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. Make sure you try my video under as properly.

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 bought within the US earlier right this moment.

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 turn into a finest vendor, given a few of its class-leading specs.

Along with being compact and reasonably priced, the Kia EV3 additionally guarantees to be one of many extra sustainable BEV fashions in the marketplace. It makes use of a slew of recycled supplies in its inside, however extra on that later. The manufacturing intent Kia EV3 debuted in Might 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 truth, be bought within the US. Earlier than then, it launched in Korea, the UK, and elements 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 resort 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 properly with US shoppers

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

As you possibly can see from the photographs I snapped outdoors of Kia EV Day 2025 in Tarragona, the EV3 is a moderately compact SUV that looks like an ideal match for the EU market, therefore why it’s already accessible 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 in your greenback – one thing I constantly applaud Hyundai Motor Group for.

In Europe, Kia benchmarked the EV3 towards small BEVs just like the Volvo EX30, Volkswagen ID. 3, Sensible #1, and Renault Megane E-Tech to call a couple of. Whereas is shared loads of similarities with these opponents 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 if you account for a 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’ve got to go on at this level as we don’t have official US specs for the Kia EV3 but. Nonetheless, you possibly can collect how a lot better the charging efficiency is for a Kia compact SUV that goes farther on a single cost. Listed here are another notable specs:

• Dimensions: 4,200mm lengthy, 1,850 mm huge, and 1,560 mm tall
  • Wheelbase: 2,680 mm
  • Baggage Area: 460 liters and 1,250 liters with rear seats folded down
  • Frunk Area: 25 liters
• Aerodynamics: 0.263 Cd
  • The outside entrance fascia is supplied with Lively 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 might be accessible in three variations: Commonplace Base, Lengthy Vary Base, and Lengthy Vary GT-Line. Right here’s how they examine:

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

Transferring 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 during which 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 photographs I took had been of the base-level trim, however I received to expertise a better trim for my drive. Though my time behind the wheel was brief, 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 evaluation

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 thought of what to anticipate.

My first impression was how giant the compact SUV feels when inside it. It is a frequent prevalence when testing Hyundai Motor Group EVs, as its E-GMP platform permits for a wholly flat flooring and a large wheelbase that maximizes each inch of house. The trunk appears to be like small from the skin, however it was surprisingly spacious for the car’s total size and tiny again finish behind the wheels. The frunk, alternatively, left rather a lot to be desired, however that’s not unusual for Kia and Hyundai autos. At the very least the hood opens, proper?

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

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

I, after all, 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 methods based mostly on circumstances like highway 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 fitting (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 would really assist US shoppers extra simply perceive easy methods to handle their battery life and maximize vary and effectivity.

We don’t have a precise timeline on when the Kia EV3 will hit the US, however have been advised someday in 2026. We additionally don’t have official pricing or EPA vary but however have been advised it is going to 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 possibly can try my take a look at the compact SUV within the video under.