Debuting later this month, this is the Kia EV3 - compact BEV to take on rivals from Volvo, Smart

Kia's next expansion of its battery-electric vehicle (BEV) portfolio will take the form of the Kia EV3 that will make its full debut on 22-May, 2024, live on the Kia Worldwide YouTube channel.

The EV3 is a compact SUV (think along the likes of the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1), and will join the range alongside stablemates like the Kia EV6 and the Kia EV9 – both of which are available in Malaysia.

Design cues build on the foundations of its handsome siblings, showcasing bold, geometric shapes with boxy rear fenders and tailgate. It's also got the new family face with curved headlights too, something that the EV6 facelift will gain.

Specifications are a bit too early to tell at the time being, though this is touted to replace the discontinued Kia Soul BEV in European markets. For comparison, the Soul BEV was packed with a 201 PS / 395 Nm electric motor paired to a 68 kWh battery, good for 450 km of range.

Other than these, the EV3 will also employ sustainable materials within its cabin, just like the earlier Kia BEVs.