Kia is slowly building quite the EV family in the Philippines. The EV6 started things off when it arrived in 2023, giving Filipinos their first taste of Kia’s new generation of purpose-built electric vehicles. Then came the EV9 a year later, bringing a much bigger size and a trophy cabinet that already included World Car of the Year and World EV of the Year. Kia followed that up with the smaller EV5, which made its Philippine debut at the 2026 Manila International Auto Show.
Now, Kia is going even smaller—and more importantly, more attainable.
Meet the all-new Kia EV3, the brand’s compact electric crossover that brings much of the technology and design language of Kia’s larger EVs into a package priced below PHP 2M. The EV3 measures up as one of the more compact members of Kia’s electric family, but it doesn’t exactly look like the entry-level model. Kia carried over the same design philosophy seen on its larger EVs, giving the lineup a family resemblance that makes the EV3 look more expensive than its price tag suggests.
It can be easy to confuse it with the EV5 from a quick glance. The overall shape and front-end treatment are familiar, although the EV3 gets its own identity toward the back. Its vertically oriented taillights and more complicated rear bumper give the smaller crossover a distinct appearance. LED lighting all around, 17-inch Alloy Wheels, Roof Rails, and a Rear Spoiler round out the exterior.
Step inside and Kia makes a bigger effort to differentiate the EV3. The dashboard follows the now-familiar Kia formula with a wide dual 12.3-inch screen setup serving as the digital instrument cluster and infotainment display. There are also two wireless charging pads tucked beneath the dashboard, keeping the center console relatively uncluttered.
The EV3 also has a trick between the front seats. The EV3’s floating armrest slides forward far enough to become a makeshift table. Kia clearly had those moments in mind when you’re parked somewhere waiting for someone, answering a few emails, or grabbing a quick meal from a drive-thru. It’s a small detail, but one that gives the EV3 a bit more personality than simply being a scaled-down EV5.
The list of amenities is pretty generous, too. The driver gets an 8-way Power-Adjustable seat with Lumbar support, while Dual-Zone Automatic Climate Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a 6-speaker Audio System take care of the everyday stuff.
Kia hasn’t forgotten about the people in the back, either. Rear Air Vents keep the ventilation flowing back there, while USB ports mounted directly on the seatbacks mean passengers can plug in their devices without having to reach all the way down to the floor.
There’s even a small frunk under the hood. It isn’t meant for the weekly grocery run, but it can swallow smaller items such as shoes, charging cables, or a change of clothes. The bigger storage space, of course, remains at the back.
The real surprise under the hood is the EV3’s powertrain. Kia kept things simple with a single electric motor producing 204 PS and 283 Nm of torque. It draws power from a 58.3-kWh battery pack, which gives the EV3 a claimed NEDC range of up to 511 km.
For home or regular AC charging, a 10% to 80% charge takes 5 hours and 20 minutes. Find a sufficiently powerful DC fast charger, meanwhile, and the same 10% to 80% window can be cut down to just 29 minutes using a 350-kW charger.
The EV3 may be the smaller and cheaper Kia EV, but they didn’t exactly strip it down when it came to safety. Its standard equipment includes 6 airbags, Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, Downhill Brake Control, and High Beam Assist. Kia Drivewise then adds a collection of driver-assistance systems, including Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind-Spot Collision Avoidance, and Lane Keeping Assist, among others.
What makes the Kia EV3 very enticing is its price tag. It has an SRP of PHP 1,898,000, putting a dedicated Kia EV with a claimed 511-km NEDC range below the PHP 2-million mark. Buyers can choose Aventurine Green or Terra Cotta, both paired with a Dark Blue two-tone interior. Frost Blue, Ivory Silver, Shale Grey, Aurora Black Pearl, and Snow White Pearl are also available, with those colors getting a Subtle Grey interior.
With the EV3, Kia is taking another to the masses Considering that this is another model carrying World Car of the Year credentials, Kia is clearly hoping that its smaller EV can make just as big an impression.
