Kia EV3 to Replace Discontinued Niro EV as America's Most Affordable All-Electric SUV

Kia has officially confirmed that the 2027 model-year Niro will fully discontinue its all-electric variant and offer only hybrid powertrains. This shift marks the exit of the entry-level all-electric crossover SUV from the U.S. market — a model launched in America in 2019 with a starting price of around $40,000 and a rated range of 239 miles (≈385 km).

According to official information, the 2027 Niro HEV will launch this summer featuring an all-new design language and equipped with Kia's latest ccNC intelligent cockpit system. This move is widely seen as clearing the path for a new electric model — Kia's highly anticipated compact all-electric SUV, the EV3, which is confirmed to go on sale in the U.S. within 2026, succeeding the Niro EV as the brand's most affordable electric offering.

In April this year, the EV3 made its North American debut, with Kia positioning it as an 'entry-level electric SUV featuring multiple advanced features from the EV9,' emphasizing smaller dimensions and lower entry barriers. The vehicle offers five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and top-tier GT. It comes with two battery options: the base Light trim features a 58.3 kWh battery pack and a single-motor front-wheel-drive system, delivering an estimated WLTP range of 220 miles (≈354 km); Wind and higher trims offer an optional 81.4 kWh battery, with front-wheel-drive variants achieving up to 320 miles (≈515 km) under WLTP conditions.

All-wheel drive is standard on GT-Line and GT trims, and available as an option on Wind and Land trims, with a combined system output of 261 horsepower; the GT trim boosts peak power to 288 horsepower. Both battery variants support DC fast charging — the 58.3 kWh version takes approximately 29 minutes to charge from 10% to 80%, while the 81.4 kWh version requires about 31 minutes. All models come standard with North America's universal NACS charging port.

Inside, the EV3 features Kia's latest ccNC system, integrating a 12.3-inch fully digital instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch central infotainment display, and a 5-inch climate control screen — totaling nearly 30 inches of display area. Higher trims offer optional 12-inch head-up display and an 8-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

Although Kia has not yet announced final U.S. pricing, multiple sources indicate the EV3's starting price is expected to fall below $35,000. For reference, the model has performed strongly in its home market: nearly 18,500 units were sold in South Korea during the first half of 2026, making it Kia's best-selling electric vehicle there; in the UK, it ranked third among all-electric vehicles in its first year and tenth overall in Europe.