2026 Kia EV3: A Game Changer if the Price is Right

Seoul, South Korea—Following the introduction of the EV3 Concept a year ago and a first look at the production model in May, the all-new Kia EV3 went on sale in its domestic market this summer and will soon launch in Europe. As a miniaturized EV9, the electric hatchback is expected to land in Canada in 2026.

The Car Guide got exclusive access to the EV3 in Seoul a few days ago, and from what we saw and discovered this vehicle has the making of a true game changer.

• Also: All-New Kia EV3 Debuts as Tiny, Affordable Yet High-Tech EV
• Also: Kia Shows EV3 and EV4 Concepts in World Premiere

More E-GMP Goodness

The Kia EV3 is based on Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) but uses a 400V electric architecture instead of the usual 800V system. Two NMC (nickel manganese cobalt) batteries—58.3 kWh and 81.4kWh—will be available globally. The latter is found in the GT-Line model, which we tested, featuring a single motor that sends 201 horsepower and 209 lb-ft of torque to the front wheels only.

Kia engineers are currently working on a dual-motor variant of the EV3, which will follow at a later date, but they’re not yet ready to disclose output and torque. What we know is that 0-100 km/h acceleration times will be under 7 seconds in AWD Long Range trim and under 6 seconds in GT Long Range trim. By comparison, the single-motor EV3 achieves similar sprints in 7.5 seconds with the 58.3kWh battery and 7.7 seconds with the 81.4kWh pack.

Definitely No Range Anxiety

While in Seoul, we happened to record an average of 16.9 kWh/100 km in a mix of city-highway driving, which is remarkably low energy consumption. The battery had a 95-percent charge before we hit the road and the on-board computer estimated range at 593 km.

According to the WLTP (World Light-Vehicle Test Procedure), the Kia EV3 is good enough for 436 km with the smaller battery and 605 km with the bigger one. That’s obviously very optimistic—a more accurate estimate in real-world conditions would be around 530 km.

DC Fast Charging Up to 130 kW

Going from 800V to 400V inevitably affects DC fast charging capability. In the EV3’s case, Kia says the vehicle can charge at up to 130 kW. We were able to validate that claim during a stop at a charging station in Seoul. The session started at 130 kW and ended up at around 70 kW by the time the battery had returned to 80 percent, which was when we unplugged the connector and resumed our trip.

In the best-case scenario, we’re told the battery will charge from 10-80 percent in approximately 31 minutes. Granted, many other EVs have superior DC charging power, but Kia chose to prioritize range over charging speeds with the new EV3.

The battery is liquid-cooled to maintain its operating temperature at 21 degrees Celsius. An automatic pre-conditioning system kicks in when navigating to a DC fast charger to ensure full power is available at the start of the charging session. The driver also has the option of manually activating the system, which isn’t the case with the Volvo EX30. What’s more, the EV3 features a standard heat pump and a compact-sized HVAC system that proved highly effective and appreciated with temperatures on test day hovering above 30 degrees Celsius.

One-Pedal Driving

The new EV3 debuts Kia’s most advanced one-pedal driving system yet. Called i-Pedal 3.0, it offers four levels of regenerative braking. Levels 0-1 are best suited for highways, Level 2 should be used on secondary roads, while Level 3 enables true one-pedal driving around town. The system even works in reverse. 

When activating the Smart Regenerative System (SRS) through the right paddle on the steering wheel, the EV3 will automatically and seamlessly adjust regenerative braking based on the distance from the vehicle ahead, as well as speed signs, speed bumps and corners. It can even stop the EV3 behind a stationary vehicle without requiring the driver to hit the brake pedal. SRS mode worked like a charm in dense Seoul traffic, prompting us to use it more often than not.

Boxy Yet Aerodynamic

In terms of size, the EV3 is similar to the Niro EV that Kia has been selling for a number of years, except 12 cm shorter overall and with a shorter wheelbase. It’s yet another interpretation of Kia’s Opposites United design language, this one looking a lot like the three-row EV9 from every angle but in a smaller package.

Notably, the body is a tad slimmer in the rear, resulting in a more aerodynamic vehicle. For the record, the EV3’s drag coefficient is a commendable 0.26. On the flip side, the small rear window compromises visibility.

EV9-Like Cockpit

Just like the exterior, the interior of the Kia EV3 is almost identical to that of the EV9. The large digital interface combining a pair of 12.3-inch displays with a 5-inch pad in between is the same. It’s worth pointing out that Kia’s infotainment system ranks among the most responsive and most user-friendly in the entire industry. The steering wheel comes from the refreshed-for-2025 EV6, mind you.

A highlight of the cabin is the innovative centre console complete with a sliding table, which will be great for eating or working on a laptop while the vehicle is charging. Extra storage and a wireless smartphone charger can be found on the lower level.

Like so many EVs these days, the Kia EV3 makes extensive use of recycled materials inspired by nature’s elements. Meanwhile, the trunk can fit 460 litres of cargo, making it marginally larger than the EX30’s, and there’s a 25-litre frunk under the hood if you need more space.

What About the Price?

The closest rivals include the more expensive EX30 and the freshly launched Chevrolet Equinox EV, not to mention the Volkswagen ID.3 and BYD Atto 3 sold in other markets. With its state-of-the-art design, EV9-like interior, excellent range and pleasant level of comfort, the new Kia EV3 has all the ingredients to become a hit. All that’s missing is the price, and it needs to be just as competitive as the EV9 to seal the deal.

During the introduction, the company hinted at a price range of $35,000-$50,000 USD, which likely means an entry point of around $42,000 in Canada. Even cheaper EV1 and EV2 models, also based on the E-GMP chassis, may follow at some point, but whether or not these will be offered in North America is another story.

Model selection and equipment for the Canadian market have yet to be made official, by the way. Will both batteries be available here or just the bigger one? What about FWD vs. AWD? Logic tells us the dual-motor variant with the 81.4kWh battery will come our way, but let’s wait for an announcement. Who knows? Maybe Kia will offer a single-motor model equipped with the smaller battery in order to advertise a lower base price.

For now, the EV3 is manufactured in Gwangmyeong, South Korea, and Kia is keeping mum about localizing production in the U.S. or Mexico. As always, count on us to keep you up to date.