A reader in Mexico photographed a heavily camouflaged Kia EV3 prototype, and the timing raises some questions about North American plans
Kia once targeted a late 2025 U.S. launch, but that window has now fully passed. Built on E-GMP, it offers up to 372 miles of WLTP-rated range on a full charge. Small crossover could become the brand’s most affordable EV in North America.
Kia is one of the fastest-moving brands in the business. Now, a keen-eyed reader believes they’ve spotted something new, a model we’ve already seen overseas showing up much closer to home. The Korean automaker has brought an EV3 prototype across the Atlantic for testing in Mexico. It’s unclear why Kia would still wrap it in camouflage given that it’s already made its global launch, but the move could point to plans for bringing the sub-compact electric crossover to North America. Kia EV3 Review: Everything We Love About The EV9 Made More Affordable Despite the thick camouflage covering nearly every body panel, it's easy to match the EV3 that's already on sale elsewhere, including Europe. The short overhangs, upright stance, and boxy rear section are all visible, along with a high roofline that suggests Kia is prioritizing interior space over sleek styling. Photos Silvia García / Carscoops The test vehicle also appears to ride on aero-optimized wheels similar to those seen on other Hyundai Motor Group EVs, while the front end is completely hidden under padded covers designed to conceal the final lighting signature. The reader who snapped these photos, Silvia Garcia, told us that the same vehicle has been around town for at least a few days. Read: Kia Unveils Four New GT Models With Speed, Minus The Drama Testing there is especially interesting, as the country already builds several Kia and Hyundai models for global markets. Running prototypes in Mexico could simply be part of evaluating local road conditions. That said, it also lines up with the idea that Kia may be eyeing Canada for the EV3. European specification Kia EV3 Kia initially focused the EV3 on overseas markets, including Europe. When it debuted in 2024, though, the company did confirm plans for a U.S. launch, targeting late 2025 or early 2026 with a starting price in the in the low-to-mid $30,000s. That, as you may have noticed, hasn't happened, and nobody at Kia has said much since. A lot has changed in the meantime: the $7,500 federal tax credit is gone, the American EV market has cooled considerably, and tariffs are making the whole equation messier by the day. It would be entirely unsurprising if the EV3 never makes it stateside. The awkward part is that the appetite for affordable electric cars has never been stronger. The EV3 is built on Kia’s E-GMP platform and is currently offered with two battery options, a 58.3 kWh Standard Range and a larger 81.4 kWh Long Range pack, both driving a single front-mounted motor producing 201 hp . Depending on the battery, WLTP range is rated at up to 372 miles , while fast charging allows a 10 to 80% top-up in roughly 30 minutes under ideal conditions. Back in January, Kia also pulled the covers off a hotter EV3 GT, this time with a more serious edge. It uses the larger battery and bumps output to 282 hp , enough to cut the 0–62 mph sprint down to a claimed 5.7 seconds. Special thanks to Silvia García for the photos!
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