Kia EV3 First Drive Review HeroI drove Kia's newest and cheapest EV. With up to 321 miles of range, it's a great value.It's hard to say whether the Kia EV3 is hitting dealerships at the best possible time—or the worst. Gas prices are still sky-high, electric options are dropping like flies, and affordable EVs—especially good ones—have always been tough to find. All of that bodes well for Kia's stubby, $30,000 battery-powered crossover to make a real impact.Then again, federal tax credits are gone and Americans seem increasingly smitten with hybrids. Kia may be dropping exactly the EV America has been asking for at a time when the market for it has never been more uncertain.We'll have to wait and see whether Americans actually buy the thing. But after driving the EV3 for a day recently, I can say this much: They probably should. Kia's newest and cheapest EV is charming, capable, and appealing in ways that have historically eluded entry-level electric cars.[Full Disclosure: Kia covered my travel, lodging, and meals in Victoria, British Columbia, so I could attend the launch of the EV3.]Kia EV3: The Basics2027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV32027 Kia EV3The EV3 is a small crossover that slots in below the EV6 in Kia's electric lineup. Starting at $29,890 (plus a $1,495 destination charge), it's one of the cheapest electric cars on sale in a U.S. market that's historically dominated by pricey models. Until future offerings like the Slate truck and Ford Fathom come along, the only cars it will compete with in that sub-$30,000 segment are the $28,995 Chevrolet Bolt and $29,990 Nissan Leaf. Coming in at 169.3 inches long, the EV3 is roughly as long as a Bolt and 15.5 inches shorter than an EV6.That base price gets you a Light-trim vehicle with the smaller 58.1 kWh battery, front-wheel drive, and 221 miles of EPA-estimated range. Stepping up to the Wind trim unlocks the larger 81.4-kWh pack and adds 100 miles of range, making it the sweet spot in the lineup. That version costs $34,990, putting nicely equipped EV3s in competition with base versions of larger EV crossovers, like the Toyota bZ and C-HR and the Chevy Equinox EV. All-wheel drive is an option on the Wind and Land trims, costing $3,700 and $3,200, respectively, and comes standard on the GT-Line and GT models.Kia notes that of the close to 80 EV options on the U.S. market today, just five cost less than $35,000. Executives believe the EV3 can open the door to broader EV ownership, especially as overall U.S. EV sales rebound over the next several years.I can't quite say yet whether the $30,000 version delivers on that promise; the EV3s Kia had on hand at last week's drive event cost closer to $40,000 and up. (The Land FWD I sampled carried an MSRP of $38,690, while the AWD GT-Line I drove retailed for $44,235). But after a couple hours behind the wheel of each, I came away convinced that Kia got the fundamentals right. The EV3 is simply a very good little electric car.What's Good: SUV Styling, Comfy Ride, Punchy Base PowertrainThis may be a budget EV, but it doesn't look like one. Whereas the Bolt—and to some degree the Leaf—looks like an awkward economy car, the stylish, squared-off EV3 gives off the vibe of a shrunken down EV9. I think that'll make it more appealing to SUV-loving Americans. Kia thinks so too."Those other two don't feel SUV. They don't look SUV," Christine Bagnard, Kia America's director of sales and field operations, told me. "They're kind of 'been there, done that.'"Our Latest Reviews2027 Mercedes GLC 400 Electric Review: The Best Mercedes EV Ever, And It's Not CloseI Leased A BMW iX For Three Years. Here's Why I Ended Up Buying It OutThe Kia also punches above its weight on the road. I drove it on smooth open highways and two-lane roads with some deep divots. The EV3 handled it all impressively well for a small car. It wasn't luxury-vehicle plush, but the ride was composed and comfortable, and I didn't register the bouncy, harsh feeling you can get in a basic, compact car. I can't say as much for the Chevy Bolt.When equipped with the optional dual-motor powertrain, the 261 horsepower, all-wheel-drive EV3 is quick off the line and a champ at last-minute highway merges. I'm also pleased to report that it's no slouch even if you skip the second motor. The FWD model, rated at 201 horses and 209 pound-feet of torque, was nearly as eager. It never felt sluggish. Up to 321 miles of range for the larger battery (or up to 280 miles for AWD models) is healthy for the segment. Visibility was good too, and the little car felt nice and maneuverable in parking lots and the like.2027 Kia EV3Stopping is improved too; Kia is introducing a revamped version of its regenerative braking system that addresses one of the biggest complaints owners have about its current EVs. The i-Pedal one-pedal driving system is now far more adjustable, with three levels of braking intensity. Before there was just one i-Pedal setting, plus three levels of regen that wouldn't bring the car to a stop. Now, holding the left paddle with any of those regen settings selected will switch on