• Auto123 gets in a (second) first drive of the 2027 Kia EV3.
Campbell River, BC – Like few other mainstream carmakers out there, Kia has been quick on the draw when it comes to meeting the moment – the moment being when demand for affordable, well-equipped electric vehicles started to really make itself heard.
These are the vehicles that will grow the EV segment’s demographic beyond deep-pocket eco-warriors and early adopters and reach those who just want a practical, reasonably refined, hopefully green vehicle that’s big enough for their small-family needs but won’t destroy their budget.
Meet the Kia EV3, which meets all those criteria.
Where is the 2027 Kia EV3 assembled?
The EV3 destined for the Canadian market is assembled at the AutoLand Gwangmyeong EVO Plant in Gwangmyeong, South Korea.
Design of the 2026 Kia EV3 – 8.5/10
At 4,300 mm in length, the EV3 is just slightly shorter than the Niro, but it’s more nicely styled in our opinion. Its lines are more modern and many design elements look like appropriately softened and scaled down versions of what you see on the EV5 and the even larger EV9.
With its square wheel arches, clean, sharp lighting, simple lines and vertical front grille-less grille, the EV3 is boxy but not too boxy, trendy but not too trendy. It’s anyone’s guess whether this design will age well, but we tend to think it will. The GT-Line gets unique design elements compare to the standard model. Coefficient of drag is given as 0.26, so this is a relatively aerodynamic vehicle.
The EV3 is being offered in Canada in six exterior colours, though none that are exclusive to the model.
The base model of the EV3 rides on 17-inch wheels (with option to level up to 19), while the rest get the 19-inch wheels without you asking for them.
Interior of the 2027 Kia EV3 - 8.0/10
The EV3 provides a surprisingly roomy interior given its modest, Niro-like exterior dimensions. Our test drive took us along scenic roads down the right coast of Vancouver Island, from Campbell River to Victoria. Long enough to put the comfort levels of the seats to the test (they passed) and take the measure of the ergonomics (they also passed). Although, we weren’t quite sure what advantage the slide-out arm rest provides exactly (our guess: none when driving, but you can put a laptop on it when stopped). Kia vaunts the large proportion of sustainable materials used for the interior.
The driver data screen and multimedia display (both 12.3 inches) are housed together in a long rectangular display that thankfully doesn’t appear oversized for this vehicle.
Behind the passenger area is a decent-sized trunk for the vehicle’s dimensions, with a large opening providing 460 litres of cargo space with seats in place, and 1,250 with them down. There’s also a small 24-litre frunk, good for a cable, or maybe a reasonably sized backpack. The trunk has two levels for you to choose from, should you want to place taller objects in there.
Technology in the 2027 Kia EV3
Kia’s mission with the EV3 was to bring the tech introduced in the EV9 SUV into a smaller segment. And so we find here goodies like a digital key 2.0, Kia’s AI Assistant using ChatGPT and bi-directional charging that allows owners to charge external devices and appliances.
Over-the-air updates will be possible.
Powertrains of the 2026 Kia EV3 – 8.0/10
The EV3 is the first small Kia EV to be developed using the E-GMP platform, and it uses a 400V system. System output is 201 hp and 209 lb-ft of torque. Recharging on a DC fast-charging station should take around 30 minutes to get from 10 to 80 percent of full charge, or about 10-12 minutes faster than the Niro EV, which uses the same 400V system.
There are two versions of the EV3 to be offered in Canada, a standard-range version (FWD) and a long-range variant. Note that Kia Canada is only offering the FWD models initially; AWD variants will arrive a little later. What that means is that if you want the 262 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque available from that dual-motor EV3, you’ll just have to wait (a bit; we were told the AWD models should be arriving soon enough).
As for range, it’s pegged at a mere 356 km for the base FWD EV3 with the smaller battery. We expect few buyers will choose that option, given that the larger-battery Long Range model will deliver, for “only” $4,000 more, 517 km of range. The GT-Line AWD version offers 451 km.
One-pedal driving is possible via the new and improved i-Pedal 3.0 system, with four levels, and that will help prolong range in most cases thanks to regenerative braking. The new generation of the system allows for keeping full i-Pedal on when you restart the vehicle.
Note that Kia is also readying the launch of the performance-oriented GT version of the EV3. It will deliver 288 hp and 345 lb-ft of instantly available torque and come with what’s called a GT mode, as well as exclusive neon GT calipers.
2027 Kia EV3 – Canadian versions and pricing
- - 2027 EV3 Light FWD - $36,995 CAD
- - 2027 EV3 Wind FWD - $40,995
- - 2027 EV3 Wind AWD - $43,495
- - 2027 EV3 Land FWD - $43,495
- - 2027 EV3 Land AWD - $45,995
- - 2027 EV3 GT-Line FWD - $45,995
- - 2027 EV3 GT-Line AWD - $48,495
- - 2027 EV3 GT-Line Limited FWD - $49,995
- - 2027 EV3 GT-Line Limited AWD – $52,495
- - 2027 EV3 GT AWD - $55,995
That pricing structures means that every trim is eligible for the federal government’s EV incentive, save the AWD version of the GT-Line Limited and the performance-oriented GT.
Driving the 2027 Kia EV3
We look forward to driving the new EV3 over a longer period than just a single day, and in more varied conditions including winter. That will deliver a truer picture of its qualities and appropriateness to Canadian motorists.
But here’s what we can say with certainty: This doesn’t feel like a heavy vehicle like some EVs can; in other words, it has a powertrain to match its size and weight. As you’d expect, the all-electric EV3 has great acceleration off the line, when accelerating from 60 to 80 km/h and when merging onto highways, say. But we were noted that it doesn’t lose breath when you’re taking it from 100 to 120.
The vehicle’s 0.26 co-efficient of drag comes despite a relatively vertical snout and is helped in part by the fitted underbody panel covering most of the vehicle’s bottom, as well as the Active Air Flap behind the model’s front grille that adjusts to limit drag at higher speeds.
The EV3 remains principally an urban car for small families. But we found that it has the chops to be a perfectly suitable road tripper (charging infrastructure permitting) and longer-commute vehicle. It hugs the road well and the steering is crisp, if not overly communicative regarding what’s happening under the wheels.
Visibility out the smallish rear window is not fantastic, but it’s not terrible either – we’ve seen worse.
The final word
At the time that we first drove the (European) EV3 back in February of 2025, it was generally expected the small EV would get a starting price somewhere in the mid-40s in Canadian dollars. Much has changed since then, of course, and competition in the more affordable EV segments is growing by the month. But to see a vehicle of this solid quality and offering so much practicality priced not in the mid-40s but of $36,995 is good news for those seeking value in a vehicle. This EV3 offers that in spades. Did we mention that price point doesn’t include the $5,000 federal EV incentive, or provincial incentives where applicable?
2027 Kia EV3 – The competition
- - Chevrolet Bolt
- - Nissan LEAF
- - Subaru Uncharted
- - Toyota C-HR
