Kia may have shelved plans to launch the EV4 in the U.S., and may not be serious about bringing the EV5 to our market, but the smaller EV3 is a done deal.
Set to replace the Niro EV, the EV3 will arrive as a 2027 model year vehicle this year. While the 2027 Kia EV3 is still several months away from reaching U.S. dealer yards, we had a chance to check it out in person again at the 2026 Busan Mobility Show in South Korea.
Here’s our experience with the Korean-spec GT-Line version, and what the U.S. market can expect.
Exterior
The EV3 has a funky yet assertive exterior that suits its small SUV dimensions. Having experienced the Kia Niro, we could immediately tell the new model is shorter. That said, it looks sturdier and has a relatively more authentic SUV character.
At the front, the vertical ‘Star Map’ headlamps are complemented by T-shaped daytime running lights. The upper grille area is fully covered by a curved body-colored panel, and the lower intake grille solely serves the vehicle’s cooling needs. Another highlight at the front is a 0.9 cu. ft. frunk.
From the sides, the 2027 EV3 has a somewhat squarish appearance, which gives it a tough look. It features protective cladding on the wheel arches and lower body, 19-inch alloy wheels, muscular surfacing, and a flattish roofline. Kia has used flush door handles at the front and hidden door handles at the rear.
The rear is upright for the most part, as Kia has prioritized space over sportiness here. This has provided 26.1 cu. ft. of cargo volume, expandable to 56.5 cu. ft. by folding the rear seat. The tail lights also have a thin profile and a technical look like the DRLs at the front.
Cabin
The dashboard flaunts the brand’s so-called triple-panoramic display, comprising a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 5.3-inch climate control touchscreen, and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.
The three-spoke steering wheel integrates buttons, scrollers, and toggle switches for various functions and features an off-center brand logo on the center pad. Kia has included regular switches for the climate control system and a scroller to adjust the speaker volume and turn the infotainment system on/off on the dashboard.
The center console features a floating armrest, which integrates buttons for Downhill Brake Control, 360-degree camera system, Parking Distance Warning, and Auto Hold. Kia has focused extensively on comfort, including a dual-zone automatic climate control system, heated and ventilated front seats, rear AC vents, and a recline function with up to 39 degrees of adjustment for the rear seat.
Performance
Kia will offer the 2027 EV3 in the U.S. in single-motor FWD and dual-motor AWD variants. The company will use a 58.3 kWh NMC battery pack in a ‘Light’ trim of the single-motor FWD variant, and it expects this setup to deliver a range of 220 miles.
Other available trims will include Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT, all of which will feature an 81.4 kWh NMC battery pack. Kia hasn’t said which of these trims come in the single-motor FWD variant and which in the dual-motor AWD variant, but we know that the GT will be exclusive to the latter.
In the single-motor FWD variant, Kia is estimating a range of up to 320 miles for the 81.4 kWh battery pack. The regular dual-motor AWD configurations will pack 261 hp, while the GT trim will pack 288 hp. The top trim will include other upgrades such as virtual gear shift and artificial engine sound generation as well.
Charging the 58.3 kWh battery pack from 10% to 80% SoC takes 29 minutes, and the 81.4 kWh unit takes 31 minutes for the same.
Also See: First Look Review: Kia EV3 GT drops a dash of spice on the small SUV
Expected Price & Release Date
The 2027 Kia EV3 will likely cost around USD 35,000 in the base trim when it goes on sale in the U.S. in late 2026.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
