The Kia EV3 has arrived in the Australian market as a highly anticipated entry-level electric SUV, bringing many of the premium features from its larger siblings into a more compact and affordable package. Positioned as a direct competitor to EVs like the BYD Atto 3 and the GWM Ora, the EV3 is designed to make electric car ownership both stylish and practical.

Despite its relatively small footprint—measuring just 4.3 meters long—the EV3’s interior is surprisingly spacious and versatile. Kia has masterfully utilized the car’s architecture to create a comfortable and modern “living space” for occupants. It’s also packed with thoughtful design elements and technology, including a massive panoramic screen that combines a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen.

A key part of what makes the EV3 so impressive is its platform. While it’s based on the same E-GMP architecture as the EV6 and EV9, the EV3 utilizes a 400V system to help keep costs down, making it more accessible to a wider range of buyers. All variants are powered by a single front-mounted electric motor delivering 150 kW and 283 Nm of torque, which provides a lively and responsive driving experience. The EV3 is also equipped with a Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) feature, a rarity in this segment, allowing the car to power external devices.

The Australian lineup currently consists of four front-wheel-drive variants. These are the Air Standard Range with a 58.3 kWh battery and a WLTP range of 436 km, and the Air Long Range, Earth Long Range, and GT-Line Long Range, which all feature a larger 81.4 kWh battery. This bigger battery gives the Air Long Range an impressive WLTP range of up to 604 km, while the Earth and GT-Line variants get 563 km due to their larger wheels.

For those who want even more performance, Kia has confirmed that a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive EV3 GT variant is also in the pipeline. While it won’t be available this year, its eventual arrival promises to bring a high-performance option to the compact electric SUV segment, further cementing the EV3’s position as a game-changer in the Australian market.