Kia’s EV3 Steals the Show with High-End Specs and Low Price Tag

Kia’s entry-level electric vehicle EV3
Design and specifications unveiled
Some specifications exceed EV6

The barrier to entry into electric vehicles is getting lower. This is because the automobile industry has added entry-level models one by one and lowered the price of electric vehicles. Kia also raised expectations by announcing the launch of EV3, a compact SUV model, among its electric vehicle lineup.

Kia unveiled the EV3’s actual body and key specifications at a world premiere event at 7 p.m. on May 23, 2024. Even though it is Kia’s lowest electric car model, it shows superior performance in some areas to the EV6, the upper model, leading to some saying, ” It’s like the lower dominating the upper.”

Two types of batteries: long-range model can travel 311 miles

EV3 was developed based on Hyundai Motor Group’s electric vehicle-specific architecture E-GMP and equipped with a 4th generation battery. Regarding battery specifications, the long-range version will have an 81.4 kWh battery, and the standard version will have a 58.3 kWh one. The standard version, previously revealed through South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, has a range of 350 km (217 miles) on a single charge, based on front-wheel drive and 17-inch wheels.

On the other hand, the long-range version can run 501 km (311 miles) based on front-wheel drive and 17-inch wheels. The EV6 facelift model, which recently entered pre-order, has a range of 494 km (307 miles) without rear-wheel drive 19-inch wheels and built-in cam. Charging time is also realistic. According to Kia’s measurement results, using 350kW ultra-fast charging only takes 31 minutes to charge 10 to 80% based on the long-range version.

Product quality that is not typical of the entry-level model
Considerable effort was put into the bodywork

Even though it is an entry-level electric vehicle, much effort was put into making it envious of upper models. In particular, the delicate body design for comfortable driving stands out. Frequency-sensitive shock absorbers that minimize vibration transmitted from the road surface have been applied to both the front and rear wheels. The front wheel has featured hydro bushings that relieve shock and vibration from suspension components. In the case of the cowl cross bar that connects the car body and steering, steering vibration was reduced by increasing rigidity.

The steering wheel is the first in its segment to be equipped with a grip detection method that recognizes the state of being held with a touch. To create a quiet interior, the range of sound-absorbing materials used was expanded in the lower part of the car body, and double-laminated sound-insulating glass was used in the windshield and first-row windows. In addition, the thickness of the first and second rows of glass was increased, and the joints were strengthened.

Pre-orders start this coming June
What’s the expected actual purchase price?

To increase usability, the center console top table supports sliding in the 120 mm (4.7 inches) range. The loading capacity is 460L in the trunk and 25L in the trunk, which is not disappointing. In addition, EV3 is equipped with Kia AI Assistant, the first in Kia history to use generative AI technology. Kia AI Assistant supports vehicle use and entertainment, as well as travel and knowledge search based on natural language.

Kia plans to conduct pre-orders for the EV3 in Korea in early June 2024. The price consumers are most curious about will also be revealed now. However, according to major media reports, Kia President Song Ho-sung said that the actual purchase price of the EV3, reflecting subsidies, will start in the mid-30 million won (about mid-$20,000). The certification process is expected to be completed, and sales will begin in July 2024.