Kia has confirmed their smaller electrical SUV, the EV3 is headed to Australia in 2025. Kia’s mid-sized electrical SUV the EV5 is due later this yr and the massive electrical SUV, the EV9 was launched final yr.
Kia has revealed the complete particulars of the brand new Kia EV3, the corporate’s devoted compact EV SUV. With its mixture of daring design, progressive expertise, and groundbreaking options, the EV3 units new requirements by no means earlier than seen in the compact EV SUV sector.
Drawing on Kia’s superior expertise and buyer-centered values of the model’s bigger, multi-award-profitable EV9 SUV, the EV3 carves out its personal id. It brings a novel, immersive expertise to the compact EV SUV sector. By considerably exceeding prospects’ expectations, the EV3 will broaden its enchantment and elevate the notion of EV SUVs.
“By providing groundbreaking design, an industry-leading electric drivetrain, and practical, innovative lifestyle solutions, the EV3 aims to extend Kia’s exceptional EV SUV experience to a wider audience. With a WLTP driving range of up to 600km and fast-charging capability, the EV3 addresses common concerns about electric vehicles. It will reassure those who may have been hesitant to make the switch to electric mobility and will lead the mass adoption of EVs,”
Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia.
Exterior Design: A daring and progressive assertion
Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, which harnesses the inventive stress generated by the divergent values of nature and modernity to ship a harmonious entire, was central to the formation of the Kia EV3’s progressive, dynamic, and dramatic design. The philosophy’s affect elevates the EV3’s emotional really feel and atmosphere, seamlessly combining dynamic aesthetics with considerate performance.
“The EV3 embodies our design philosophy perfectly – a combination of playful design combined with thoughtful functionality. Though compact, the inspiring exterior envelops an open interior space that emphasises restorative relaxation for every journey. Its future-facing aesthetic is further emboldened by the choice of daring colours; inside, the spacious cabin and the incorporation of new organic materials express a youthful sense of energy and playfulness,”
Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design.
The EV3 exudes a extremely assertive presence. At the entrance, vertical headlamps positioned on the extremes of the clear-floor facial space contribute to the creation of a large, extremely-assured stance. A way of ample spatial quantity combines with differentiated graphics and a muscular look that harmonises with the complete physique.
A brand new, strong interpretation of Kia’s iconic Tiger Face design incorporates the model’s newest Star Map signature lighting idea. Arranged vertically, the Daytime Running Lights (DRLs) additional emphasise the Tiger Face design to challenge a extremely assured character.
In profile, the EV3 tasks an aura of outstanding power, mixed with a robust impression of agility and dynamism. The lengthy, sloping, glossy roofline seamlessly transitions right into a hatchback-type tailgate, additional portraying the extremely technical physique design. The dynamic silhouette and voluminous cabin ship a spacious inside, whereas the distinctive interlocking volumes and graphics additional intensify its progressive nature.
The rear facet completes the EV3’s excessive-tech type language and purposeful stance. The thick black trim line emphasising the connection between the SUV’s sturdy C-pillar design and the dynamic roofline additional enhances the automobile’s sense of power. The simplified, geometric rear lamp design seamlessly integrates with the rear glass, framing a futuristic tailgate design with a large, technical, and glossy look impressed by the Tiger Face Star Map entrance lighting signature.
Kia gives the EV3 in 9 physique colors – two of which have been created solely for the brand new mannequin: Aventurine Green and Terracotta.
The EV3 GT-line expresses an much more rugged and adventurous look. At the entrance, the automobile’s contrasting decrease physique trim additional enhances the dynamic design, whereas the built-in decrease bumper creates a sportier, extra refined look. Technical vertical and horizontal graphics specific a bolder picture in distinction with the automobile’s giant black-clad areas. This remedy can be mirrored on the rear, with a attribute triangle wing configuration on the decrease bumper, making a equally aggressive impact.
Interior design: Nature-inspired aesthetic to boost wellbeing
The EV3’s inside design gives a spacious cabin that comfortably accommodates 5 individuals. Kia has created a extremely practical and efficient cabin that exudes an interesting residing area-like atmosphere, designed to be loved by occupants on each journey and when the automobile is charging.
