The 2027 Kia EV3 Is the Electric Seltos, and Now We Know the Price
Kia just put a price on its smallest and most attainable electric SUV, and we think the 2027 Kia EV3 may be one of the more important vehicles the brand has launched in years. The reason is simple: it is, in essence, the electric counterpart to the Seltos, the compact family SUV we recently spent time with. The EV3 slots in beneath the EV6 and EV9; it starts at $29,890, and Kia says it will travel up to 321 miles on a charge. So the real question for any family cross-shopping small SUVs is this: what does going electric actually do to the price? Let’s break it down.
What Exactly Is the Kia EV3?
First, some context. The EV3 is Kia’s entry-level electric SUV, and the company positions it as the most affordable EV in its lineup. It made its North American debut at the New York International Auto Show in April 2026, and it reaches U.S. dealers in late 2026 as a 2027 model. In other words, it sits below the larger EV6 and EV9 as the easiest and cheapest way into a Kia EV.
Visually, the EV3 borrows heavily from the EV9. Kia’s “Opposites United” design language gives it the same confident stance, the Star Map LED lighting, and the hidden rear door handles found on its bigger sibling. Underneath, however, the EV3 rides on the 400V version of Kia’s E-GMP electric platform. That distinction is worth clarifying, because the EV6 and EV9 use the higher-voltage 800V version of that same architecture. So while the EV3 shares Kia’s dedicated EV platform family, it relies on the more affordable 400V setup rather than the 800V hardware found in its pricier siblings. Oh, that also means it will not charge as quickly.
The Electric Counterpart to the Seltos
In size, mission, and price, the EV3 lines up almost perfectly with the gas-powered Seltos. Both are compact, family-friendly SUVs built for daily commuting, school runs, and the occasional road trip. The difference, of course, is what sits under the floor: gasoline in the Seltos, a battery in the EV3. For that reason, we view the EV3 as the electric counterpart to the Seltos.
The all-new, second-generation 2027 Seltos gives us a clean yardstick, since Kia redesigned it for the same model year and announced its pricing back in June 2026. For reference, here is the full 2027 Seltos lineup, with each figure excluding the $1,495 destination charge:
- Seltos LX FWD: $24,990
- Seltos S FWD: $26,390
- Seltos LX AWD: $26,690
- Seltos S AWD: $28,090
- Seltos EX FWD: $28,390
- Seltos X-Line S: $28,990
- Seltos EX AWD: $30,090
- Seltos X-Line SX: $32,790
As you can see, the gas Seltos spans roughly $25k to $33k. Keep those figures in mind, because the EV3’s ladder tells a fascinating story once you set the two side by side.
2027 Kia EV3 Pricing, Trim by Trim
Now for the main event. Kia offers the 2027 EV3 in seven trim-and-drivetrain combinations, climbing from the front-wheel-drive (FWD) Light all the way to the sporty, all-wheel-drive (AWD) GT. Here is the complete EV3 pricing ladder, and once again each figure excludes the $1,495 destination charge:
- EV3 Light FWD: $29,890
- EV3 Wind FWD: $34,990
- EV3 Land FWD: $38,490
- EV3 Wind AWD: $38,690
- EV3 Land AWD: $41,690
- EV3 GT-Line AWD: $43,490
- EV3 GT AWD: $45,890
So what does that mean next to the Seltos? Quite a lot, actually. The cheapest EV3, at $29,890, costs almost exactly the same as a nearly loaded Seltos EX AWD at $30,090. Put another way, the entry price to go electric runs roughly $5,000 above the $24,990 the Seltos asks to start. Meanwhile, the range-topping EV3 GT climbs to $45,890, which is about $13,000 beyond the priciest Seltos X-Line SX. Ultimately, that spread is the tradeoff families now have to weigh: the EV3 commands a premium up front, yet it returns electric running costs, strong range, and a healthy dose of EV9 technology.
Range, Charging, and Power
Range is where the EV3 makes its strongest case. According to Kia, the long-range battery delivers up to 321 miles on the Wind FWD and Land FWD trims, which is a genuinely competitive figure for an affordable EV. The EV3 backs that promise with two battery choices: a standard-range 58.3-kWh pack on the base Light, good for a Kia-estimated 220 miles, and a long-range 81.4-kWh pack on every trim above it. That larger battery also unlocks AWD, which is optional on Wind and Land and standard on GT-Line and GT.
Charging should be painless, too. The EV3 comes with a native NACS port, so it plugs into Tesla-style fast chargers without an adapter. On a DC fast charger, Kia says the Light recovers a 10% to 80% charge in about 29 minutes, while the long-range trims need roughly 31 minutes. As for performance, the EV3 GT produces 288 horsepower, up from the 261 horsepower of the standard AWD models, and it adds a sport-tuned chassis for a more spirited drive. On top of all that, available Vehicle to Load (V2L) capability lets the EV3 power everything from a laptop to a coffee maker straight from its battery.
Space, Tech, and Everyday Usability
For a small SUV, the EV3 packs in a surprising amount of room. Behind the first row, Kia quotes 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space, and there is still 26.1 cubic feet behind the second row. Better yet, a 0.9-cubic-foot frunk up front adds handy extra storage that most rivals in this class simply do not offer. Rear-seat passengers also benefit from seatbacks that recline up to 39 degrees, so longer trips should stay comfortable for the whole family.
Inside, the EV3 punches well above its price. It carries nearly 30 inches of combined digital display, made up of a 12.3-inch driver’s cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a 5-inch climate panel, which is the same setup Kia uses in the far pricier EV9. In addition, available features include a head-up display, a Harman Kardon audio system, a 360-degree Surround View Monitor, a Blind-Spot View Monitor, and standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Finally, a U.S.-exclusive Nightfall Package dresses things up with gloss-black wheels, black emblems, bridge-type roof rails, and a dark gray interior for buyers who want a moodier look.
2027 Kia EV3 Specs
For the spec-focused among us, here is a quick rundown of the key 2027 Kia EV3 numbers, all drawn from Kia’s official figures.
Platform and Power
- 400V E-GMP dedicated electric platform
- Standard-range 58.3-kWh battery (Light, FWD)
- Long-range 81.4-kWh battery (Wind, Land, GT-Line, GT)
- EV3 GT: 288 horsepower
- Standard AWD models: 261 horsepower
- MacPherson strut front suspension, multi-link rear suspension
- 0.275 drag coefficient
Range and Charging
- Up to 321 miles of range (Wind FWD and Land FWD, per Kia)
- Up to a Kia-estimated 220 miles (Light, 58.3-kWh)
- Native NACS charging port, no adapter required
- DC fast charging, 10% to 80% in about 29 minutes (Light) or 31 minutes (long-range trims)
- Available Vehicle to Load (V2L) capability
Space and Technology
- 56.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the first row
- 26.1 cubic feet behind the second row
- 0.9-cubic-foot frunk
- Nearly 30 inches of combined digital display (dual 12.3-inch screens plus a 5-inch climate panel)
- Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Available head-up display, Harman Kardon audio, 360-degree Surround View Monitor, and Blind-Spot View Monitor
- 17-inch standard wheels, 19-inch available
Pricing
- 2027 EV3 starting MSRP: $29,890 (Light FWD)
- Range-topping EV3 GT AWD: $45,890
- Destination charge: $1,495
