New 2024 Kia EV3: Price, specs and release date

Kia has announced pricing and specs for the new Kia EV3, an electric SUV that aims to shake up the small SUV sector.

The new Kia EV3 immediately stands out thanks to its distinctive styling, which brings the squared-off look of the award-winning Kia EV9 into a much more accessible sector.

With prices starting at £32,995, and a battery range of up to 372 miles, the new Kia EV3 shold provide stern competition to rivals. It's on sale now with deliveries by the end of the year.

The new Kia EV3 is set to go head-to-head with the Volvo EX30, along with other small electric SUVs such as the new MINI Aceman, Smart #1, Jeep Avenger and the upcoming electric Ford Puma Gen-e.

New 2024 Kia EV3: price and release date

The new Kia EV3 is on sale now and the first cars should arrive here before the end of 2024. 

The new Kia EV3 prices are very competitive, with the entry-level EV3 Air model starting from £32,995 with the smaller 58kWh battery or from £35,995 with the larger 81kWh battery. The mid-spec GT-Line trim starts at £39,495 and the top GT-Line S model starts at £42,995, both of which are only available with the larger battery.

New 2024 Kia EV3: exterior and interior

The new Kia EV3 is a refreshingly bold and modern-looking new small family SUV. It brings the styling cues of the large Kia EV9 – which Kia calls ‘Opposites United’ – into a more compact family SUV segment.

At the front, the new Kia EV3’s sleek vertical headlights are positioned at the far ends of the vehicle. They give it a distinctively wide and confident stance. The front end design has a new interpretation of the Kia Tiger Face family look, set off by the latest Star Map LED lighting signature.

The new Kia EV3’s clean, aerodynamic appearance is further enhanced by smart new colours including this eye-catching Aventurine Green – a colour unique to the new Kia EV3.

From the side, the new Kia EV3’s long wheelbase places the wheels right into the corners for maximum space efficiency. This also give it a confident stance, and we love some of the ultra-modern alloy wheel designs Kia will offer.

The new Kia EV3 has a long and sloping roofline, which blends into the rear hatchback. The side profile also shows off the very bold lines including the squared-off, bulging wheel arches. The GT-Line version pictured here features an extended gloss black lower section, enhancing the appearance yet further.

Inside, the new Kia EV3 has a clean and spacious interior that is packed with cool and modern design touches. The centrepiece is a combined widescreen display, which stretches nearly 30 inches across the dashboard. It comprises a 12.3-inch driver display, 5.3-inch climate control panel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen display.

The new Kia EV3’s infotainment system is fully connected and features over-the-air updates. It is also the first Kia EV to feature the firm’s AI Assistant technology. This uses generative AI to process and understand voice commands, meaning owners can interact far more easily with their new Kia EV3.

Pleasingly, for those who would rather have physical buttons, the new Kia EV3 has a row of buttons below the central screen for operating mapping, media and vehicle configuration, along with a series of buttons on the steering wheel.

The new Kia EV3 has a practical new centre console design, featuring a sliding table and storage area. The table is ideal for working on laptops while charging, and the storage area is big enough for small backpacks, as well as road trip snacks.

For those who prefer to snooze while charging, the new Kia EV3’s front seats feature a fold-back relaxation mode.

In the rear, the new Kia EV3 will be roomy enough for adults, while the boot has a 460-litre capacity which is the largest in its class. With the rear seats folded, it expands to 1250 litres. There is also a 25-litre front boot for storing charging cables.

The new Kia EV3 measures 4300mm long, 1850mm wide and 1560mm tall. This makes it around 70mm longer than a Volvo EX30. It is based on the Kia Electric Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP.

New 2024 Kia EV3: range and performance

The new Kia EV3 electric SUV will launch in front-wheel drive guise. This will be the most efficient version. There will be a choice of two battery sizes: 58.3kWh standard range or 81.4kWh long range.

The long-range battery in the new Kia EV4 has a range of up to 372 miles in the entry-level Air model, and although that drops in higher-spec models, due to their extra equipment, the 347 miles they'll do on a single battery charge is still impressive.

The standard-range battery will manage up to 267 miles on a full charge, so even this more affordable version will be ample for many. 

Ultra-fast charging will allow the new EV3 to charge from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes. The speed is 102kW for the standard-range model and 128kW on long-range versions. Top-spec GT-Line S models will allow Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging too, so owners can use their new Kia EV3 to power external devices such as laptops, coffee machines or hairdryers.

The new Kia EV3 will produce 204PS in launch guise. It will accelerate from 0-62mph in 7.5 seconds and have a top speed of 105mph. It will also feature a new ‘i-Pedal 3.0’ regenerative braking system, giving drivers the option of one-pedal driving.

More versions are expected to follow later, including a dual-motor version with all-wheel drive.

The new Kia EV3 will also come with plenty of safety assist tech, which the firm says is “usually reserved for the large EV SUV sector”. Clever gadgets include remote smart parking assist, allowing owners to move the new Kia EV3 in and out of tight spaces without having to sit in the vehicle.

New 2024 Kia EV3: trim levels

There are three trim levels in the new Kia EV3: Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. All have a strong standard specification level.

The entry-level Air trim, which rides on 17-inch alloy wheels, comes with a choice of either battery, comes as standard with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and steering wheel, and a reversing camera. Keyless entry and start/stop is inclluded, as are a range of safety systems including blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic avoidance assist and adaptive cruise control.

Upgrade to GT-Line and you'll get 19-inch alloys and sportier GT-Line exterior styling, as well as upgraded LED headlights. Inside, customisable ambient lighting and a wireless phone charger are included, as well as a sliding console for extra storage versatility.

The GT-Line S model adds an eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system and a head-up display, as well as a tilting and sliding sunroof. The front seats are electrically adjustable and upgraded to what Kia call "premium relaxation seats", while the outer rear seats are also heated. At the back there's an electric tailgate, while a blind-spot view monitor lets you see an image of your blind-spot on the car's digital display. A remote parking system is also including, which lets you park your car into tight spots from the outside.

Find a used Kia Soul EV for sale

The Kia Soul EV is the electric predecessor of the new Kia EV3, with similarly boxy and distinctive styling. There were two versions, and we prefer the most recent model, which has modern looks and a high-tech interior. Amazingly, you can get a 2021 used Kia Soul EV from around £15,000, with plenty of choice under £20,000. 

Looking for more new car news?

If you like the new Kia EV3, another new small electric SUV that may be of interest is the new MINI Aceman. And if you're after a bargain electric SUV, you're in luck. We have news here at heycar on how the new Vauxhall Mokka Electric is more than £7k cheaper, and how £5k has been cut from the Honda e:Ny1. In other news, the new Ford Puma is a refreshed version of Ford’s best-selling new car that arrives in time for spring 2024. Meanwhile, Kia really has been busy recently, with a facelifted Kia Picanto city car and an updated Kia EV6 premium car. 

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