Kia has begun launching its compact EV3 electric vehicle in the United States, with the 2027 model starting at $29,890. This places the new vehicle at approximately the same price as the updated Kia Niro Hybrid, and nearly $10,000 below the price of the 2026 Niro EV, which starts at $39,700.
The EV3 follows its success in Europe, the United Kingdom, and other markets, becoming the least expensive electric vehicle in Kia’s lineup and one of the least expensive EVs in the U.S. market, according to the source material. Meanwhile, Kia confirmed that the 2027 Niro will be offered exclusively with a hybrid powertrain, after the 2026 model was available with all-electric, plug-in hybrid, and conventional hybrid options.
Two Batteries and Five Trim Levels
The EV3 is available in five trim levels: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT. The front-wheel-drive Light version uses a 58.3-kilowatt-hour battery, with an EPA-estimated range of up to 221 miles on a single charge. The other trims use a larger 81.4-kilowatt-hour battery and offer up to 321 miles of range.
Front-wheel-drive versions rely on a front electric motor producing 201 horsepower. All trims except Light can be equipped with all-wheel drive for $3,200, while the dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces a total of 261 horsepower. The EV3 GT increases output to 288 horsepower.
What Changes in Practice?
All EV3 trims use an integrated NACS port, allowing them to use Tesla Superchargers without a separate adapter. With a 350-kilowatt DC fast charger, the standard battery takes approximately 29 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, while the larger battery requires about 31 minutes, according to the figures provided in the source.
The vehicle uses Kia’s ccNC infotainment system, with nearly 30 inches of total screen space. The design includes a curved panoramic display combining the instrument cluster and infotainment screen, each measuring 12.3 inches, along with a separate 5-inch climate-control display.
An Electric Alternative to the Niro
The EV3 is approximately 169.3 inches long, making it 4.7 inches shorter and one inch wider than the Niro EV, with a 105.5-inch wheelbase. Despite its different exterior dimensions, the source says the dedicated electric E-GMP platform helps it provide interior space comparable to the Niro EV, with a total interior volume of up to 99.7 cubic feet according to the SAE standard.
The significance of the launch is that Kia is not merely introducing a new electric vehicle, but repositioning its compact EV at a price point closer to hybrid vehicles. Its maximum range of 321 miles, integrated NACS port, and all-wheel-drive option also make comparisons with other compact EVs more relevant to real-world use rather than price alone.
However, the base price applies to the Light trim with the smaller battery and front-wheel drive, while the larger battery or all-wheel drive requires moving to higher trims or paying an additional cost. The source does not provide information about incentives or the final price after taxes and fees, so $29,890 cannot be considered the actual purchase cost for all buyers.