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

Throughout a current journey to Spain for Kia EV Day 2025, I bought an opportunity to check drive the brand new EV3 compact SUV earlier than it hits the US market. Make sure to try my video beneath as effectively.

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 may also 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) dimension and capabilities of this new bespoke mannequin, which it hopes will develop into a greatest 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 customers would get the chance to purchase one.

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Kia has since confirmed that the compact SUV will, actually, 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 beneath, in addition to a fast video recap.

The Kia EV3 may promote very effectively with US customers

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

As you may see from the photographs I snapped exterior of Kia EV Day 2025 in Tarragona, the EV3 is a relatively compact SUV that appears like an ideal match for the EU market, therefore why it’s already accessible abroad. Nevertheless, open-minded US customers may get an actual kick out of this mannequin, which is sneaky spacious inside and supplies loads of superior tech on your greenback – one thing I persistently applaud Hyundai Motor Group for.

In Europe, Kia benchmarked the EV3 in opposition to small BEVs just like the Volvo EX30, Volkswagen ID. 3, Sensible #1, and Renault Megane E-Tech to call just a few. Whereas is shared numerous similarities with these opponents in dimension and as an example, cost charges, the EV3’s E-GMP platform excels in different methods these fashions can not. For instance, its 10-80% cost time is corresponding to the pack at first look, however extra spectacular if you account for the way a lot bigger the SUV’s battery pack is:

So whereas the EV4 could cost at an analogous price 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 may 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 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 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: Remodel your smartphone into your car key utilizing the Kia App
• Trim Ranges: The Kia EV3 will likely be accessible in three variations: Normal Base, Lengthy Vary Base, and Lengthy Vary GT-Line. Right here’s how they evaluate:

Inside and outside, the EV3 options an admirable design method from the Kia workforce 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.

Shifting inward, the door trim was constructed from Bio PTO, and the sliding heart console was made out of recycled plastic (PCM). The steering wheel was assembled utilizing bio paint and the ground mats are made out of recycled PET carpet. that is all a part of a 7-year partnership with The Ocean Cleanup through 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 images I took had been of the base-level trim, however I bought to expertise the next 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 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 splendid 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 house. The trunk seems small from the surface, however it was surprisingly spacious for the car’s total size and tiny again finish behind the wheels. The frunk, then again, left quite a bit to be desired, however that’s not unusual for Kia and Hyundai automobiles. Not less than 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 automobile and was designed as such, and Kia nailed that facet.

I used to be totally impressed by the large 12.3″ head-up show (showcased in my video beneath) which exhibits your present pace, the pace restrict, particulars of lane preserve help and your subsequent flip, together with how distant that flip is and what lane you have to be in. I liked this characteristic.

I, after all, additionally liked i-Pedal 3.0. HMG’s regenerative braking is a few of the smoothest within the enterprise, and so they upped their recreation 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 information to supply optimum regenerative braking methods based mostly on circumstances like street grade or the visitors forward of you. Why isn’t each automaker doing this?

One final characteristic that stood out to me was the battery diagnostics current proper on the primary heart display screen. This field to the fitting (seen within the picture beneath) 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 customers extra simply perceive how one can 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 instructed someday in 2026. We additionally don’t have official pricing or EPA vary but however have been instructed it would 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 beneath.