Image: Kia Image: Kia NEW YORK-Kia grows its electric lineup at the affordable end with the stylish (and already award-winning) 2027 EV3. One of the most common objections we hear from the EV-hesitant is one of price. Today at the New York Auto Show Kia pulled the sheets back on the 2027 EV3, the brand's smallest all-electric model on this side of the pond and a direct response to questions of affordability. Promising just shy of 300 miles (482 kilometres) of range and rare-for-its-class available all-wheel drive, the EV3 is a Seltos-sized shot at the likes of the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Bolt. 2027 Kia EV3 Exterior Styling Image: Kia Image: Kia Kia continues to employ its "Opposites United" design language in distinctly different ways for its electric and combustion offerings. The EV3 features a boxy shape not unlike the new Seltos, but ditches the gaping grille for a small smirk, with vertically-stacked headlights and thin eyebrows to house the daytime running lights (DRLs). Angular wheel arch trim wraps around traditionally circular openings, with Kia's penchant for funky wheel design on full display here-these are 19-inch alloys, with 17s standard. A thin trim piece connects the arches at the base of the doors, not only mirroring their angular shape but chopping visual weight out of the shape. A semi-floating roof design incorporates hidden door handles in the C-pillars. Large taillights wrap around much of the liftgate, with a squat, chopped rear window line helping contribute to a relatively slippery (for a box) 0.26 drag coefficient. The EV3 might look new to us, but it's already been rolling around Europe for some time now; it even won World Car of the Year 2025. 2027 Kia EV9 Interior and Tech Image: Kia Image: Kia The EV3 cabin borrows much from the Canadian-market EV4, with a pared-back design language and pleasant levels of contrast. The dashboard takes a subtly different approach, still low profile but adding an extra layer up top for a more obvious wraparound effect. A two-spoke steering wheel is standard, while GT-Line and GT models get the three-spoke affair shown above. An open center console provides plenty of easy-access storage plus a usefully grippy wireless charger. The front seats include standard heating, with ventilation optional. Kia is touting 40 degrees of recline for the rear seats along with standard rear air vents, suggesting plenty of back-bench comfort for the class. The EV3 can swallow up to 26.1 cubic feet (740 liters) of stuff with the 60/40-folding bench upright, plus a small amount in the frunk. A power liftgate is optional. Kia's familiar single-panel ccNC display is familiar now, featuring two 12.3-inch displays and a dedicated 5.0-inch setup between them to handle additional climate control functions. Those wanting even more display real estate can option the 12.0-inch head-up display (HUD). Other tech goodies include an available eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, Surround View Monitor, and Digital Key 2.0. The EV3 naturally has a long list of safety assist acronyms including HOD, or Hands-On Detection. As you'd suspect, it provides alerts if the system senses the driver's hands are anywhere other than where they should be after a set time period. 2026 Honda Prelude: All the Details 2027 Kia EV3 Powertrain and Range Image: Kia Image: Kia The EV3 runs on the 400-volt version of the Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform, one it shares with the EV4. A classic Macpherson strut front and multilink rear suspension underpin every model. At launch there will be two battery pack sizes: an affordable 58.3-kilowatt-hour option and a larger 81.4-kWh setup. The former can only be had with front-wheel drive in lower trims, where it's expected to deliver 220 miles (354 kilometers) of range. Buyers opting for the bigger pack can expect a hair under 300 miles (482 km) according to Kia's estimates. Front-drive is still standard on most trims here, but all-wheel drive is optional-and standard on the top performance GT trim. Kia didn't talk performance figures in its North American press release, but in Europe, front-drive models make 201 horsepower while AWD bumps that up to a spritely 308 hp. We will be getting the latest version of i-Pedal however, which still allows for full one-pedal driving, retains the last setting through power cycles (yay!) and now has a smart regenerative function. While not as quick-charging as 800-volt E-GMP cars, the EV3 should still do the 10-to-80 percent recharge in 29 minutes (small battery) or 31 minutes (big battery), according to Kia. Like the rest of the brand's electric lineup, the EV3 features a standard North American Charging Standard (NACS) port for our market. It also includes standard Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capability, allowing the car to power accessories. 2027 Kia EV3 Availability Image: Kia Image: Kia The 2027 Kia EV3 will finally land in North America "late Q3" of this year. Expect more details on exact trim specifications closer to launch. AutoGuide's Take Image: Kia Image: Kia Finally! The EV3 has been racking up rewards and sales in Europe for offering an approachable, affordable all-electric option in a crammed segment. The EV3 should provide a serious challenge to the reborn Leaf and Bolt, and has the advantage of available all-wheel drive. With gas prices showing no signs of significant reductions any time soon, the EV3's broad trim lineup could be its secret to success in North America. 2026 Polestar 4: All the Details
+14 others
