New Kia EV3 Teased In Production Form, May Start From Around $30,000 In The U.S.

It’s only been six months since the Kia EV3 Concept was showcased, and already, the Korean carmaker has teased the upcoming production-ready version of its compact electric SUV.

Much like the EV9 and EV5 that came before it, the EV3 will look almost identical to the study that previewed it. A trio of teasers released by Kia reveals that their newest model will have similarly aggressive LED taillights as its siblings but have a slightly less upright rear fascia and an angled rear window. These lights were previewed with the EV3 Concept and are almost unchanged for the production model, although they are now slightly thicker.

Read: This Is Everything We Know About The $30,000 Kia EV3

One of the teasers published by Kia also shows the EV3 from the front. It showcases an angular headlight with a twisting T-shaped LED daytime running light, like the concept. Heck, the production model even wears the same shade of light green as the concept. Kia says the EV3 has the same ‘Opposites United’ design language as the rest of its models.

The global premiere for the new Kia EV3 has been penciled in for May 23 and will be livestreamed on YouTube. Sales will start later in the year, though Kia has not yet confirmed any details regarding a North American launch.

While the exterior of the SUV is almost identical to the concept, more significant changes can be expected in the cabin. Whereas the concept had an oval-shaped steering wheel, we think the production model will have a more traditional wheel, perhaps with a flat bottom. The dashboard should also include some physical buttons that were missing from the concept, as well as more traditional air vents, pedals, and door panels.

Underpinning the EV3 will be the familiar E-GMP platform from the Hyundai Motor Group. Interestingly, it will eschew the pricey 800-volt architecture of the EV6 and EV9 in favor of a 400-volt system. Both 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery packs are expected. Entry-level models should be sold with a single electric motor and there’s a chance higher-end versions will be available with twin motors.

Whether Kia sells the EV3 in America may depend on its production location. If it’s manufactured in North America with localized supply chains, it would qualify for the full $7,500 federal tax credit, whether leased or purchased. However, it’s worth noting that like other foreign-produced EVs, Kia could potentially bypass this requirement using the $7,500 tax credit loophole for leases. If it does arrive in the U.S., we anticipate it could be priced as low as $30,000 to $32,000 when it goes on sale.