The new EV3 compact SUV and EV4 sedan will start close to $35,000 in the U.S. as Kia wants to add affordable EVs to its lineup
by Sam D. Smith
October 12, 2023 at 03:00
Kia has unveiled two new electric concepts at its first annual EV Day. The EV3 and EV4 concepts preview two lower-priced battery-electric models that the company hopes to bring to market as soon as next year.
The Korean automaker’s extended electric vehicle lineup is designed to provide consumers with a range of smaller EV options, priced between $30,000 and $80,000. The company has ambitious goals, aiming to sell its first million electric vehicles by 2026 and projecting annual EV sales to exceed 1.6 million units by 2030.
Kia’s EV Concepts And Strategy Revealed
The EV3 is a compact SUV that will sit below the mid-sized EV5. Meanwhile, the EV4 is billed as a four-door sedan but adopts a coupe-like rear end that continues to be the trend for the segment. Both concepts pay particular attention to their interiors, with natural materials taking center stage in Kia’s continued quest for sustainability, combined with processes that reduce carbon emissions.
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The rest of Kia’s EV Day event focused on the company’s strategy going forward. That includes addressing concerns such as charging infrastructure, making their customer experiences more user-friendly, and providing in-vehicle artificial intelligence (AI) services.
The Kia EV3 Concept
Kia is billing the EV3 as a miniature EV9, and while the design language is undoubtedly shared, the concept manages to retain a unique take. From the front, it manages to soften the harder edges that exist on its biggest sibling, while in profile the compact dimensions aren’t played down.
The side view continues to blend the soft curves and hard edges that have become a staple of Kia’s design approach, complemented by a set of wheels that closely mimic the ones showcased on the EV9.
See Also: Hyundai, Genesis, Kia Hop On Tesla’s Charging Bandwagon Starting In 2024
Inside the EV3 concept, Kia talks of a cabin that promotes “emotional well-being.” As such, you get soft mood lighting, ergonomic seating, and a whiff of minimalism.
There’s lots of sustainability inside too. The seats are made out of natural fiber, which is touted as having an exceptionally strong structure, combined with being zero waste in comparison to carbon fiber. The EV3 concept’s center console meanwhile, was “grown” from mushroom roots (mycelium) using a process called bio fabrication.
The Kia EV4 Concept
Much like the Concept EV3, the Concept EV4’s exterior appearance is likely to carry on into production with minimal changes to the design.
It follows the same complex approach to surfaces as exhibited across Kia’s electric range, but adds a sleeker silhouette with a low snout up front. While Kia’s claims that the EV4 concept “redefines electric saloons” may be a stretch, their affirmation that the profile is evocative of sports and racing cars is closer to being on the money. Just about.
The interior of the Concept EV4 follows the path set out by the Concept EV3, incorporating new materials into its construction. Instead of mushroom roots, the EV4’s center console uses hemp fibers — a plant that grows quickly and requires minimal resources in its cultivation.
Related: Kia Opening EV9 Reservations On October 16 In The U.S.
Other areas of the Concept EV4’s interior feature 100 percent recycled cotton, dyed naturally using madder roots and walnut shells. Designers also incorporated hand-woven fabric stripes to create a 3D knit finish to the storage area and dashboard, similar to the seat covers found in the EV3.
Finally, the Concept EV4 comes with a new ‘Mind Modes’ feature that adjusts ambient lighting and ventilation patterns. For instance, in ‘Perform’ mode, the driver is given all the information needed for their day upfront. In contrast, the ‘Serenity’ mode offers a range of digital graphics to create a more relaxed ambiance.
Production-Ready Versions Around The Corner
Kia has confirmed that an EV3 compact SUV will be making an appearance sometime next year as a 2024 model, while we may have to wait a little longer for the unveiling of the production-ready EV4.
Both the EV3 and EV4 will likely ride on the E-GMP architecture, which would enable the crossover and sedan to use the 58 kWh and 77.4 kWh battery pack options from the larger EV6.