Kia EV3 Set for Asia-Pacific Debut in 2025 – Malaysia Included?

The Kia EV3 small EV crossover is poised to enter the Asia Pacific market later in 2025. Is Malaysia included on the list?

Months after making its global debut, the enigmatic Kia EV3 is now slated to enter the Asia Pacific market later in 2025. This was revealed by Kia Asia-Pacific (Kia APAC) during its Kia APAC EV Day event held earlier this week in Taiwan.

Set to go against the likes of the Volvo EX30 and smart #1, the EV3 currently stands as the smallest model in Kia’s current EV lineup, measuring at 4,300 MM long, 1,850 MM wide, 1,560 MM tall, and a wheelbase of 2,680 MM. Despite its small stature, the EV3 shares many design traits with the flagship EV9, featuring the same ‘Opposites United’ design concept as its bigger siblings.

Given its boxy and chiselled styling, it comes as a surprise that the EV3 boasts a pretty decent drag coefficient of only 0.263 Cd, which is good to prolong both its maximum EV range and driving performance.

The EV9 similarities continue as we get inside the EV3, with this compact EV crossover getting a similar front dash setup as the flagship model. Key pieces of equipment primed here include the dual 12.3-inch display complemented by a small 5-inch control panel for its climate control, tons of physical buttons and switches for essential controls, faux leather-wrapped seats with powered and ventilated function for the front units, a Harman Kardon audio system, and many more.

Underpinning the same E-GMP platform as its larger siblings, the EV3 is available in two battery specs, both featuring a 400-volt architecture. Starting with the base Short Range model, it employs a 58.3-kWh NMC-type battery pack that grants the EV3 with up to 435 KM of WLTP range while being able to be charged from 10-80% in just 29 minutes.

Meanwhile, the Long Range model gets a larger 81.4-kWh NMC unit that bumps its maximum EV range to an impressive 605 KM (WLTP). Due to its larger capacity, a 10-80% charge takes slightly longer for this model at 31 minutes.

On the powertrain front, the EV3 is solely available in a single-motor, front-wheel-drive (FWD) setup rated at 201 HP (150 kW) and 283 NM. This modest power output sees the EV3 getting from 0-100 KM/H in about 7.5 seconds for the Short Range model and 7.7 seconds for the Long Range model.

Despite its modest powertrain setup, the EV3 benefits from a slew of chassis tech that promises to grant it decent driving dynamics. Key to which is the Electric Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control (eDTVC) system that provided optimum traction control to this front-wheel-drive EV, while the i-Pedal 3.0 regenerative braking system grants the EV3 with a single-pedal driving mode.

While Kia APAC has confirmed the EV3’s arrival into the region, there are still questions regarding its eventual availability in our market. As of now, local Kia importer and distributor Dinamikjaya Motors (Bermaz Auto) has yet to iterate any official plans to bring this compact EV crossover, with the firm’s current Kia EV lineup only comprising both the EV9 and EV6.

So folks, what do you think of the Kia EV3? Could this Korean-made compact EV crossover hold a candle against the likes of Volvo EX30, smart #1, and Zeekr X in our local market? As always, don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments below…