Kia EV3 is a chunky mini-EV9 with 373-mile range and built-in Netflix

The Kia EV3 has been officially unveiled ahead of its worldwide launch later this year.

The replacement for the Soul EV is the first in a wave of new electric models coming from Kia between now and 2026 and represents a new entrant into the booming world of small electric crossovers.

A five-seat B-segment SUV with up to 348 miles of range, the EV3 will compete with the Volvo EX30, Smart #1, Peugeot e-2008 and Jeep Avenger. And to beat them, Kia says it is bringing some of the design and technology of its flagship EV9 to the more affordable end of the market.

Kia EV3 design

That’s certainly evident in the boxy styling, where there’s more than a hint of an EV9 that’s been through a hot wash.

The front end has the same bluff, smooth look as the EV9 with the slimline vertical LED lights pushed right out to the edges and the same ‘star map’ light design. That design is echoed in the rear lights, which stretch out across the slightly bulging tailgate.

There’s a very deliberate chunky look to the whole car, with flat doors and squared-off wheel arches whose boxiness is emphasised by their gloss black finish. There is even a geometric design for the 19-inch alloy wheels. The squareness is offset slightly by a tapered boat tail design that narrows towards the rear of the car for aerodynamic purposes, and by a downward slope to the roofline that’s more pronounced than on the EV9.

The EV3 will be available in nine colours, including four developed specifically for the model – Shale Grey, the pictured Aventurine Green, Frost Blue and Terracotta.

Kia EV3 interior

Inside, there’s a similar stripped-back aesthetic to the EV9’s that aims to make the EV3 feel as airy and spacious as possible. And there’s a heavy emphasis on sustainability, with recycled plastics used in the seat fabrics, doors and dashboard.

The flat floor and broad, low dashboard create a feeling of roominess and Kia says the EV3 is the widest car in its class. There’s plenty of space for three children or two adults across the rear bench and enough legroom to let even very tall adults sit behind a similarly sized driver.

A deep centre console offers storage space for snacks, mobile devices or even small backpacks and there’s a smart slide-out table built in for when you’re parked. In the boot, there’s 460 litres of luggage space, which can be extended to 1,250 litres with the rear seats folded, plus another 25 litres in the frunk.

Light coloured finishes to the seats, doors, and dashboard are inspired by nature and intended to aid the feeling of space, although GT-Line spec cars get an exclusive black trim instead.

The EV3’s three-screen display setup is lifted straight from the EV9 and features a 12.3-inch instrument panel, 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a dedicated 5.3-inch touchscreen between them for the climate control settings. Thankfully, there are also simple controls on the dashboard for adjusting basics such as the temperature.

The main touchscreen will run the latest, sharpest and quickest Kia operating system, complete with over-the-air updates to keep it current. It will also, for the first time, include the option of an ‘extended entertainment’ package. This will allow you to stream from video services such as Netflix and Disney+ as well as play games via the main screen. There will also be scope to personalise the touchscreen display with a choice of themes and backgrounds.

Kia EV3 battery and motor

Although full UK specifications are still to be announced, we do know that the EV3 will come in two trim levels – Base and GT-Line – and with two battery choices.

The standard-range EV3, which will only be available in the Base trim, uses a 58.3kWh battery for a maximum range of 255 miles, while the long-range version uses a huge 81.4kWh battery to return a class-leading range of 373 miles.

Both cars are front-wheel-drive only and use the same 201bhp motor to deliver a 0-62mph time of under eight seconds. Unlike the more expensive EV6 and EV9, which feature 350kW charging, the EV3 is restricted to 102kW on the standard-range car and 128kW on the long-range model. In both cases, a 10-80% charge should take around 30 minutes.

Kia EV3 technology

Model specifics are yet to be confirmed but Kia is boasting some fairly high-end technology, The EV3 will feature highway drive assist 2.0, which will change lanes with the flick of the indicator and dynamically alter its position in a lane to avoid collisions. It will also offer a new adaptive cruise system that automatically adjusts for curves or other road features and in conjunction with the driver awareness system can bring the car to a complete stop if the driver is incapacitated. And this B-segment SUV will also introduce the remote parking assist seen in more expensive models.

We’d expect those features to be reserved for top-spec models, but the EV3 will also feature the option to use your phone to unlock and start the car, and come with plug-and-charge capability that means you can stop at a charger, plug your cable in and start charging without the need for a card or mobile app.

Kia EV3 price

We’ll find out more about the specifics and get a better idea of the EV3’s price closer to the car’s launch in the final quarter of 2024. However, most of the rivals Kia has named checked are in the region of £30,000 to £35,000, so we’d expect the EV3 to fall somewhere in that bracket.