At the New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, Kia announced that its compact electric SUV, the EV3, will be available in the US “in late 2026.” The EV3 has been available overseas since 2024, when it launched in South Korea and Europe. The 2027 model coming to the US appears to have the same slightly boxy design as the current 2026 model, and it looks like Kia updated the center console to remove the much-mocked “chopping board” armrest in the original design. The North American version will also have a new glossy black “Nightfall” appearance package option.
The EV3 will be available in standard and long-range configurations, offering 220 and 320 miles per charge, respectively. Models with the larger long-range battery will also have an option for all-wheel drive. According to Kia, the EV3’s DC fast charging can refill the battery from 10 to 80 percent in as few 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 just the accelerator pedal. The i-Pedal can be activated or deactivated using shifters on the steering wheel. Inside, the EV3 features a panoramic dash display that includes dual 12.3-inch displays, plus a 5-inch climate display.
Additionally, the EV3 has a couple of features that let drivers use it to power other devices, with Vehicle to Load (V2L) and Vehicle to Home (V2H). V2L can be used to charge everything from a laptop to an e-bike. V2H, which requires a Wallbox bidirectional charging system, allows drivers to use the EV3 to power parts of their home. With a power recovery unit installed, V2H can even act as a backup power supply during outages.
Kia says it’s planning to announce pricing for the US version of the EV3 closer to its launch later this year, but it’s intended to be relatively affordable. However, the loss of electric vehicle tax credits last year could make affordability a bigger challenge than when the EV3 was initially announced in 2023.