Kia’s most affordable global electric car yet breaks cover ahead of schedule

The upcoming Kia EV3 electric car has surfaced online, revealing exactly what to expect from the SUV believed to be the company's most affordable electric car for global markets.

Published by CarWale, the EV3 is sized similarly to the Seltos – a small SUV – slotting in below the Niro, EV6, and upcoming EV5.

And given the smaller-still EV2 is out of contention for the Australian market due to production in Europe that would blow out costs, the EV3 is likely to remain the entry point to Kia’s electric line-up – if it is sold locally.

Sporting a closed-off front fascia, the EV3 – a near-match for last year's concept – also features sleek headlights and a modern daytime running light signature to denote its future-forward powertrain.

In profile, the front doors appear to feature the same flush-fitting handles as already seen in the EV6, EV5, and EV9 models, while the rear door handles are 'hidden' in the rear window pillar.

From the rear, the EV3 looks to sport a roof-mounted rear spoiler and slender tail-lights.

Aside from exterior styling, the interior of the EV3 was also exposed as images show off dual displays for the infotainment and instrument cluster – as well as a smaller panel for climate controls – all housed in a single, elongated panel.

Fans of physical buttons might want to look elsewhere, as it appears the EV3 only sports a handful of controls on the dashboard.

Also glimpsed is a two-spoke steering wheel, 'floating' centre console, and two-tone fabric seat trim.

Technical details are still to be confirmed, but some overseas reports claim the car will use a 112kW electric motor driving the front wheels, and a 45kWh battery pack.

The EV3 is expected to be offered exclusively with front-wheel drive, and use electrical components running at 400 volts, rather than the 800 volts of the EV6 and EV9.

The 2025 Kia EV3 will be fully revealed later this month, and is expected to go into production later this year.