Kia has begun selling its small EV3 electric SUV in the United States, with the top-specification EV3 GT arriving with two motors, all-wheel drive, and 288 horsepower. This version starts at $45,890, offering a sporty option in the compact electric SUV segment without reaching the prices of higher-performance models such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N.
The EV3 has been available in Europe since late 2024, before its launch in the United States and Canada. The 2027 model’s price in the U.S. market starts at $29,890 for the Light version, equipped with a single electric motor and a standard 58.3-kilowatt-hour battery, with an EPA-estimated driving range of up to 221 miles.
Higher Performance with All-Wheel Drive
The EV3 comes standard with front-wheel drive, while all-wheel drive can be selected on the Wind, Land, and GT-Line versions. Front-wheel-drive versions produce 201 horsepower and 209 pound-feet of torque, with the ability to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.1 seconds.
The all-wheel-drive upgrade, which costs $3,200, adds a rear motor, raising total output to 261 horsepower and 284 pound-feet of torque. The EV3 GT produces 288 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque and can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.4 seconds.
The GT version includes Virtual Gear Shift and Active Sound Design systems, which simulate gear changes and engine sounds corresponding to changes in torque. Kia offers this experience in a manner similar to what the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N provides, but with a clear difference in performance; the IONIQ 5 N produces up to 641 horsepower when N Grin Boost is activated and accelerates to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds.
Design and Features Dedicated to the GT Version
The EV3 GT receives 19-inch GT wheels with a gloss-black finish and green caliper brakes, along with gloss-black accents on the front and rear bumpers, lower body cladding, and exterior styling specific to the GT version.
Inside, features include a 12-inch head-up display, sport seats, and a Harman Kardon audio system with eight speakers, in addition to other exclusive elements. All EV3 versions also come with Kia’s ccNC system, wireless support for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a total screen area of nearly 30 inches, including two 12.3-inch screens for the driver and infotainment, as well as a 5-inch climate-control screen.
What Makes It Practical?
Kia positions the EV3 GT between two different options in the market: a compact electric SUV with a sporty character and a price lower than that of ultra-high-performance cars, while retaining everyday-use features. All trims come with features such as i-Pedal 3.0 one-pedal driving, the V2L vehicle-to-load power supply function, and Smart Cruise Control, in addition to a native NACS charging port.
Depending on the battery used, the 58.3-kilowatt-hour battery can be charged from 10% to 80% in approximately 29 minutes using a 350-kilowatt DC charger, while the larger 81.4-kilowatt-hour battery takes approximately 31 minutes. The Hyundai IONIQ 5 N now starts at $59,900 after its recent price reduction, making the EV3 GT clearly less expensive, although Kia does not match it in power or acceleration.