VICTORIA, British Columbia – The 2027 Kia EV3 SUV hits the market as one of the least expensive electric vehicles sold in the United States.
With styling inspired by Kia’s hit Telluride large SUV and a lineup that includes two all-wheel-drive models that can challenge larger and more expensive EVs, the EV3 has a lot to commend it, from its base Light trim level model to a sporty AWD GT-Line.
I spent a day driving a pair of EV3s — one FWD, one AWD — on scenic Vancouver Island in British Columbia, from Victoria’s construction sites and traffic jams to remote, twisting logging roads and the island’s windswept western shore.
But first, a bit about the 2027 Kia EV3 dimensions and power
The EV3 straddles the line between subcompact and compact SUVs.
It’s the first Kia in the United States to use the automaker’s
400V Global Electric Modular Platform the. The larger EV6 and EV9 use Kia’s 800V platform.
The EV3 has two battery sizes: 58.3 kWh for the base Light trim level and 81.4 kWh for everything else
Front-wheel drive EV3s have a single motor producing 201 hp and 209 pound-feet of torque on their front axle. AWD Land, Wind and GT-Line models have two motors producing 261 hp and 284 pound-feet. The upcoming AWD GT will have 288 hp and 345 pound-feet. motor
Either battery will charge to full overnight with the 240-volt charger many EV owners have access to. The smaller battery changes from 10%-80% as quickly as 29 minutes at a DC fast charger. The larger battery can do the same in 31 minutes.
Driving range on a charge runs from a modest 221 miles for a base model to 321 miles with FWD and the 81.4 kWh battery. AWD EV3 all scored EPA estimates of 280 miles on a charge.
My driving impressions
The EV3 is quiet at highway speeds and on rough surfaces. The ride is smooth.
Pedal response is excellent. Kia says the 261-horsepower GT-Line I spent much of the day in accelerates to 60 mph in 6.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 106 mph in all trims.
Kia has improved its regenerative braking by offering three levels with one-pedal driving that will bring the vehicle to a complete stop without applying the brake.
The setting also carries over from one driving cycle to the next, saving drivers the annoyance of re-setting it every time they start the car.
Kia's Plug and Charge feature is standard, allowing owners to use many DC fast chargers without spending time on apps or cards.
The ability to power your hose from the SUV’s battery will be added, but we don’t know when.
The cabin's look and feel
The EV3’s interior is restrained. Muted colors, no surprising features.
The EV3’s cabin comfortable is comfortable and provides good sight lines. A textile cover on parts of the dash looks and feels good.
The instrument cluster and infotainment touch screens are big and clear, but a smaller one for some climate controls is easy to overlook.
A color display might help, as would a more prominent position than between the primary screens, behind the windshield wiper stalk.
The primary climate controls — fan, mode and temperature — are on useful toggles in the center stack. Controls for heated and ventilated front seats are conveniently placed on the doors.
Good onya, Kia.
Why buy a 2027 Kia EV3?
The Kia EV3 brings the bold profile and styling of the brand’s larger and wildly popular Telluride to an entry-level EV. It’s fun to drive, with a practical range and competitive charging time.
Despite repeated customer cries for low-priced EVs, it’s not clear how big the market for an EV under $30K is. The EV3 sidesteps that issue with a progression of models from the low end to the heart of new-vehicle prices.
What could be better?
The EV3 Light’s 221-mile range trails the lowest Chevy Bolt and Nissan Leaf by 41 and 38 miles, respectively. That’s not likely to affect owners much in real-world driving, and EV3’s base Light trim level will probably be used mostly for parking enforcement and similar hyper-local driving. Still every little bit counts.
It’s difficult to find the EV3’s haptic, flat-panel controls for “home,” “map,” “media” and other features while driving.
Visibility of the climate-control touch screen between the gauge cluster and infotainment screen could be better.
Priced to be competitive
The EV3 competes primarily with subcompact EVs like the FWD Bolt and Leaf and AWD Subaru Uncharted and Toyota CH-R.
The EV3 replaces the blasé Niro as Kia’s least expensive EV — for $10,000 less and with a longer range.
The front-drive EV3 Light’s $29,890 base price slots neatly between the Chevy Bolt’s EV-leading $28,995 and Nissan’s $29,990 Leaf. All prices exclude destination charges.
At the high end of the lineup, the all-wheel drive EV3 GT-Line and GT boast all-wheel drive, powerful dual-motor drivetrains and prices that can top $46K.
Based on the bell curve pricing most vehicles follow, the best-selling EV3s will likely cost $35K-$42K, the Wind and Land trim.
2027 Kia EV3 trim levels and prices
- EV3 Light FWD: $29,890
- EV3 Wind FWD: $34,990
- EV3 Wind AWD: $38,690
- EV3 Land FWD: $38,490
- EV3 Land AWD: $41,690
- EV3 GT-Line AWD: $43,490
- EV3 GT AWD: $45,890
The EV3 family is available now, with the exception of the most powerful GT, which should arrive in 2027.
Note: All prices exclude $1,495 destination charge
Source: Kia
2027 Kia EV3 at a glance
Subcompact electric SUV
Front- or all-wheel-wheel drive
Seats 5
On sale now
Base price: $29,890. All prices exclude $1,495 destination charge
Model tested: 2027 EV3 GT-Line AWD
Price as tested: $44,235
Power: Two electric motors
Transmission: Single-speed direct drive.
Output: 261 horsepower; 280 pound-feet of torque
EPA estimated range: 280 miles
Wheelbase: 105.5 inches
Length: 169.3 inches
Width: 72.8 inches
Height: 62 inches
Ground clearance: 5.9 inches
Passenger space: 91.7 cubic feet
Cargo space: 26.5 cubic feet behind third row; 56.5 behind second
Curb weight: 4,195 pounds
Towing capacity: NA
Assembled in Pesqueria, Mexico
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan. Read more on autos and sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Small electric SUV took me from traffic jams to twisting logging roads
