The Kia EV3 crossover – a smaller sibling to the EV5 – has been officially teased ahead of its unveiling later this month.
The small electric SUV is due to be unveiled on May 23 before overseas sales begin in the third quarter of 2024 (July to September inclusive). Australian launch timing is yet to be announced.
Like the larger EV5 and EV9, the upcoming Kia EV3 will adopt the brand’s Opposites United design language, with its headlight and tail light signature reflecting what we’ve come to expect from its electric SUV lineup.
This extends to its boxy exterior bodywork, with squared-off rear wheel arches contrasting with a smooth front end and notched tailgate.
It’s expected the production EV3 won’t deviate too much from what was previewed by the Concept EV3 last year, and spy photos have shown the electric SUV will be closer in size to a Seltos than a Sportage.
As reported last month, Kia plans to offer its upcoming EV lineup with more energy-dense, long-range nickel cobalt manganese (NCM) batteries, as well as lithium iron phosphate (LFP) packs – both of which are intended to keep costs down.
EV3 prototype 
Concept EV3
While the Kia EV9 is exclusively powered by lithium-ion batteries in Australia, the smaller EV5 – which is underpinned by a different platform – uses an LFP battery pack.
There are no details on what platform the EV3 will be based on, though its size suggests it won’t offer more powerful motors or larger battery packs than the EV5.
Kia has yet to release dimensions for the production EV3, though it’s almost certain to be smaller than the 4615mm-long EV5 and could potentially be smaller than the 4420mm-long Niro.
While it could therefore become the smallest electric SUV from Kia, it won’t be the smallest EV. That title goes to the electric version of the Ray, a micro car sold in the Korean market.
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