Kia is betting its new lineup of affordable EVs, like the EV3, can beat the incoming wave of Chinese models in Canada, but affordability is only one part of the equation.
Kia bets on affordable EVs to take on China in Canada
After launching the EV3 in Canada in August, Kia said it was the lowest-priced electric vehicle on the market, starting at CAD $39,744.
It may not hold the title for long, though. Canada struck a deal with China earlier this year, allowing up to 49,000 electric vehicles to enter the Canadian market at a 6.1% tariff rate.
According to Kia Canada’s COO, Elias El-Achhab, the company sees the deal’s timing as an opportunity.
“I thought it was just a bonus,” El-Achhab said during Automotive News Canada’s Retail Forum this week.
Kia is “trying to be the first affordable EV brand in the country,” he said, but that doesn’t necessarily mean just offering the lowest-priced vehicle. The Korean automaker is focusing on offering EVs at an affordable price that still come with the tech and features buyers want.
The EV3 (check out our review) joins Kia’s other mass-market electric vehicles, including the EV4 and EV5, that are now on sale in Canada.
When asked whether Kia could face more competition from China because of its positioning as a low-cost brand, El-Achhab said: “I actually think the opposite.”
“Because we are more affordable … and I will reiterate, it’s more of a value equation that we offer,” he explained during the Forum.
While Kia still offers vehicles across all powertrains, El-Achhab said that around 90% of those who buy an EV tend to stick with it.
At Kia’s national dealer meeting last week, he said the company’s vision had plenty of support, adding that orders for the EV3 and EV5 are already backed up.
The EV5, Kia’s midsize electric SUV, starts at CAD $43,495, and the EV4 starts at CAD $38,995 in Canada.
Although Kia delayed the EV4 for the US “indefinitely” and has no plans to bring the EV5 to the States, the EV3 is now on sale. Starting at $29,890, the 2027 EV3 is among the most affordable electric vehicles currently available in the US.
The 2027 Kia EV3 is available in four trims with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive (AWD) powertrain options in the US and Canada.
Buyers can choose from two battery pack options. The lowest-priced EV3 Light FWD model uses a 58.3 kWh battery and delivers up to 221 miles of range. The Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT use a larger 81.4 kWh battery that delivers up to 321 miles of range on a single charge.
Inside, the interior features Kia’s new ccNC (connected car Navigation Cockpit) with standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The setup includes nearly 30″ of screen space combined, including dual 12.3″ driver display and infotainment screens, and an added 5″ climate control display.
All EV3 variants come with a built-in NACS port so that drivers can charge at Tesla Superchargers without a separate adapter.
The 58.3 kWh battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes using a 350 kW DC fast charger, while the 81.4 kWh battery takes around 31 minutes.
All EV3 models come with standard i-Pedal 3.0 one-pedal driving, vehicle-to-load (V2L), and Smart Cruise Control (SCC).
Want to see if the Kia EV3 is right for you? See what local dealers are offering and find one near you.
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