An elegant centre console incorporates a sliding desk and storage space. The decrease space can retailer drinks, snacks, and even small backpacks, whereas private digital objects – akin to laptops and tablets – will be positioned on the desk when the automobile is stationary.
Along with multi-adjustable ambient lighting and extremely-comfy seats, which incorporate a fold-again leisure mode, the sliding desk allows occupants to get pleasure from most leisure when parked. With a 25-liter frunk and a 460-liter rear load capability, the EV3 gives the most important baggage area in its class. The adjustable two-tier baggage board offers over 140mm of load top flexibility, making it sensible for actions like household tenting journeys.
A close to-30-inch widescreen show – together with a 12.3-inch cluster, a 5-inch air-conditioning panel, and one other 12.3-inch AVN show – incorporates seamless contact operation of the local weather management performance and offers clear graphics and intuitive info to the driving force. The display additionally extends to the centre of the dashboard, giving the entrance-seat passenger entry to leisure and navigation options.
Many of the EV3’s capabilities, together with drive mode, cruise management, leisure, and navigation, will be accessed and managed by a easy contact of the steering wheel buttons. A seamless row of buttons under the central display intuitively operates varied capabilities like mapping, media, and automobile system configuration.
Customers have a big selection of inside colors, supplies, and trim finishes impressed by Air, Earth, and Water components. Options embrace Subtle Grey, Warm Grey, Blue, whereas Onyx Black is accessible solely on GT-line trim.
As with each new Kia, the EV3 incorporates varied sustainable objects to speed up sustainability at scale. Recycled cloth is utilized to the dashboard and door trims to create an intimate and residential-like atmosphere. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which is among the many most simply recycled plastics in the world, options in quite a few areas of the inside, together with the seats, headliner, door armrests, garnish, ground mats, and baggage board.
Electric drivetrain: Exemplary vary and extremely-quick charging
The EV3 measures 4,300mm lengthy, 1,850mm vast, 1,560mm excessive and has a wheelbase of two,680mm. It contains a state-of-the-artwork entrance-wheel drive electrical powertrain primarily based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), utilising Kia’s fourth-era battery expertise. The EV3 Standard mannequin is obtainable solely with a 58.3kWh battery, whereas the EV3 Long Range variant is fitted with an 81.4kWh battery.
Both fashions utilise a 150kW/283Nm electrical motor, which allows a finest 0-100km/h acceleration time of seven.5 seconds. The EV3’s most velocity is 170km/h.
“The Kia EV3 has been designed and engineered to meet the needs of customers who want a car that matches their sustainability values but do not want to compromise their practical everyday needs. It provides one of the best living and luggage sizes in its class, while our flexible E-GMP architecture delivers a best-in-class AER driving range.
With the EV3, Kia has redefined the EV SUV segment to create a compact model that is comprehensively equipped with innovative technology and features,”
Spencer Cho, Vice President and Head of Global Business Planning.
As with the bigger EV9 SUV, Kia’s engineers have left no stone unturned in the pursuit of optimum effectivity with the EV3. It options enhanced physique aerodynamics, incorporating a full 3D undercover to ship an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.263 Cd. State-of-the-artwork Battery Management Unit (BMU) and Cell Monitoring Unit (CMU) expertise ensures the 58.3kWh and 81.4kWh High-Voltage Battery Systems use vitality as effectively as attainable.
The EV3 Long Range offers an estimated vary of as much as 600km (WLTP). This spectacular flexibility offers these taking their first foray into electrical mobility full confidence to sort out lengthy journeys. When the EV3’s battery finally wants replenishing, occupants can calm down in the consolation of the residing area-like inside as Kia’s superior Vehicle Charging Management System allows the battery to cost from 10-80 p.c in roughly 31 minutes.
Large electrical SUV expertise and security in the compact sector
Kia has outfitted the EV3 with a raft of extremely-superior security, driving, comfort and charging options normally reserved for the massive EV SUV sector. This creates an enhanced possession proposition that considerably exceeds what’s at the moment supplied in the prevailing compact SUV sector and offers a transformative and superior driving expertise in contrast with Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) automobiles.
The automobile’s Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) expertise contains eDTVC Electric Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control to make sure the EV3 transfers its energy to the highway easily and stably. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Highway Driving Assist, and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist present further help and reassurance for drivers on each journey, regardless of how lengthy or quick.
