FIRST LOOK: Kia EV3 and EV4. Will baby brothers to the EV9 and EV6 be a hit? | Electrifying

#kiaev3 #kiaev4 #electriccars

Kia is going all out when it comes to electrification. The Korean brand has pledged to sell a million electric cars around the world by 2026 and has already registered the names EV1 to EV9 for its electric car roll-out. We’ve already seen the EV6 saloon - along with its performance packed GT version - and the six or seven seat EV9 has also just gone on sale. And now they’re about to be joined by a small SUV called the EV3 and a saloon shaped EV4.

The EV3 won’t get Kia’s super-fast 800 volt charging system. Instead it will come with 400 volt capability, which will help keep the costs down. When the EV3 hits the UK in 2024 it will be the brands most affordable electric model with prices expected to start at under 35k, putting it up as a direct competition for cars like the EX30 and the Fisker Ocean in terms of price and size. It’ll also come with a vehicle to load technology which effectively transforms your car into a mobile battery that can power everything from laptops to garden tools. When it comes to power Kia hasn’t said anything official but given they’re trying to keep the price of the EV3 the launch model will be single motor front wheel drive that will most likely have an LFP battery.

The EV4 looks similar to the EV6 but will be more affordable when it arrives in the UK. Although the concept is a saloon, we’re expecting European models to sport a hatchback tail when it’s launched. Like the EV3 the 4 will also come with 400 volt charging capacity.

It will join the lineup in 2025 and Kia are keeping quiet on the performance details but expect it to be in line with the Hyundai Ioniq 6 so we should get a choice of rear or all-wheel drive along with two different battery sizes to choose from, though the UK is unlikely to offer the entry-level 53kWh battery and will stick to the 77.4 kWh ‘Long Range’ models.

Join Ginny as takes a close look at both models at the LA Motor Show. Are these the cars you’ve been waiting for? Is Kia onto a winner with the EV3 and EV4, or would you opt for something different? As always, we love to hear your comments, so get typing below.

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[nicholasstocker]

I do quite like Kia’s new design direction! It looks robotic and I love it!

[chasf]

EV3 is just the right size and price and looks great, so I just hope Kia still give the driver interface some proper buttons and the regen paddles

[decimal]

Looking forward to EV 1 and 2. These are huge.. and still expensive. Not seeing big price drops yet, which is strange considering battery pack prices are so much cheaper than they were.

[Aves_]

Kia is killing it with their EV lineup

[robertshears]

Would be nice if the concept cars included a full size spare wheel and tyre, with a rear wash wipe system too. I can do without all the ambient lighting in exchange. Hopefully the actual cars will have indicator stalks, window switches, manually opening gloveboxes....but perhaps I should expect the worst.

[johndoyle]

Kia really going for it. I have an EV6 but the 4 and 5 look great.
We live in interesting times.

[morganrody]

Seems like kia is the only one with a solid roadmap for all segments, well done!!!

[Wiseguy]

The EV3 definitely looks like it'll be replacing the Soul EV (which I just bought a 2023 model of that here in Canada). I wouldn't be surprised though to see the Soul phased out for the EV3 going forward. Hopefully it'll be sold in Canada because I really enjoy Kia electric cars, and Kia in general (my Soul EV is my second Soul, having replaced my 2015 gas model). Also hopefully Canada gets its act together and starts pumping out more DC fast chargers because anywhere outside Toronto is a real hassle to find any.

[darlingfreakhead]

What about something that isn’t a SUV or crossover? Far to many SUVs in everyone’s lineups

[richardjohnson]

i will be waiting to see the EV 1 and 2

[blackbelt]

The EV4 looks absolutely huge to be compared to a model 3. Maybe its smaller in reality vs. on screen.

[Ian-xqrt]

As a Niro EV driver, I'm liking the look of the EV3, although a bit concerned about how far back the screens are given the right hand side as we see here will be touch screen, that's quite a stretch and the Niro already has that problem. I personally would like the touch screen much closer and aligned to the driver position, who cares what the passenger wants lol!

Will be interesting to see the final version if due this year, I suspect the Niro and Soul may be retired soon after, I'm not worried as I'm leasing which I chose as I know the market is changing so quickly.

[Richard-ioxe]

Not over enthused by the fact it will be 400v. I wonder if they will increase its max charge rate. I have a Niro EV and its a great car but the charge rate at 72kw is just too slow these days. If the EV3 doesn't double it, it will be a mistake.

[milesssutube]

interesting looking cars, I hope they come with rear wipes and a lot more storage than seems to be on offer with the very "scandi" interiors of the concepts. Wasn't the floor and lighting odd - it made it look like a virtual model :) Good to see these and can't wait to drive them :)

[ISuperTed]

Like the EV3 chunky looks but well have to see how it stacks up against the likes of the EX30 and Smart #1. However, that EV4 is hideous! What on earth are they thinking?

[mikadavies]

The EV3 needs to be in the UK at £28, 000.... Otherwise what is the point? It needs to beat Peugeot, Citroën and Renault and I don't believe it does when it is only at the same price. Generally, I see Hyundai and Kia as simply too expensive as an EV brand in UK.

[nvca]

I drive the Niro EV and feel a bit silly, driving an electric car that could be way lower and have less wind resistance, which will make the best of your already limited EV range. If it will also just support 400V I hope it will be at least relatively inexpensive. So my personal focus is on the EV4, looks great, wonder if it will become available with AWD for best safety in the winter and powerful acceleration? In April 2025 I have to decide to keep the Niro, which I like apart from its shape, or go on for something modern with a streamline design that suits electric mobility, just like the Hyundai Ioniq 6. I also hope it will come with a 360° camera and more autonomous capabilities, like traffic lights and stable speed limit automation, which is a bit of a gamble in the Niro EV, which is disappointing, because proper software / an update can fix this.
Thanks for the introduction and greetings from Munich, Germany

[decimal]

Really like Ginny's more restrained, less jokey-joke style. Thanks for treating us like adults :)

[Yanquetino]

Hmmm. Concepts are teasers. We'll see what comes out in production. Frankly, I think it's a mistake to downgrade from 800V to 400V.

[RJordanT]

It’s going to suck when they eventually get rid of the soul. It’s such a lovely car and I love the odd looks!