Automotive News Europe — 2024-05-10
Automotive Industry
The EV3 compact SUV may be built for European markets at Kia's plant in Slovakia.
Kia's new compact full-electric SUV, the EV3, will stay close to the concept version unveiled in 2023, new images suggest.
Teaser images released by the company ahead of the official unveil 23 May 2024 show similar angular lines and lighting details used by the Concept EV3 revealed in October 2023.
The EV3 continues the same design theme used by Kia on the EV9 large SUV, which went on sale in Europe in 2023. It also shares details with the smaller EV5 midsize electric SUV that was launched last year (2023) aimed predominantly at the Chinese market.
The EV3 will go on sale in Europe later in 2024, Kia said.
The car will compete against the new Ford Explorer electric compact SUV, as well the Volkswagen ID4. It will sit above the Niro EV in Kia's lineup.
Kia has not disclosed where it will build the EV3, although it said in October 2023 that Europe will be a focus for the production of "small and medium-sized EVs." Kia has a car plant in Slovakia that could be a possible production location.
The EV3 is expected to be based on the same Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) used by the EV5 and EV9 as well as the current EV6 midsize crossover.
Kia could also launch a smaller, entry level full-electric car that would be called the EV2 and built in Europe starting in 2025. Its target retail price would be $25,000 and it would compete with affordable small electric SUVs planned by European brands such as the Renault 5 and VW ID2.