The 2027 Kia EV3 Is like an EV9 That's Shape-Shifted into a Subcompact EV SUV

Published Tue, Oct 6, 2026

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Michael Simari|Car and Driver

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A modern white SUV parked in front of a building with large windows and a blue roof.

Michael Simari|Car and Driver

MSRP

HIGHS

Pleasant driving experience, competitive real-world range, spacious and upscale interior.

LOWS

Fast-charging isn’t as quick as in other EVs, AWD versions are more expensive than rivals.

VERDICT

The EV3 is one of our favorite affordable electric SUVs, and while its upper trims are more expensive than its competitors, it also offers more.

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EPA Est. Range

221–321 Miles

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Seating

5 Seats

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Powertrain

Electric

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Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive, Front-Wheel Drive

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Limited Warranty

5 Years/60,000 Miles

By Andrew Wendler

Overview

The latest model to join Kia’s rapidly growing EV family, the EV3 subcompact SUV is positioned below the Kia EV6, but stylistically is more in line with the larger Kia EV9 three-row SUV. It repackages the cute, blocky presence of the EV9 in a much smaller footprint, reimagining the EV9 in a small five-passenger package—but with a slightly softer and friendlier appearance.

Based on the 400-volt E-GMP platform, the EV3 offers two battery options, a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, and a claimed range of up to 321 miles. Inside, a 29.6-inch screen, comprised of a pair of 12.3-inch touchscreens and a five-inch climate control screen, relays all pertinent data. Overall, the EV3 does a convincing job of appearing as the EV9's mini-me.

Expert Tip: Kia killed the Niro EV so the EV3 could live, but there are still plenty of other subcompact EVs to choose from, including the resurrected for 2027 Chevrolet Bolt and Nissan Leaf.

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What's New for 2027?

Everything. The EV3 is new to the Kia lineup.

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Pricing and Which One to Buy

EV Motor, Power, and Performance

EV Motors: 201-hp single motor, 261-hp dual motor, 288-hp dual motor
Drivetrains: front-wheel-drive, all-wheel-drive

The EV3’s base Light trim uses the smaller 58.3 kWh battery to power the front wheels only. Models with the larger 81.4 kWh battery (standard on the GT-Line and GT, available on the Wind and Land trims) also offer an optional dual-motor setup with all-wheel drive good for 261 horsepower; the GT, however, gets a boost to 288 horsepower. Simulated performance audio sounds and faux gear shift software are available to spice things up. The GT gets a specific suspension tune for livelier handling to go with the increased output.

When we drove the EV3 GT-Line with the dual-motor setup, we came away impressed with its responsive handling, comfortable ride quality, and eager powertrain. A single-pedal driving mode is standard, and there are adjustable levels of regenerative braking that are activated by paddles on the steering wheel.

0-60–MPH Times

C/D 60-mph Test: 5.8 seconds (GT-Line AWD)

In Comparison: The Bolt and Leaf don’t offer dual-motor, all-wheel-drive versions like the EV3 does, so it’s nearly a second quicker to 60 mph than both of those models when equipped with this option. We haven’t yet tested the single-motor EV3, which is likely to be slower.

Range, Charging, and Battery Life

C/D Range Test: 250 miles (GT-Line AWD)
EPA EV Range: 221-321 miles

According to the EPA, the smaller 58.3 kWh battery is good for 221 miles of range. Models equipped with the larger 81.4 kWh battery have a maximum range of up to 321 miles. In our 75-mph real-world highway range test, the EV3 GT-Line with all-wheel drive achieved an impressive result of 250 miles, against an EPA rating of 280 miles.

Native charging uses a NACS charging port located on the front passenger side. In our DC fast-charging testing, the EV3 charged from 10 to 90 percent in 47 minutes, which isn’t as quick as in some competitors. Vehicle to Load (V2L) functionality is standard, allowing users to power devices and charge e-bikes, among other devices. Vehicle to Home (V2H) functionality is also available, allowing the EV3 to send power to the home during power outages. (V2H requires specialized updating of the home's electrical system to facilitate bidirectional operation.)