Kia’s Remote Smart Parking Assist allows homeowners to manoeuvre the EV3 confidently and safely into and out of tight areas with out the driving force having to sit down in the automobile. Bringing additional worth to the compact EV SUV sector, the 12-inch Head-up Display (HUD) tasks info on the windshield to minimise driver distraction.
The EV3 is the primary mannequin to profit from Kia’s new i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking expertise, which permits the driving force to regulate the extent of regenerative braking in line with their choice, enabling one-pedal driving. This maximises vitality effectivity and noticeably reduces fatigue on lengthy drives, enabling the automobile to journey additional on a single cost and making the journey extra participating, fulfilling, and cozy.
With the EV3, Kia is the primary producer to deliver Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging to the compact EV SUV section, giving occupants the liberty and adaptability to energy exterior gadgets akin to laptops, small fridges, espresso machines or hairdryers. Kia’s Digital Key 2.0 allows prospects to keep away from the trouble of carrying round bodily keys by unlocking and beginning the EV3 utilizing solely their smartphone or smartwatch. They may conveniently share the EV3’s digital key with family and friends.
Delivering new ranges of progressive expertise and digital connectivity
To complement the transformative expertise offered by the residing area-like inside, Kia has outfitted the EV3 with a holistic suite of connectivity and leisure options. Most of those are designed to be loved safely whereas the automobile is on the transfer, whereas others will be skilled solely when the automobile is stationary and Park is chosen.
Kia offers varied streamable content material by way of its Premium Streaming service, delivered through LG’s Automotive Content Platform (ACP) powered by webOS. Kia additionally gives arcade video games, permitting occupants to get pleasure from in-car gaming. The immersive expertise is additional enhanced by the sound high quality of the EV3’s Harman Kardon audio system, which delivers an expertise akin to a house cinema.
“Cars are no longer just a means of transportation but an extension of our ‘life space.’ Developed with numerous customer-centric innovations, the EV3 offers our customers an immersive content consumption experience with our premium streaming services and class-leading sound system.
Providing the ability to digitally customise the EV3’s interior through the Kia Connect Store in the same way one would personalise a smartphone, alongside the introduction of Kia’s AI Assistant these examples further highlight how the EV3 responds to customers’ ever-evolving needs.”
Chang Sung Ryu, Senior Vice President and Head of Global Brand & CX.
The EV3 allows occupants to personalise their automobile’s dashboard and infotainment system with NBA staff-impressed Display Themes. These themes showcase the groups’ colors, graphics, and animations and are simply accessible by way of the digital Kia Connect Store. Kia plans to develop the collection of show themes in the long run, offering much more choices for customization.
The EV3 is the primary EV mannequin to characteristic Kia’s AI Assistant expertise, which just lately made its debut on the Kia K4 compact sedan. This expertise offers prospects with new and progressive methods to work together with and management the automobile’s options immediately and intuitively, enhancing comfort and optimising productiveness throughout their time in the automobile. This human-like assistant will at all times help and encourage customers as they discover the world. Kia will quickly start the rollout of those options throughout different EV fashions, beginning with the EV3.
With the combination of generative AI, Kia’s voice assistant is now much more succesful. Generative AI comprehends advanced contexts by way of pure language understanding, enabling it to converse naturally with customers. The AI assistant can help journey planning whereas guiding prospects to get pleasure from optimum advantages from the automobile’s capabilities, together with leisure and data search.
Set to be carried out in mass manufacturing in South Korea initially, Kia plans to develop AI Assistant’s area and companies in Europe. This expertise is consistently evolving and can unlock additional advantages for prospects in the long run.
Kia’s world marketing campaign for the EV3: ‘A moving power’
Kia is ready to embark on a collection of worldwide marketing campaign actions, encapsulated by the assertion ‘a moving power.’ This assertion speaks to the corporate’s dedication to innovation by way of reducing-edge design and expertise, in addition to its dedication to develop its providing. The introduction of the EV3 will ship extra sustainable, environment friendly, and handy mobility to boost EV accessibility for all.
The EV3 will likely be launched first in Korea in July 2024, adopted by its European launch in the second half of the yr. Kia has plans to additional develop the gross sales of EV3 into different areas, with subsequent launches to be anticipated after the European market entry.