The Kia EV3 will be launched in selected countries in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region in 2025. This was announced at the first-ever regional Kia EV Day, which was recently organised by Kia Asia Pacific and held in Taiwan.
In addition to the EV3, the event also saw other Kia electric vehicles (EVs) being showcased, namely the EV9 and EV5 as well as the Concept EV4 and Concept PV5. “Our inaugural Asia Pacific region EV Day is a testament to Kia’s unwavering dedication to sustainable mobility and our relentless commitment to driving the EV revolution forward,” said Ki Seok Ahn, president and CEO of Kia Asia Pacific HQ.
First making its global debut in May this year, the EV3 aims to tap into the demand for an entry-level compact electric SUV. Measuring 4,300 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, 1,560 mm tall and with a wheelbase that spans 2,680 mm, it occupies a larger footprint than the Volvo EX30 but is smaller than the Zeekr X and BYD Atto 3.
Built on the E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform), the EV3 follows the EV5 by using a 400V electrical architecture that enables fast charging. Based on the provided spec sheet, the EV3 will be offered two variants, with the first being the Short Range that features a 58.3-kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery for up to 436 km of range following the WLTP standard. This variant will get from a 10-80% state of charge in 29 minutes.
The second option also gets a NMC battery but with a higher energy capacity of 81.4 kWh that bumps the range to a considerable 605 km, which is more than the competition mentioned above. It’s worth noting the 10-80% charge time is only slightly more at 31 minutes.
Unlike the EX30 and Zeekr X, the EV3 is only available with front-wheel drive, and the electric motor fitted to both variants are identical and rated at 204 PS (201 hp or 150 kW) and 283 Nm of torque. The 0-100 km/h time is 7.5 seconds for the Short Range, while the Long Range needs 7.7 seconds.
The EV3 also comes with eDTVC (Electric Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control) to ensure optimum traction on the move, while i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking makes its debut on the EV and is essentially one-pedal driving with different levels of adjustment available to the driver.
In terms of styling, the EV3 remains faithful to the concept that previewed it in October 2023. Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, which is also applied to the larger EV5 and EV9, is on full display here, with standout cues being boxy rear fenders, a sloping roofline as well as a robust stance. The final shape you see boasts a drag coefficient of just 0.263.
At the front, the ‘Tiger Face Star Map’ features a daytime running light signature that is meant to be evocative of constellations with light bars – also replicated for the taillights – that surround the multi-diode headlamps. Elsewhere, there are pop-out handles for the front doors while the rear door handles are “hidden” in C-pillars.
Inside, you’ll find a minimalist dashboard with a five-inch touch panel dedicated to climate controls sandwiched between a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Fans of physical controls will be glad to know that Kia didn’t omit them in the EV3, as there are two rows – one for quick media controls and another for air-conditioning – accompanying the central air vents.
Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that are included are Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist 2, Lane Keeping Assist, Highway Driving Assist 2, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist and Remote Smart Parking Assist.
While it has been confirmed that the EV3 will come to APAC, it wasn’t mentioned which country in the region will be the first to get it. At present, Malaysian Kia distributor Dinamikjaya Motors’ line-up of EVs only includes the EV9 and EV6 – the Niro EV has been quietly dropped – and it isn’t giving a timeline just yet.
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