Fuel Economy and Real-World MPGe

EPA City Ratings: 110-131 MPGe
EPA Highway Ratings: 96-104 MPGe

The most efficient EV3 models are ones with front-wheel drive and the extended-range battery pack. Those models are rated by the EPA for 131 MPGe city, 104 MPGe highway, and 117 MPGe combined.

When we get a chance, we’ll take the EV3 on our highway fuel economy route and update this story with real-world test results. For more information about the EV3’s fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

First Row: The EV3’s interior design is stylish and contemporary, with smartly integrated tech features and plenty of conveniences. Cloth upholstery is standard but faux leather and suede options are also available. Dual-zone automatic climate control is standard on all models, but you have to upgrade to the Wind trim to get power adjustments for the driver’s seat.

Second Row: Passenger space in the back seat isn’t as generous as in the larger EV9 SUV, but a pair of adults should fit just fine so long as the front-seat occupants aren’t six-footers and can afford to scoot their seats up a little. Air vents on the back of the center console provide good airflow to the back, and the seatbacks can recline or fold in a 60/40 split.

Cargo Capacity: With the rear seats in use, there’s just over 26 cubic feet of cargo space in the EV3’s trunk. Fold the seats forward, and the cargo bay expands to 56.5 cubic feet. There is also a front trunk, but it’s quite small at less than one cubic foot of volume.

Infotainment and Connectivity

Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen
Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Audio System: 6-speaker stereo (standard), 8-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo (optional)

Similar to the setup in the EV9, two 12.3-inch screens are bisected by a separate five-inch climate control screen, all three positioned under a single panel to create a nearly 30-inch single continuous screen. Infotainment is in the center, the instrument cluster to the left, and climate controls in the middle. Only a few physical controls remain.

Wireless charging and a head-up display are available. Voice recognition is on hand to help drivers access data and apps, and in a somewhat Kubrickian statement, "deepen the human-to-machine interaction over time," according to Kia.

Safety and Driver-Assistance Features

The EV3 comes with several standard driver-assistance features, including systems such as blind-spot monitoring and automated emergency braking. Kia also offers a hands-free driving mode that's bundled with a more advanced version of adaptive cruise control.

Standard Safety Features: front automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, standard adaptive cruise control

For more information about the EV3's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty and Maintenance Coverage

Kia provides one of the best warranty plans in the industry. Unfortunately, unlike Hyundai, it doesn't come with any complimentary scheduled maintenance.

Limited Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
Powertrain Warranty: 10 years or 100,000 miles
Complimentary Maintenance: none

C/D Test Results and Specs

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed from when we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate.

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Specifications

Specifications

2027 Kia EV3 GT-Line
Vehicle Type: front- and rear-motor, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback

PRICE
Base/As Tested: $44,985/$45,805

POWERTRAIN
Front Motor: permanent-magnet synchronous AC, 168 hp, 148 lb-ft
Rear Motor: induction AC, 94 hp, 137 lb-ft
Combined Power: 261 hp
Combined Torque: 284 lb-ft
Battery Pack: liquid-cooled lithium-ion, 81 kWh
Peak Charge Rate, AC/DC: 11.5/127 kW
Transmissions, F/R: direct-drive

CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.8-in vented disc/12.8-in disc
Tires: Kumho Majesty 9 Solus TAT1
235/45R-19 99V M+S

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 105.5 in
Length: 169.7 in
Width: 72.8 in
Height: 62.2 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/45 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 57/26 ft3
Curb Weight: 4448 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.8 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.6 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 17.8 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 5.9 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 2.3 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 3.5 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 105 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.83 g

Interior Sound
Idle: 33 dBA/2 sone
Full Throttle: 69 dBA
70-mph Cruising: 67 dBA/22 sone

C/D FUEL ECONOMY AND CHARGING
Observed: 99 MPGe
75-mph Highway Range: 250 mi
Average DC Fast-Charge Rate, 10–90%: 90 kW
DC Fast-Charge Time, 10–90%: 47 min

EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 103/110/96 MPGe
Range: 280 mi

C/D TESTING EXPLAINED

More Features and Specs

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