World premiere on May 23,2024

electriceddy

electriceddy

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Here is the link to watch it live:

This (latest I could find) article from Korean Car Blog details some info, including a shift from China's CATL battery technology to HLI Green Power (a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution) which would indicate NCMA chemistry:
"HLI Green Power specializes in producing NCMA lithium-ion batteries, which include nickel, cobalt, manganese, and aluminum. These batteries are designed to enhance output while reducing chemical instability, making them a reliable and high-performing option for Kia’s new electric vehicles."
More from Inside EVs news:
"The Kia EV3 will be a direct rival to the Volvo EX30,
It will ride on a cheaper, lower-voltage front-wheel drive version of the Hyundai-Kia E-GMP platform, which will run at 400 volts instead of 800 volts.
availability has been confirmed in the US and Europe. Production will first begin at one of Kia’s plants in South Korea and it should meet the needs of the Korean and part of the Asian markets. If the EV3 also goes on sale in China, it could also get localized production.

Rumor has it that Mexico will build the EV3 for the American market, potentially making it eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit. That would bring its price down to $24,500, making it one of the most affordable EVs around.

EV3s sold in Europe will roll out of the plant in Žilina, Slovakia. This means the EV3 could be manufactured in three different factories simultaneously, maybe even more if it proves as successful as the hype built around it would suggest."
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This is the first new EV model I've seen in some time that has me thinking, "This might be my next car."
 
Bruce M. said:
This is the first new EV model I've seen in some time that has me thinking, "This might be my next car."
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What would be a deal-breaker for you? Sub-200-mile range, slow charging speed, expected features require subscriptions, no V2L capability, uncomfortable seats, same WoF gear-train as the Kia Niro, extended warranty too expensive, desired color not offered?
 
I don't worry about charging speed as I almost never have occasion to use fast charging. Range under about 220 miles would be problem, as would key controls being only available via screen, without physical buttons, etc. Bad seats/ergonomics would be a deal-killer for sure.
 
Sounds like it won't be available here until well into 2025. That's the problem with some of these great sounding announcements. By the time there is sufficient supply to buy them, there are newer, better cars announced, again just around the corner.
 
I definitely like it so far. When I'm ready to replace my 2020 Kona Electric, I want something small and not too pricey, and this is a very sharp looking little vehicle. Looking forward to more details about the U.S. version.
 
R P said:
Highly doubt it. But I hardly think that is important in a low cost EV.
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I prefer a small, quick EV (hence my MINI Electric). Even though I like cars more than crossovers, I thought Volvo/Geely's plan to make a low-cost EX30 that could be upgraded to a really quick, medium-priced EX30 was a good one. The quick EV3 model would be more profitable and create a "halo" that would possibly increase sales of the base EV3.
 
insightman said:
I prefer a small, quick EV (hence my MINI Electric). Even though I like cars more than crossovers, I thought Volvo/Geely's plan to make a low-cost EX30 that could be upgraded to a really quick, medium-priced EX30 was a good one. The quick EV3 model would be more profitable and create a "halo" that would possibly increase sales of the base EV3.
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I prefer cars to crossovers, too, but some of these small crossovers -- like my Kona -- are basically hatchbacks with an extra inch of height. Driving mine, it never occurs to me that I'm in what's officially considered an SUV. I suspect the EV 3 will be similar.
 
insightman said:
Is there going to be a version of the EV3 that can get to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds like the (now Biden-banned?) Volvo EX30?
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I finally read the InsideEVs article about the EV3 and learned there will be a 4WD EV3 GT that may offer acceleration comparable to the very quick 4WD Volvo EX30:

Kia will offer dual-motor all-wheel, even a spicy EV3 GT, which will feel better to drive and provide a lot more performance. Having the second motor in the rear will limit the underfloor space in the trunk, but having more than double the power of the base model will more than make up for it.
 
insightman said:
I finally read the InsideEVs article about the EV3 and learned there will be a 4WD EV3 GT that may offer acceleration comparable to the very quick 4WD Volvo EX30:

Kia will offer dual-motor all-wheel, even a spicy EV3 GT, which will feel better to drive and provide a lot more performance. Having the second motor in the rear will limit the underfloor space in the trunk, but having more than double the power of the base model will more than make up for it.
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Why do you want a low end value EV that does 0-60 in 3.5 secs?? My I6 can do it in 4.3 which is crazy fast, and only ever use it to demo to friends I take for a ride. Most of the time I drive in ECO which is still plenty quick and gives me all the passing power I could ever need. It is the instant acceleration and nimbleness of our EVs that is most important, not the ultimate straight line performance.

