Kia has announced pricing and specifications for the all-electric and highly-anticipated EV3, with pre-orders now open for the Korean brand’s most affordable electric vehicle yet.

Following the example of the EV6 and EV9, Kia will offer three grades to EV3 buyers in the UK called Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S, each with a generously equipped specification list as standard.

The EV3 Air is offered with a choice of 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh battery packs, with the ability to travel up to 267 miles with the 58.3kWh version, or up to 372 miles on the larger long-range 81.4kWh battery pack. GT-Line and GT-Line S versions are offered solely with the larger 81.4kWh battery choice, and are capable of driving up to 347 miles on a single charge (WLTP combined cycle).

UK deliveries will start from late 2024, with customers able to choose from all variants from launch. Fleet customers will benefit from the two per cent BIK (benefit-in-kind) rate for EVs in 2024/25 and three per cent for the 2025/26 tax years.

Every EV3 offers a generous repertoire of standard equipment. This includes a three-screen dashboard layout, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Kia Connect telematics system with seven years’ free access, over-the-air updates, heated front seats and steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera system, automatic headlight control, LED daytime running lights, high mounted brake lights, rear lights and rear fog lights, a 25-litre frunk, along with a wealth of safety features.

The starting point for the EV3 line-up is the Air grade. This is priced from £32,995 on-the-road for the 58.3kWh battery pack, and £35,995 with the long-range 81.4kWh battery pack. Both battery packs feature a front-wheel drive single-motor powertrain, producing up to 201bhp and peak torque of 283Nm.

As with almost all Kia models, the generous list of standard equipment means the only option for customers to choose is the paint. EV3 Air models feature an eye-catching Sunset Orange as standard, with four optional premium colours – White Pearl, Midnight Black, Lithium Silver, and Frost Blue – available for an additional £625.

The GT-Line grade costs from £39,495 and features only the long-range 81.4kWh battery pack for a driving range of up to 347 miles and it boasts aggressive GT-Line styling cues, and an even longer list of standard equipment. Similarly to the EV3 Air, it is offered as standard with Sunset Orange paintwork, but for £625 extra, can be selected with premium paint options called White Pearl, Midnight Black, Shale Grey or Pistachio Green.

The flagship of the EV3 line-up is the GT-Line S with a price tag of £42,995. Like the GT-Line, it features the 81.4kWh long-range battery pack and the WLTP combined cycle range of up to 347 miles. It also represents the pinnacle of the model line-up with the likes of an eight-speaker Harmon Kardon Premium Sound System, customisable head-up display, front sunroof with tilting and sliding function, electric front seats with memory functionality for driver’s side, front premium relaxation seats, heated rear outer seats, front ventilated seats, a smart power tailgate, a Vehicle-to-Load facility and lots more added to the mix.

Additionally, the ‘GT-Line S’ model is available with an optional heat pump for £900.

As with all new Kia EVs going forward, the EV3 has a strong focus on sustainability. Integrated into the dashboard for every version of the car is a QR code, which if scanned will direct the user to a landing page detailing Kia’s sustainability mission, and more information on exactly which recycled materials have made their way into the EV3’s cabin.

The Kia EV3 is the latest battery electric vehicle to arrive as part of Kia’s ‘Plan S’ strategy, which will see the brand launch 15 EVs by 2027, nine of which are destined for the UK. Order books for the EV3 are open now.