2027 Kia EV3 Revealed for the U.S. Ahead of Late 2026 Arrival
Posted by Derpy_Kirby@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 31 comments
Posted by Derpy_Kirby@reddit | cars | View on Reddit | 31 comments
gabeshakour@reddit
Hallelujah! Been wanting this car to come to the US forever. I’m in Europe currently and am seeing them everywhere and they just look so good.
Weak-Specific-6599@reddit
It will have the same ICCU issues as all the other EGMP cars, sadly.
andrewia@reddit
This doesn't use the same eGMP ICCU, it's a completely different design. 800-volt models need components to support 400-volt DC Fast Chargers, but 400-volt models are the lowest common denominator, so no high-voltage DC conversion is necessary.
PreviousSpecific9165@reddit
This is incorrect. DC charging bypasses the ICCU entirely and the DC-DC conversion on the 800v cars is handled by the rear motor's inverter.
andrewia@reddit
Good point, the service manuals show it's not in the DC charging path at all. Although the Ioniq 5/6/9 ICCU still needs to support boosting AC to ~800 volts, while much cheaper components can be used in 400 volt models, so there's still a big reason to make different modules.
Weak-Specific-6599@reddit
It may be a different part, but I have zero confidence in Kia EVs at this point.
andrewia@reddit
There haven't been systemic issues with the Niro and Kona EVs, so I'd say there's a history of good reliability.
Carvair-98@reddit
"Welcome back Kia Soul"
I know it's proportioned more like a Seltos, and the EV2 is more alike, but the EV3 still looks like a Soul/Venue mix. I do wonder what pricing will look like, because based on the common prediction of $35,000k starting, it would be more of a CH-R competitor then.
I do think, if you've gotta bring an EV here, this made more sense than the EV4. Just very weirdly proportioned, a sedan just SCREAMing to be a hatchback (which it was, but they weren't planning to bring).
At my job, I actually did see a "Compliance Testing" unit go through our warehouse some time ago, and with the whisperings of EV3 in NA for awhile, I'm not completely surprised by this news actually. But I'm surprised about USA introduction, I thought for sure this may just be a Canada/Mexico thing.
KingMario05@reddit
I'm not. The current political regime is flailing, and gas is now skyrocketing back up in price. Kia is sensing an opportunity here, and they're going for it. Tariffs be damned.
TempleSquare@reddit
Even more importantly, they have a huge facility in Georgia and it makes sense to use it.
When you have to import your batteries, it's risky. Both Toyota and Hyundai now have huge battery plants here.
flugherbutter@reddit
What is the point with so many new cars having glossy plastic fenders, wasn’t the whole point of plastic fenders so that they’re more scratch/dent resistant for “””off-roading”””? Doesn’t this defeat the whole purpose?
theb3arjevv@reddit
That's the justification, but the actual reason is that the black trim hides how high the waistline of modern cars are. Without the trim they look like bloated whales (just look at the Jeep Grand Commander).
Thomas_633_Mk2@reddit
Jeep really needs to stop naming vehicles "Commander" or any variation thereof
FMJoey325@reddit
Wow. I hate the plastic cladding but that thing is abysmal. Also, what a horrible name for a car.
wheeze_the_juice@reddit
money. plastic is cheap. it’s all about cost cutting.
Drzhivago138@reddit
You say that like there's no metal body under the plastic.
Spa_5_Fitness_Camp@reddit
The point of these is to mask the size and/or proportions of the vehicle. Without them, you'd have a huge vertical slab of painted bodywork. It's why most styling seems to be moving towards lots of black accents and oversized 'styling' elements that result in a busy design. It's just to make it look visually smaller than it is.
T-Baaller@reddit
glossy paint doesn't change plastic protecting the metal.
ZannX@reddit
People see rusted fenders and immediately think this is the solution. My mom's first reaction when she saw the Crosstrek was "look at thay protection! So smart!"... it just works on the average buyer.
Icy-Good-8952@reddit
It's ironic because those gloss black fenders will be the first thing on the car to appear filthy after one drive.
Alive_Internet@reddit
Ironically, Kia EV interiors have been praised for not having glossy black plastic. Here, it looks like they just moved it from the interior to the exterior.
Baron_Tiberius@reddit
The majority of cars with plastic bumpers aren't off-roading at all except for presenting the vibe of being off road vehicles. This is just the evolution of that.
GrapeFanta17@reddit
Those wheels are so gaudy
Drzhivago138@reddit
I like 'em. They remind me of the wheels on old Cavaliers.
Martbern@reddit
It's not remotely competetive on price here in Norway, so it will be interesting to see how it does abroad.
Teledildonic@reddit
So...what's the ICCU situation for this one?
t-poke@reddit
It's 400V and Kia/Hyundai's other 400V cars haven't had ICCU problems.
Just the 800V EGMP cars.
MS49SF@reddit
Wondering the same thing
xt1nct@reddit
Hyundai/Kia spin off ev brand. Direct to consumer. Kia dealers in my area are terrible.
KingMario05@reddit
Good to see at least this Kia EV making it over. But man, I'm smarting about the EV6 GT and base Ioniq 6 going bye bye. End the tariffs, Congress! We need as many as we can get!
t-poke@reddit
Why would you buy this for $35,000 when the Ioniq 5, which is a better car also starts at $35,000?
Really hope the starting MSRP is closer to 30.