Kia EV3 starts under $31,000 in US

Kia has set US pricing for its EV3 electric crossover, with the base model starting at $29,450 plus a $1,495 destination charge, bringing the total to $30,945. The company announced the figures on August 14, 2026, making the EV3 the most affordable electric vehicle in its lineup.

The EV3 offers up to 321 miles of all-electric range and comes in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. Its dimensions are nearly identical to Kia's Niro crossover, and it incorporates design elements from the larger EV9 SUV.

The sub-$31,000 starting price matters because affordable EV options in the US have become scarce. After the Trump administration rolled back Biden-era tax credits in July 2025, several automakers discontinued EV models or scrapped their electric vehicle plans. The Kia EV3 joins a small group of vehicles, such as the Slate Truck, that manage to stay under $30,000 before destination fees.

Kia had originally targeted a price below $35,000 when it confirmed the EV3 for the US market in April. The final pricing beats that goal by more than $4,000. The EV3's starting price of $29,450 is lower than any other electric car Kia currently sells in the United States.

The affordable EV segment is expected to expand soon. In early August, Ford announced that its upcoming "Fathom" EV truck will cost $28,350 and should ship in early 2027. Financial incentives for EV buyers are also returning: in July, California introduced a rebate program offering first-time buyers a $3,500 instant rebate on new EVs and a $1,500 instant rebate on used EVs.