Kia has been hinting for a while that compact EVs don’t have to be polite. Now the GT family stretches down to the smallest member of the lineup. The EV3 GT is already taking orders in Germany, with the first cars heading to customers in early August.
Under the skin sit two electric motors and all-wheel drive. The front unit makes 197 hp, the rear adds another 95 hp, for a combined 292 hp and 468 Nm. Zero to 100 km/h takes 5.7 seconds. Not bad for a compact crossover. Electronically controlled dampers and the Road Preview system adapt the suspension to the road surface in real time, while a dedicated GT mode sharpens the drivetrain, steering, suspension and even the dashboard graphics for a sportier feel.
To really convince you that this isn’t just another urban runabout, Kia added virtual gear shifts and synthetic engine sound — a trick borrowed from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N playbook. The 81.4 kWh battery promises up to 501 km of range. DC fast charging from 10 to 80% takes 31 minutes, and an optional 22 kW onboard charger is on the menu.
The package includes 20-inch wheels, neon brake calipers, sport seats, a panoramic display, a Harman/Kardon sound system, a head-up display and a heat pump. Prices start from 53,990 euros. Next to the usual crop of city-friendly EVs, the EV3 GT looks like a provocation — a compact body wrapped around the soul of a hot hatch.
