2025 Kia EV3 to Supplant Niro as Flagship Entry-Level Electric Car

Kia today took the wraps off its newest electric car, the EV3, which it says will become the brand’s flagship EV for budget buyers and everyday driving.

“With the Kia EV3 we are delivering on a promise: a flagship EV experience for all,” says Kia.

The EV3 launches in the US in 2025, following 2024 launches in Korea and Europe. Kia is not sure yet if the vehicle will qualify for the $7,500 US federal tax credit, which hinges in part on the brand’s ability to produce it in the US.

Kia EV3 (Credit: Kia)

The 5-seat SUV will have around a 300-mile range, priced between $35,000 and $50,000. While that’s a wide range, Kia expects the EV3 to draw market share from its Niro EV, which starts at $39,600 as of this writing, for reference.

The Niro currently comes in three powertrains: hybrid ($26,940), plug-in hybrid ($34,390), and all-electric ($39,600). After the EV3 launch, Kia says the Niro will likely become the go-to option for hybrid shoppers. Kia did not comment on whether it will discontinue the all-electric Niro.

Kia Niro EV (Credit: Kia)

With five seats and front-wheel drive, the EV3 fits squarely in the compact SUV market for everyday drivers. It runs on a version of Kia’s e-GMP battery platform with front-wheel drive, which has less sporty performance and is lighter than the platform that powers the EV6 and EV9.

“Compared to the EV6 or EV9, which are more performance models, the EV3 is targeting mainstream EV buyers,” says Kia. But that’s not to say it’s not advanced; the EV3 is Kia’s first vehicle to launch with its adjustable regenerative braking tech, dubbed i-Pedal 3.0, which allows the driver to customize the resistance.

Kia EV3 30″ panorama dash (Credit: Kia)

The vehicle is “small in size” yet loaded with tech. A new voice assistant powered by a “heavily modified and customized” version of ChatGPT promises to “enhance productivity” for drivers by answering questions such as, “Hey Kia, can you recommend a good café nearby?” Volkswagen and Mercedes added a ChatGPT-powered assistant to their vehicles earlier this year as well.

A 12-inch head-up display provides key information on the windshield so drivers don’t have to look down at the 30-inch panoramic dash. It “detects nearby vehicles while the highway driving assist allows for a safe driving experience.” The dash also includes physical buttons for key controls such as cabin temperature.

EV3 12″ head-up display (Credit: Kia)

New premium streaming options will unlock in-car entertainment when the vehicle is parked or charging. Combined with an advanced sound system (likely an upgrade), Kia hopes to transform the car into a living room of sorts: “Cars are no longer just a means of transportation but an extension of our life space,” it says.

“We want the car to feel playful and fun, but at the same time it has to be thoughtful and functional,” EVP and Head of Kia Global Design Karim Habib said during the reveal.

Kia plans to add two more small, affordable EVs to its lineup in the near future, the EV4 and EV5.