A two motor GT EV3 would have to be more expensive, and likely not what value customers would be looking for.
 
R P said:
Why do you want a low end value EV that does 0-60 in 3.5 secs?? My I6 can do it in 4.3 which is crazy fast, and only ever use it to demo to friends I take for a ride. Most of the time I drive in ECO which is still plenty quick and gives me all the passing power I could ever need. It is the instant acceleration and nimbleness of our EVs that is most important, not the ultimate straight line performance.

A two motor GT EV3 would have to be more expensive, and likely not what value customers would be looking for.
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I assume "value" is when the customer gets what they want for a price they like.

Your I6 (which I like very much) can get to 60 quicker than the slowest Porsche (4.5 seconds to 60). Is your I6 a better value than the Porsche? It's not as luxurious as the Porsche, but it's more practical and the insurance is a lot less expensive. When you were choosing a car, the I6 did what you wanted for a price you liked. It is a good value.

I believe a customer who wants to get to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds would consider the EV3 GT a great value compared to any other car that can achieve that feat. I'm not that customer (cornering is my delight), but I still want companies to cater to that customer. The sportier the better IMO.

As they say, "Run it up the flagpole and see who opens their wallet." At least I think that's what they say.
 
I guess we all don't have the same definition of value. I paid a lot for my I6, and don't consider it a good value. But I wanted a good trip car, and it is the best. Similarly I paid a lot for my Solterra, again not a good value. But I wanted a good off-road EV for our cabin, and for that, it too, is best in its class. So I paid more just to get what I want.

But I would definitely consider the EV3, based on the announcement, a very good value car. It does a lot for the price, ie very good range (big battery), decent charging speeds, looks good, etc, etc. It is not the best at any one thing, but sure checks a lot of boxes of what people are looking for.

As for Audis, Range Rovers and BMWs, I don't consider any of those as good value cars. People that buy them have money to burn, and don't hesitate to pay extra for the luxury and prestige they seek. In fact the more they pay, the better they feel about their cars. When they do complain about what they paid, they are really just bragging.
 
R P said:
I guess we all don't have the same definition of value. I paid a lot for my I6, and don't consider it a good value. But I wanted a good trip car, and it is the best. Similarly I paid a lot for my Solterra, again not a good value. But I wanted a good off-road EV for our cabin, and for that, it too, is best in its class. So I paid more just to get what I want.
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I guess you're right. I do consider the I6 a good value and I am surprised you don't agree (unless a nasty dealer forced you to pay way over MSRP).

I also consider the Solterra a good value because it fits my "value" forumula: the customer gets what they want for a price they like. There's no less-expensive EV that can do what the Solterra does, which is why Subaru can charge so much for it. You evidently didn't like the Solterra's price (so not a good value based on my formula), but you could afford it and needed the unique capabilities the Solterra offers.
 
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insightman said:
I guess you're right. I do consider the I6 a good value and I am surprised you don't agree (unless a nasty dealer forced you to pay way over MSRP).

I also consider the Solterra a good value because it fits my "value" forumula: the customer gets what they want for a price they like. There's no less-expensive EV that can do what the Solterra does, which is why Subaru can charge so much for it. You evidently didn't like the Solterra's price (so not a good value based on my formula), but you could afford it and needed the unique capabilities the Solterra offers.
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I paid full MSRP for both of them, but not more. Didn't have a choice, waited almost two years for each them, and got them when supply was tight so no negotiating possible. Now both of them are cheaper, as most EVs are now. But I knew that when I bought them, and wasn't going to wait longer. The saving grace was that I got $5K more than I paid for my 2019 Kona.

Yes, I could afford them, but I certainly don't have money to burn. And buying two expensive cars in the same year, cash, with no trade-ins was a good hit on my bank/investment accounts. But one of my grandsons was happy as he got my 2018 Crosstrek. But I certainly have no intentions of buying another car for many years to come (did I say that to my wife a few years back?), even if it is a good value car. I like talking about them though.
 
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