey to Spain for Kia EV Day 2025, I received an opportunity to check drive the brand new EV3 compact SUV earlier than it hits the US market. Remember to try my video under as nicely.

Background on the EV3

The lead-up to to our long-anticipated first drive of the Kia EV3 earlier than it launches within the US dates again to the autumn of 2023, when the Korean automaker debuted it as an idea on the LA Auto present, subsequent to the EV4, which Kia confirmed can even be offered within the US earlier at present.

Since then, we’ve seen numerous updates from Kia trickle in, educating the lots on the (compact) measurement and capabilities of this new bespoke mannequin, which it hopes will change into a greatest vendor, given a few of its class-leading specs.

Along with being compact and inexpensive, the Kia EV3 additionally guarantees to be one of many extra sustainable BEV fashions available on the market. It makes use of a slew of recycled supplies in its inside, however extra on that later. The manufacturing intent Kia EV3 debuted in Could of 2024, however we nonetheless weren’t sure on the time if US shoppers would get the chance to purchase one.

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Kia has since confirmed that the compact SUV will, in actual fact, be offered within the US. Earlier than then, it launched in Korea, the UK, and components of Europe with early success. I took a visit to Spain with Kia this previous weekend to attend its annual EV Day occasion in Tarragona, about an hour and a half south of our lodge in Barcelona.

To get there, I used to be given an EU spec EV3 to check drive and see what this new mannequin is all about. My ideas are under, in addition to a fast video recap.

The Kia EV3 might promote very nicely with US shoppers

Earlier than I dig into my (transient) driving impressions, I need to share some specs in regards to the EV3 so you may higher perceive the place Kia intends to place this compact SUV within the US market and what degree of efficiency you may anticipate at that value tier.

As you may see from the photographs I snapped outdoors of Kia EV Day 2025 in Tarragona, the EV3 is a slightly compact SUV that looks like an ideal match for the EU market, therefore why it’s already out there abroad. Nonetheless, open-minded US shoppers might get an actual kick out of this mannequin, which is sneaky spacious inside and gives loads of superior tech to your greenback – one thing I constantly applaud Hyundai Motor Group for.

In Europe, Kia benchmarked the EV3 in opposition to small BEVs just like the Volvo EX30, Volkswagen ID. 3, Good #1, and Renault Megane E-Tech to call a number of. Whereas is shared a whole lot of similarities with these rivals in measurement and as an illustration, cost charges, the EV3’s E-GMP platform excels in different methods these fashions can’t. For instance, its 10-80% cost time is akin to the pack at first look, however extra spectacular while you account for the way a lot bigger the SUV’s battery pack is:

So whereas the EV4 could cost at an analogous charge to different compact electrical SUVs in its class, its replenishing a a lot bigger battery, delivering considerably higher all-electric vary (AER):

Sure, it’s WLTP vary and never EPA, however that’s all we have now to go on at this level as we don’t have official US specs for the Kia EV3 but. Nonetheless, you may collect how significantly better the charging efficiency is for a Kia compact SUV that goes farther on a single cost. Listed below are another notable specs:

• Dimensions: 4,200mm lengthy, 1,850 mm huge, and 1,560 mm tall
  • Wheelbase: 2,680 mm
  • Baggage House: 460 liters and 1,250 liters with rear seats folded down
  • Frunk House: 25 liters
• Aerodynamics: 0.263 Cd
  • The outside entrance fascia is provided with Energetic Air Flaps (AAF) and a 3D physique undercover to enhance effectivity
• Kia AI Assistant: New AI voice assistant powered by ChatGPT
• Digital Key 2.0: Rework your smartphone into your car key utilizing the Kia App
• Trim Ranges: The Kia EV3 will likely be out there in three variations: Normal Base, Lengthy Vary Base, and Lengthy Vary GT-Line. Right here’s how they evaluate:

In and out, the EV3 options an admirable design strategy from the Kia staff that makes use of 10 materials options that can ultimately be included into all Kia fashions. For instance, the fender, door garnish, slide sill molding, and bumper cowl have been constructed utilizing recycled plastic from automotive waste and the wheel guards have been assembled from recycled plastic PET from post-industrial waste.

Shifting inward, the door trim was constructed from Bio PTO, and the sliding heart console was created from recycled plastic (PCM). The steering wheel was assembled utilizing bio paint and the ground mats are created from recycled PET carpet. that is all a part of a 7-year partnership with The Ocean Cleanup wherein Kia plans to assist take away 0.5 Mio kg of plastic from the Nice Pacific Rubbish Patch that plagues our ocean. As such, the EV3’s trunk liner was made utilizing 40% recycled ocean plastic.

The images I took have been of the base-level trim, however I received to expertise a better trim for my drive. Though my time behind the wheel was quick, I do have some driving impressions as Kia prepares to launch the EV3 within the US quickly.

Driving the Kia EV3 by way of Spain and video overview

As I acknowledged the journey from Barcelona to Tarragona was solely about and hour and a half and included a driver swap, so I solely had about 45 minutes behind the wheel. That’s not superb to provide you my full ideas on how the EV3 drives, however I skilled sufficient to provide you an concept of what to anticipate.

My first impression was how giant the compact SUV feels when inside it. This can be a frequent prevalence when testing Hyundai Motor Group EVs, as its E-GMP platform permits for a completely flat ground and a large wheelbase that maximizes each inch of area. The trunk seems small from the skin, but it surely was surprisingly spacious for the car’s total size and tiny again finish behind the wheels. The frunk, then again, left loads to be desired, however that’s not unusual for Kia and Hyundai automobiles. A minimum of the hood opens, proper?

When driving, the EV3 is clean and quiet. It doesn’t have probably the most giddy-up, however that’s not what this BEV was designed for. This can be a daily-use-family automotive and was designed as such, and Kia nailed that facet.

I used to be completely impressed by the huge 12.3″ head-up show (showcased in my video under) which reveals your present pace, the pace restrict, particulars of lane maintain help and your subsequent flip, together with how distant that flip is and what lane you have to be in. I cherished this function.

I, in fact, additionally cherished i-Pedal 3.0. HMG’s regenerative braking is among the smoothest within the enterprise, and so they upped their sport with i-Pedal 3.0, which now options 4 separate ranges, together with a brand new “auto” mode that makes use of GPS and sensor knowledge to supply optimum regenerative braking strategies based mostly on situations like street grade or the visitors forward of you. Why isn’t each automaker doing this?

One final function that stood out to me was the battery diagnostics current proper on the primary heart display. This field to the proper (seen within the picture under) broke down how the EV3’s battery was getting used, damaged down by classes and percentages, together with driving, electronics, local weather, and battery care. That was a pleasant little contact that might really assist US shoppers extra simply perceive the right way to handle their battery life and maximize vary and effectivity.

We don’t have an actual timeline on when the Kia EV3 will hit the US, however have been informed someday in 2026. We additionally don’t have official pricing or EPA vary but however have been informed it’ll have an MSRP beginning within the mid-$30,000 vary. For comparability, the EV3 begins at 29,000 euros ($30,200) for the usual vary base mannequin in Spain and 33,790 ($35,190) for the long-range base mannequin.

I hope to get extra time in an EV3 as Kia’s US launch strikes nearer, however for now, you may try my take a look at the compact SUV within the video under.