i-Pedal. Thankfully, the car now remembers the last setting you selected when you boot it up, unlike previous Kia EVs.Finally, the EV3 is just a nice place to spend time. The faux-leather seats in both my test cars—standard in everything above the Light trim—were soft and supportive. The back seat was small, obviously, but also not terribly cramped for my 6'2" frame. Kia claims that the car has more total interior space than the Toyota bZ thanks to its stretched-out wheelbase and short overhangs. And it does beat the competition on cargo space, which definitely has something to do with its boxy shape. It boasts 26.1 cubic feet of storage behind the rear seats, on par with larger options like the Chevy Equinox EV considerably more than what you'd find in the Leaf (20 cu. ft.) or Bolt (16.9 cu. ft.).2027 Kia EV3While there was of course some hard plastic around, the whole cabin felt well-built and sophisticated. Importantly, while the EV3 can easily push $50,000, it seems like you don't need to go crazy with options to get a nice-feeling car. Even the $35,000 Wind trim comes well-equipped, with a power driver's seat, wireless phone charger, and heated front seats. The step-up EV3 Land I drove added on features like a power sunroof, ventilated front seats, and a power tailgate, which are nice to have but not essential.What's Not So Good: Low Base Range, Slower Charging Than Kia Is Known ForThe EV3 is a stellar $35,000 EV, but the $30,000 model is a less compelling value. I say that mostly because of the range on offer; 221 miles pales in comparison to what you get in the Leaf or Bolt, which offer 303 and 262 miles, respectively. The company expects the majority of buyers to upgrade to the larger battery anyway, Young Kim, Kia North America's senior product planning manager, told me. The entry option will be for a "small subset" of customers, like those buying the EV3 as a second car or a short-distance commuter, he said.All versions of the EV3 also use a modified, 400-volt version of the Hyundai Motor Group's 800-volt E-GMP platform to cut down on costs, which makes sense. That decision means that while charging times aren't necessarily bad, though, they do fall short of the lightning-fast speeds we've come to expect from the brand's other EVs.2027 Kia EV3According to Kia, 10-80% happens in 29 minutes for cars with the small battery and 31 minutes for models with the larger one. (Peak charging power, Kia says, lands at 100 kW for the smaller battery and 127 for the long-range pack.) This splits the difference between the Bolt (25 minutes) and Leaf (35 minutes), but is more sluggish than the EV6's 18-minute sprint. Given that one of the EV3's biggest competitors may end up being lightly used EV6s and Hyundai Ioniq 5s, that could work against the little EV.While the Kia's digital interface is generally attractive and pretty intuitive, the section of the touchscreen that houses some of the climate controls is awkward to use. It's situated between the main display and the gauge cluster and is partially obscured by the steering wheel, making it tougher than necessary to adjust, for example, where the air is blowing on the fly. Kia partially makes up for it by including physical toggles for the fan speed and temperature.Early VerdictFor years, Americans have been clamoring for more affordable electric options. In that way, the EV3 marks a big step in the right direction. It's a well-rounded product that looks great and is, in EV-market terms at least, relatively inexpensive.The big question mark is just how many buyers are willing to put their money where their mouths are these days. Judging by the EV sales numbers overall, it's a lot fewer than before. Still, Kia has maintained that it's in the EV game for the long haul and positions the EV3 as a key entry point into the segment for more budget-conscious buyers. Bagnard, Kia's sales director, thinks the EV3 will do "very well," she told reporters last week.2027 Kia EV3Indeed, while the Bolt and Leaf haven't sold particularly well this year, the EV3 has a few key edges. It delivers more range than those cars and, unlike either of them, it offers an all-wheel-drive option and the sort of boxy styling Americans clearly love.In an era with fewer EV launches than anybody expected, Kia's newest option as a solid, much-needed option in the segment. In a difficult time for EVs, the EV3 could very well be the car that gets a lot more Americans to take the plunge.Contact the author: [email protected]More Recent Reviews2027 Kia Telluride Hybrid Review: Outclassed By The EV9?I Drove An Original Tesla Model S To See If It's Still Worth Buying In 2026I Think The Hyundai Ioniq 9 Is The Best Three-Row EV Value. But That Might Not Be EnoughI Used To Hate Giant EVs Like The Cadillac Escalade IQL. Then I Drove One2027 Kia EV3Base Price$29,890 (plus $1,495 destination)Battery58.1 kWh / 81.4 kWhCharge Time10-80% in 29 min / 31 minEV Range221 mi (FWD small pack) / 321 mi (FWD large pack) / 280 mi (AWD large pack)Output201 hp (FWD) / 261 hp (AWD) / 288 (GT AWD)Maximum torque209 lb-ft (FWD) / 284 lb-ft (AWD) / 385 lb-ft (GT AWD)