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By all accounts, the Kia EV3 should be the perfect electric car for many US drivers. After all, it was named World Car of the Year in 2025. It is a thoroughly modern battery electric vehicle inside a compact SUV shell that faithfully follows the acclaimed design language of Kia’s seven-passenger electric SUV, the EV9.
The EV3 is built on the 400 volt version of the Hyundai/Kia E-GMP platform, which means it does not offer the fastest charging performance, but it is still more than adequate for most driving situations. It comes equipped with a NACS charging port and the company says it can charge from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. The entry level car is equipped with a 58.3 kWh battery and a 201 hp motor powering the front wheels. Range is estimated to be 220 miles, and the base model is expected to retail for around $35,000.
An 81.4 kWh battery is an option, as is a dual-motor configuration with 261 hp. Range with the larger battery and single motor is estimated to be 320 miles. That can increase to 288 hp if the owner opts for the GT Performance package, which is expected to sell for just a whisker less than $50,000.
