Kia has started assembling early prototype units of its upcoming EV3 electric SUV in Mexico, signaling progress toward the model’s planned launch in the United States later this year.
Registration data shows that 15 EV3 units were produced last month at Kia’s Pesquería facility in Nuevo León. These vehicles are believed to be initial test prototypes, aligning with recent sightings of camouflaged EV3 models undergoing road evaluations.
The limited production run suggests Kia is gradually ramping up manufacturing capacity in North America while keeping a relatively low profile. The timing coincides with the upcoming July review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), with local reports indicating the automaker is proceeding cautiously during this phase.
The EV3 has already demonstrated strong performance in international markets. Since its European debut in November 2024, the compact electric SUV has gained popularity due to its competitive pricing and notable driving range of up to 375 miles. With a starting price of around €36,000 (approximately $38,300), the model quickly climbed sales charts, ranking third in the UK within its first year and securing a spot among the top ten EVs across Europe and Australia.
Kia recently confirmed at the New York International Auto Show that the EV3 will be introduced in the U.S., addressing earlier uncertainty surrounding its rollout. Positioned as an entry-level electric SUV, the EV3 is designed to offer many of the features found in the larger EV9 while maintaining a more accessible price point.
In the U.S., the EV3 will be available in five trims: Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT. The base Light variant is equipped with a 58.3 kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor, delivering an estimated range of up to 220 miles.
Higher trims will feature a larger 81.4 kWh battery, extending the range to as much as 320 miles in front-wheel-drive versions. All-wheel drive will be optional on the Wind and Land trims, while it will come standard on the GT-Line and GT models.
Built on Kia’s 400-volt E-GMP platform, the EV3 supports DC fast charging, enabling a 10% to 80% recharge in approximately 29 minutes with the smaller battery and about 31 minutes with the larger pack.
Although official pricing has not been announced, the EV3 is expected to start at around $35,000 in the U.S., placing it below the EV6, which currently starts at $42,900.
The EV3 will enter a competitive and rapidly expanding segment of affordable electric SUVs in the U.S. market, where models such as the Hyundai IONIQ 5, Chevrolet Equinox EV, and Toyota bZ series are gaining traction. Tesla’s Model Y continues to dominate overall EV sales, followed by the Model 3 and a growing number of mainstream electric crossovers.
