2027 Kia EV3 first drive
With electrified vehicles becoming increasingly in-demand because of rising fuel prices, more and more automakers are pushing to bring accessible models to the Philippine market.
Kia Philippines is wooing first-time electric-vehicle (EV) buyers by launching the all-new 2027 EV3 on Monday at the Ayala Museum in Makati City. The all-electric, compact crossover joins the larger EV5 and the three-row EV9 in the South Korean company’s local battery EV lineup.
“The Kia EV3 marks an essential step as we expand our EV lineup in the Philippines,” said Kia Philippines managing director Jay Lopez in a press statement.
“By bringing award-winning global design, proven electric technology, and long-range efficiency to an accessible price point, the EV3 serves as our primary vehicle to lead the market’s shift toward electric mobility,” he added.
Members of the media got the chance to try out the Kia EV3 ahead of its launch. We checked how this new contender would fare against the tidal wave of battery EV crossovers already in the Philippines.
Standout design
Similar to the EV5 and EV9, the EV3 uses Kia’s “Opposites United” design language that combines curves and sharp edges to create a distinctive look.
Indeed, many of the EV3’s exterior features are identical to its larger cousins – the “Digital Tiger Face” incorporates boomerang-style LED daytime-running lights that frame the LED headlights. It also uses matte-black plastic on the lower grill to help this crossover retain a sleek face while offering good protection over rough roads.
Down the side, more matte-black plastic has been artfully added on the lower part of the doors and the fenders that add dynamic, geometric shapes to what would normally be a dull profile. This is complemented by the two-tone, 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/60-series tires, along with the hidden rear door handles.
The boxy back end is where the EV3 really stands out, particularly the waterfall-style LED rear taillights and the large tailgate spoiler. A splash of silver on the lower bumper adds a premium brightness to car.
The EV3 is available in the rather attractive Aventurine Green (the color of our test unit), along with Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black, Terra Cotta, Frost Blue, Shale Grey and Ivory Silver.
Space max
Despite being the smallest of the trio, the EV3 offers good space for five passengers and a sense of airiness.
This is helped greatly by the lack of a traditional center console – instead, there is a sliding tray that can also double as a small table. As with Kia’s other EV models, the EV3 gets a 30-inch display that includes the digital gauge cluster, the touch panel for the powerful dual-zone climate-control system and the 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system.
That last item is clear and easy to navigate, along with offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, although I wish that Kia added a 360-degree camera given that rather small rear windscreen. I also didn’t like the hard and scratchy plastics on the dashboard and door cards, which take away from the EV3’s premium aspirations.
Nonetheless, you get soft leather upholstery all around, with the Aventurine Green and Terra Cotta paint schemes matched with an attractive gray-and-blue motif (the rest get a duller gray interior). There are also traditional buttons and switches to help you operate the EV3’s functions without needing to take your eyes off the road (something many Chinese EVs would do good to emulate).
Other premium features include two wireless charging pads, five USB-C ports and an electrically adjustable driver’s seat. Cargo space in the EV3 is also better than many of its rivals (with a “frunk” also available for smaller items), although the lack of a spare wheel is a downside.
Fabulous drive
Despite weighing a hefty 2,980 kilograms, the EV3 is not only best-driving member of Kia’s all-electric trio, but also one of the finest-driving crossovers in the market as of press time.
Power is courtesy of a 58.3-kWh lithium-ion battery and a front-mounted electric motor for a combined output of 201 horsepower and 283 Newton-meters of torque. Acceleration is strong even at speeds that would get you a show-cause order from the government (we tested the EV3 in a closed course under supervised conditions).
Steering feel is superb in the heaviest setting, while the supple suspension provides just the right balance of cornering stability and ride comfort. Also, the brakes are powerful, although the pedal is slightly spongy.
Kia Philippines claims a maximum NEDC range of 511 kilometers on a single full charge, while a 350-kW DC fast-charger can get the battery from 10 to 80 percent in just 29 minutes. A full road test would allow us to verify these claims, as well as the EV3’s overall performance, in real-world conditions.
A great standard feature in the EV3 is the excellent Kia DriveWise active-safety suite. This includes life-saving systems like Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist.
China beware
With Chinese carmakers offering a seemingly endless number of EVs, it’s refreshing to see a legacy automaker come out with a small EV crossover that is eye-catching, reasonably well-equipped and a blast to drive.
The all-new Kia EV3 offers a great initiation to the EV lifestyle, as well as being a superb additional car. It is priced at P1,898,000, although customers who buy one on or before Oct. 31, 2026 get a P30,000 discount and a five-year free Preventive Maintenance Service plan.
The EV3 is also backed by a 5-year/160,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and an 8-year/160,000-kilometer high-voltage battery warranty. Our initial impressions pointed to a vehicle that outperforms similarly priced models like the P1,848,000 BYD Atto 3 Premium and the P2,135,000 Toyota Urban Cruiser BEV.
It is perhaps no small wonder that the Kia EV3 was the 2025 World Car of the Year – it simply elevates the market to the point where rivals need start climbing to keep up.
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