Kia's EV3 received the top score in a German electric-vehicle comparison evaluation.

Electrek, an electric-vehicle outlet, reported on May 28 that the Kia EV3 ranked first in Auto Zeitung's electric-vehicle comparison test in Germany.

The test included five electric crossovers: the Kia EV3, Renault 4 E-Tech, BYD Atto 2, Suzuki e-Vitara and Ford Puma Gen-E. The EV3 scored 3,039 points in total, ahead of the Renault 4 in second place with 2,936 points and the BYD Atto 2 in third with 2,928 points.

The evaluation covered five categories: space and practicality, ride comfort, powertrain, driving performance and cost efficiency. The EV3 received the highest assessment in every category. In a real-world driving test, it recorded a range of 335 km, the longest among the vehicles compared.

Auto Zeitung assessed the EV3 as having comfortable seats, a balanced ride and a responsive 150 kW electric powertrain. It said the Kia Connect-based connectivity functions provide both everyday usability and overall driving completeness.

Its use of Hyundai Motor Group's E-GMP platform was also cited as a strength. Auto Zeitung assessed the EV3 as combining a well-tuned suspension that effectively absorbs impacts from rough German roads with a strong ride suited to long-distance driving.

The EV3 has quickly increased sales since its European launch at the end of 2024. In Europe, it gained popularity in major markets on the back of a range of up to 375 miles, or about 603 km, and a starting price from about 36,000 euros. In Britain, it ranked third in EV sales in its first year after launch, behind Tesla's Model Y and Model 3, and placed 10th across Europe. As of early 2026, it remains one of the popular EVs in several regions, including Germany.

Against that backdrop, Kia is also preparing to enter the U.S. market. The EV3 was unveiled in North America in April and is set to be sold in the United States in late 2026 as a 2027 model year vehicle. Kia introduced the EV3 as an affordable electric SUV that includes many of the EV9's premium convenience features.

The U.S.-spec EV3 will come in five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line and GT. The base Light trim has a 58.3 kWh battery and a front electric motor, offering a range of up to 220 miles, or about 354 km. The higher Wind, Land, GT-Line and GT trims use an 81.4 kWh battery, with an expected range of up to 320 miles in front-wheel-drive form.

All-wheel drive is optional on the Wind and Land, and is standard on the GT-Line and GT. Using a 400-volt architecture, the 58.3 kWh battery model takes about 29 minutes to fast-charge from 10 percent to 80 percent, while the 81.4 kWh model takes about 31 minutes.

The price will be announced at the time of the official U.S. launch, but the starting price is expected to be around $35,000 or lower. If Kia maintains that price range, it would enter the U.S. affordable EV competition alongside the Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Toyota bZ. The fact that 8 of the top 10 EV models sold in the United States in the first quarter were SUVs is also cited as a variable that will determine whether the EV3 gains a foothold in the market.