KIA is preparing a new small electric SUV, which will be located below the already known EV5 (equivalent to the Tucson) and the future EV4 (equivalent to the Niro): the EV3. This model will be called to replace the Stonic and Soul in the B segment (utilities), one of the most important categories in the European market.
Unlike the e-Soul and e-Niro, it will use a platform designed specifically for electric cars instead of a multi-energy one, which will allow it to offer better performance, autonomy, and charging. It is still not clear if it will be the already known E-GMP of the EV5, EV6, and EV9, or if, on the contrary, it will be based on the new eM.
Rumors suggest that the latter will be the chosen option, being one of the first electric cars from the Hyundai group to use it. It is also unknown whether it will enjoy a 400 or 800-volt system. As for its autonomy, it should be around 600 km WLTP, a very notable figure for a model of its size.
Scheduled for 2027, it will be one of the eleven electric cars that KIA will launch on the market over the next four years as part of its corporate Plan S. Due to its size, it will be especially aimed at the Chinese and European markets, making it practically impossible for it to reach the United States due to its small dimensions.
KIA will launch a total of eleven electric models until 2027
Compared to the E-GMP, the eM will be characterized by being much more flexible, since it will be able to cover a greater variety of segments: from small vehicles to large SUVs and trucks. Therefore, we are talking about a platform with a very similar philosophy to Volkswagen’s SSP, whose debut was recently postponed to 2028.
This will be the basis that all new generation electric cars from the Hyundai, KIA, and Genesis brands will use, the last of which currently sells a single model based on the E-GMP: the GV60. The rest (Electrified GV70, Electrified G80) use adapted thermal platforms.
