First Drive: 2027 Kia EV3 is the All-Electric Crossover We’ve Been Waiting For

To mix metaphors, the 2027 Kia EV3 fires on all cylinders: attractive, affordable, with great range, quick charging and good performance.

While we’ve seen the auto industry make a multi-billion retrenchment on EVs, Kia continues to move pretty much full speed ahead, betting that demand will eventually bounce back after the tumble triggered by the phase-out of federal tax credits in September 2025.

The good news is that the Korean carmaker is introducing just the right product for the moment in the form of the 2027 Kia EV3. It’s a solid option for many of today’s motorists worried about what to do as vehicle prices climb to record levels, interest rates begin to rise and soaring fuel costs leave many having to choose between buying groceries or filling up the gas tank.

I headed to Vancouver Island in British Columbia earlier this month to take a first drive in EV3 and found it the sort of package the market needs in the battery-electric segment. To start with, it’s one of the most affordable models in its class, starting just under $30,000 before factoring in delivery fees. For that money you get a reasonable well-equipped model with more than adequate range and performance. Kia is offering a variety of option and trim packages that take both numbers up, delivering up to as much as 321 miles per charge and, with the sportiest EV3 GT package, 288 horsepower and 345 pound-feet of torque.

Powertrain and performance

EV3 is offered in a surprisingly wide variety of drivetrain configurations, among other things being a rare model in its class with available front or all-wheel-drive. I split my day on Vancouver Island driving the AWD-only  GT-Line model making 261 hp and 284 lb-ft of torque and a FWD version of the Land trim putting out 201 hp and 209 lb-ft.

(Unfortunately, Kia did not have the ballsy GT package available for me to test drive in British Columbia. I’m particularly looking forward to driving that AWD-only model which will deliver a full 288 hp and tire-spinning 345 lb-ft of torque.)

Speaking of that accelerator, EV3 brings the debut of Kia’s updated i-Pedal 3.0 system. This allows you to both accelerate and slow down simply by modulating the throttle. In practical terms I found myself jumping onto the brake only about a third as often as I would have in a conventional vehicle. It takes a bit of time to learn but I admit I miss having i-Pedal when I return to a gas-powered model. The good news is that i-Pedal 3.0 no longer disables when you shut the car off, or shift out of drive. In fact, you can set it to function in reverse. And there are three different levels of regenerative braking using the system.

Range and charging

Along with the option of front or all-wheel-drive, EV3 offers a choice of two battery packs. The 58.3-kWh option is only offered on FWD trims and makes a maximum 221 miles per charge.

The 81.4-kWh package gets up to 321 miles in front-drive models, 280 with AWD. The platform used in EV3 operates at 400 volts, lower than the EV9 and EV6, but that seems to have created few compromises, at least in terms of charging. With a fast enough DC quick charger you can go from a 10 to 80% state-of-charge in 29 minutes with the smaller pack, the bigger option adding only another two minutes. Meanwhile, you’ll get plenty of places to plug in as EV3 has migrated to the NACS charge port yielding access to the vast Tesla Supercharger network.

One particularly nice feature is the V2L, or Vehicle-to-Load, function. Using a factory-supplied adaptor you can draw 120-volt current through the NACS port to supply power, say, at a work or campsite. Kia plans to later add a V2H, or Vehicle-to-Home system to tap the battery directly connecting it to your home AC circuit in the event of a blackout.

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Driving impressions

The GT-Line lived up to its billing as a “sporty” option, providing more than enough muscle to for a confident launch, and when merging into highway traffic.

But even the less bulked-up FWD option was competent and capable, keeping up with traffic whenever I pushed the pedal to the floor.

As is often the case on the Pacific Northwest, the day saw a wide range of weather conditions: from gray and gloomy to mist and an occasional cloudburst that the windshield wipers struggled to keep up with. Despite the slippery conditions, EV3 offered a grippy sense of confidence on those saturated roads. The GT-Line, in particular, offered a nice balance through the steering wheel, with not too much boost and more road feel than I’ve experienced on many more expensive EVs. The suspension, meanwhile, proved surprisingly good at sucking up road bumps, as well, which was a real blessing considering some of the logging roads I traversed on the rural Vancouver Island.

Exterior and interior design

The new EV3 rides on a dedicated, all-electric platform, here a 400-volt architecture that’s a modified version of what’s used for the bigger EV6 and EV9 models. It measures 169.3 inches, nose-to-tail, or 15 inches shorter than the EV6. But the numbers can be misleading. By mounting batteries and other key drivetrain components below the load floor, EV3 delivers a surprisingly roomy 99.7 cubic feet of interior space. That includes 26 cf cargo space with the rear seats up, 56.5 cf with them folded over. Add another 0.9 cf with the frunk, the EV3 being the only model in its class with that front trunk.

The exterior design picks up the latest take on Kia’s trademark “Tiger Face” front end, adopting features introduced on the EV9, including the “Star Map” daytime running lights and combo rear lamps. A look at the crossover in profile shows it featuring extremely short overhangs and a floating roof. It also reveals a number of details meant to enhance aerodynamics, such as the pop-out door handles. Depending upon the package, 17-inch wheels are standard, with 19-inch alloy wheels the upgrade. There’s also a Nightfall package which adds gloss black wheels, roof rails and other sporty details.

EV3’s interior is not just roomy but arguably the most attractive cabin offered in its segment, especially when compared with the two most direct competitors, the reborn Chevrolet Bolt and the latest-generation Nissan Leaf. There are some useful details, including an open center console and adjustable cupholders. The eye is certain to be drawn to the digital displays, however. There’s a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, as well as a 12.3-inch touchscreen. Add a 5-inch climate screen and an available head-up display on some trims. All versions deliver a more upscale feel to their finishes and textures than many competitors, and the GT and GT-Line models add some details including a unique steering wheel and seats. Heated and ventilated seats, along with dual climate controls are available – but as options.

Technology

Those digital displays are larger and more useful than what you’ll find on even some more expensive competition. Kia has made a point of emphasizing technology with its EV family. The touchscreen is augmented by Kia’s latest voice assistant which can be cued simply by saying, “Hey, Kia.” I found it to be more responsive to a range of commands than on a number of other small vehicles, gas or electric.

The display will allow you to stream a variety of online services, including Netflix, TikTok and YouTube – when parked, of course. And you can customize your home page – for a small fee. Meanwhile, the crossover adds features like the latest Kia Smart Key system, smartphone-style over-the-air updates, a WiFi hotspot, wireless phone charging and an assortment of advanced driver assistance systems, including Highway Driving Assist 2.

Pricing and availability

The 2027 Kia EV3 does a good job of addressing some of the biggest complaints potential buyers have about battery-electric vehicles. And that includes pricing. Where the typical EV currently goes in the mid-$50,000 range – excluding the big discounts on many models – EV3 starts at $29,980 before factoring in $1,495 in delivery fees. That makes it one of only five all-electric models currently priced below $35,000, though we’ll be seeing more start to arrive during the 2027 model year, including the Ford Fathom and Blank Slate pickups. A well-equipped Wind trim with the bigger battery pack starts at $34,990, the GT-Line starting at $43,490 and the GT jumping to $45,890 – again before factoring in delivery fees.

As for availability, you can already find the 2027 Kia EV3 in many of the automaker’s U.S. showrooms. They’ll be adding more inventory, and a broader selection of trims in the weeks to come.

If my first experience driving the Kia EV3 is any indication it could be the sort of battery-electric vehicle many buyers have been waiting for. The 2027 crossover delivers a lot of value for the money and comes along at a particularly useful time considering current gasoline prices – which may not settle back to pre-Iran War levels for some time.