MSRP: From ~$35,000
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Overview
The 2027 Kia EV3 subcompact electric SUV joins a crowded class, bringing Kia’s latest EV design language from the midsize EV9 to the smallest and most affordable EV segment. It comes in Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT trim levels, with either 58.3- or 81.4-kWh battery sizes, FWD or AWD, outputs ranging up to 288 horsepower, and a claimed range of up to 320 miles.
Nearly 30 inches of in-car screen real estate anchors the tech-heavy cabin, and other selling points include a standard NACS charging port for Tesla Supercharger access and vehicle-to-load capability, so the EV3 can serve as a power source. It’s aimed at buyers looking for strong range and modern tech in a subcompact format.
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What’s New for 2027
The 2027 EV3 is a brand-new car, taking up the spot vacated by the Niro EV in the subcompact segment. It debuted at the 2026 New York International Auto Show in April, ahead of sales starting in late 2026. The U.S. EV3’s version of the E-GMP platform uses a 400-volt electrical architecture across five trims, from the efficiency-focused Light to the 288-hp GT, which includes Active Sound Design and Virtual Gear Shift.
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Exterior
The EV3’s bold design reads like a downsized EV9, with sharp front-end details, angular LED DRLs, black roof pillars and body cladding, and dramatically styled wheel designs. The rear maintains Kia style continuity, with S-shaped LED taillights and a roof spoiler. The GT is set apart by green accents. The 0.275 Cd drag coefficient is very good, but trails the Nissan Leaf’s 0.26 Cd.
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Adam Lynton/Autoblog
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Interior
The cabin offers nearly 30 inches of screen real estate, made up of dual 12.3-inch displays for the gauge cluster and touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate touch display. Tech includes wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, navigation, and available surround-view and blind-spot-view monitors. The GT’s sportier cabin comes with front bucket seats and neon-green accents. Space utilization is a strong point, though we’re still awaiting the numbers.
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Price Range and Best Value Trim
The 2027 Kia EV3’s price has not yet been announced at the time of writing, but most reports indicate a starting price of around $35,000.
| Trim | Price |
| Base trim: Light | ~$35,000 projected |
| Top trim: GT | ~$49,000 projected |
| Best value trim: To be determined | – |
The Light is likely to be the best value in the lineup, while the long-range Wind FWD caters to range-focused buyers.
2027 Kia EV3 Specs Overview
Kia is still to confirm all the powertrain details, but here’s what we know so far:
Powertrain and Battery Options
| Powertrain | System hp | Battery (kWh) | Drivetrain |
| Light (standard range) | 201 | 58.3 | FWD |
| Wind long-range FWD | Not officially confirmed | 81.4 | FWD |
| GT-Line Long-range AWD | 261 | 81.4 | AWD |
| GT AWD | 288 | 81.4 | AWD |
Range and Efficiency (MPGe / MPG / Electric Range)
EPA figures weren’t available at the time of writing, but Kia’s estimates include a range of 220 miles on the FWD Light with the 58.3-kWh battery and a maximum range of 320 miles for FWD models using the 81.4-kWh battery. We’ll have to wait until the MPGe figures and complete range info are released.
Charging
The EV3’s standard built-in NACS charging port gives the car access to the Tesla Supercharger network without an adapter, and Plug and Charge is standard. According to Kia estimates, the 58.3-kWh battery can be replenished from 10-80% in 29 minutes, but the 81.4-kWh battery takes only two minutes longer to do the same. The EV3 uses a 400V architecture and not the 800V architecture of larger Kias, but its numbers are still competitive in this class, and very similar to the charging speed of the Toyota C-HR. Vehicle-to-load capability is standard, enabling you to use your EV3 as an electrical power source for external devices.
Performance and 0-60 MPH
Kia has not released official performance figures, and no EV3s have been tested at the time of writing, so we’ll update this section when more information becomes available. The top-performing EV3 is the 288-hp GT AWD, which should be able to reach 60 MPH in six seconds. Other AWD trims have 261 hp, and the Light comes with 201 hp. The output of the long-range FWD Wind has not been confirmed.
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Dimensions
The EV3 is similar in size to the outgoing subcompact Niro EV, but Kia has not provided full official U.S. dimensions; the numbers below are estimates based on currently available information:
| Dimension | Measurement |
| Length | ~169.3 in |
| Width | ~72.8 in |
| Height | ~61.4 – 61.8 in |
| Wheelbase | ~105.5 in |
Interior Space (Front and Rear)
No figures have as yet been released by Kia, but the EV3 looks and feels very spacious inside, and full-size adults fit comfortably, even in the second row.
| Measurement | Detail |
| Seating capacity | 5 |
| Detailed dimensions | Not published by Kia |
Cargo Space
Based on currently available information, the U.S. EV3 is expected to provide 26.1 cu-ft of cargo space with the rear seat in use and 56.5 cu-ft with it folded down – strong figures that virtually match those of the Toyota C-HR. There’s also a small frunk of about 0.9 cu-ft.
Ground Clearance
Reports suggest that the EV3 has no more than about 5.5 to 5.7 inches of ground clearance, so it’s a rather low-riding crossover more in line with a passenger car than an SUV. It should be fine in rainy and snowy conditions, and the AWD will provide optimized traction in treacherous weather, but there isn’t enough clearance to confidently traverse rough roads.
Warranty
Kia’s industry-leading limited and powertrain warranties also apply to the EV3:
| Coverage | Term |
| Limited | 5 years / 60,000 miles |
| Powertrain | 10 years / 100,000 miles |
| EV battery | ~8 years / 100,000 miles |
| Complimentary maintenance | Not included |
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Up to 320 miles of estimated range
- Affordable projected pricing
- Standard NACS port and vehicle-to-load power
- Nearly 30 inches of displays
- Available AWD and a sporty GT
Cons:
- Pricing not yet official
- EPA range, MPGe, and AWD range not released
- 400-volt charging slower than 800-volt rivals
- Several specs not yet published
Verdict
It looks like the Kia EV3 will be one of the most compelling subcompact electric crossovers. If the $35K starting price and maximum 320-mile range pan out, it already has rivals like the Toyota C-HR beat, while offering V2L ability that the C-HR and Subaru Uncharted don’t offer. The 400V electrical architecture is slower than that of some rivals, but it still produces competitive charging times, and the standard NACS port sweetens the deal. At first blush, the EV3 looks to have what it takes to take the fight to the class leaders.
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About the author
Cobus F. Potgieter
Reviews and Features Editor