Kia unveils EV3 concept: A tiny electric SUV with big potential

Kia aims at entering the electric vehicle market with the stylish EV3, eyeing global expansion

Kia, the South Korean automotive giant, is making a bold entrance into the electric vehicle (EV) market with ambitious plans to sell one million EVs annually by 2026, eventually increasing that number to 1.6 million by 2030. As part of this grand vision, Kia recently unveiled the EV3 concept during its EV Day event in South Korea.

While the EV3 is still technically a concept, Kia has confirmed that it will go into production. Although its availability in the U.S. is yet to be determined, Kia anticipates that the EV3 will find its way into major global markets, including North America. Even more exciting, the production version of the EV3 is expected to closely resemble the concept, as confirmed by Karim Habib, Kia’s head of global design.

The subcompact SUV boasts a sleek and distinctive design, resembling a scaled-down version of Kia’s larger EV5 and EV9 models. Notable features include pronounced wheel arches housing stylish four-spoke wheels and unique LED light signatures at the front and rear, displaying intricate geometric patterns, akin to the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6.

What sets the EV3 apart is its innovative interior design. The rear doors are rear-hinged, providing a wide, unobstructed view of the cabin when both front and rear doors are open. While the rear-hinged doors are currently conceptual, there is hope they may make their way to production vehicles in the future, according to Habib.

Inside the EV3, the climate control panel slides out from beneath the dashboard, and the air vents are equipped with motorized components to direct airflow effectively. The car features a movable center console between the front seats that can be adjusted to serve as a table.

In the rear, the EV3’s rear bench has a unique feature; it can flip upward, creating a flat load floor for carrying tall items—a concept reminiscent of Honda’s old Magic Seats. Kia is also working on incorporating a vehicle-to-load charging system into the EV3, allowing owners to charge devices or e-bikes on the go, further enhancing the SUV’s practicality.

While specific powertrain details are yet to be disclosed, the EV3 will be built on Kia’s versatile E-GMP architecture. In contrast to larger Kia EV models like the EV6 and EV9, the EV3 will rely on a 400-volt architecture, similar to the EV5. Kia has not provided a definitive release date for the EV3, but given the popularity of small SUVs both in the U.S. and around the world, it’s likely to gain attention and contribute to Kia’s goal of selling one million EVs annually by 2026.