The 2027 Kia EV3 compact electric SUV is headed to the U.S. later this year, the automaker confirmed last week at the New York Auto Show—with certain versions offering up to 320 miles of estimated range.
Although the EV3 has been sold in Europe since late 2024, it’s the first time the entry-level electric SUV will be offered in the U.S., Kia confirmed. It’s also sold in Australia and South Korea.
Kia says that the EV3 will be offered in five trim levels — Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line and GT. The Light trim will only be available with front-wheel drive with a 58.2-kWh battery pack and estimated range of 220 miles. The other versions will be offered with a larger 81.4-kWh pack delivering up to 320 miles of range with optional all-wheel drive.
The EV3’s battery can charge from 10-80% in roughly 30 minutes at a DC fast-charger via its Tesla-derived NACS port. There’s also a vehicle-to-load accessory that plugs into the charge port for powering appliances or other accessories. The EV3 will also be compatible with a bidirectional charging system as part of Kia’s partnership with Wallbox, which can reduce costs by charging more at off-peak times when utility rates are lower.
The entire EV3 lineup rides on a front strut, rear multi-link suspension, and all versions will offer a one-pedal driving mode. GT models will have the most performance with 288 hp and sport-tuned suspension and steering, as well as virtual shift and active-sound interface.
Heated and ventilated front seats will be available, while rear passengers get their own climate control vents and their seatbacks will recline up to 39 degrees.
The EV3 includes a voice-powered AI Assistant that Kia says includes machine learning that “can deepen the human-to-machine interaction over time.” Other noteworty technology includes a head-up display, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hotspot and Harman Kardon premium audio system. The dashboard layout looks like a scaled-down version of the interface used in the EV9 electric SUV, with multiple 12.3-inch screens plus a 5-inch climate display.
Pricing, production details all TBA
Pricing for the EV3 will be announced closer to its launch date, according to Kia. When WardsAuto asked about the intended assembly plant for the U.S. model, a spokesperson said in an email that “Kia hasn’t determined where EV3 production will land just yet.”
Several years ago, when EV market growth was stronger and the tariff situation was stable, Kia officials had pointed to its plant in Monterrey, Mexico as a potential location to build the EV3. Other reports suggested that the North American version would be priced close to $30,000 before tax credits.
“With regards to decontenting, individual markets base packaging on that market’s unique factors,” explained the Kia spokesperson to WardsAuto last week. “So the U.S. may have different features and options than Europe.”
Kia late last year noted that another model that had been previously confirmed for the U.S., its EV4 electric sedan, was on an indefinite hold pending a stable tariff situation, while an electric pickup previously confirmed as under development had been shifted back to the “evaluation stage.”
