Kia’s compact EV3 is coming to the US this year, with 320 miles of range

On Wednesday at the New York International Auto Show, Kia announced that its compact electric SUV, the EV3, would be available in the United States “in late 2026.” The EV3 has been available overseas since 2024, when it was launched in South Korea and Europe. The 2027 model coming to the U.S. appears to have the same slightly boxy design as the current 2026 model, and it appears Kia has updated the center console to remove the much-mocked “cutting board” armrest in the original design. The North American version will also have a new “Nightfall” gloss black appearance package option.

The EV3 will be available in standard and long-range configurations, offering 220 and 320 miles per charge, respectively. Models with a larger long-range battery will also have an all-wheel drive option. According to Kia, the EV3’s DC fast charging can recharge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as little as 29 minutes for standard range or 31 minutes for long range.

The EV3 also includes Kia’s i-Pedal 3.0, which allows drivers to control their speed using only the accelerator pedal. The i-Pedal can be activated or deactivated using the paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Inside, the EV3 has a panoramic dashboard that includes two 12.3-inch screens, as well as a 5-inch climate screen.

Additionally, the EV3 has a few features that allow drivers to use it to power other devices, with Vehicle to Load (V2L) and Vehicle to Home (V2H). The V2L can be used to charge everything from a laptop to an electric bike. V2H, which requires a Wallbox two-way charging system, allows drivers to use the EV3 to power parts of their home. With an energy recovery unit installed, V2H can even serve as a backup power supply in the event of an outage.

Kia says it plans to announce prices for the U.S. version of the EV3 closer to its launch later this year, but they are intended to be relatively affordable. However, the loss of electric vehicle tax credits last year could make affordability more difficult than when EV3 was initially announced in 2023.