As we start writing this article, it is Thursday, October 12, 6:30 a.m. European time, 1:30 p.m. South Korean time. Kia EV Day 2023 was reportedly held yesterday, the embargo expires today, but…. we still don’t know anything. All we have is a blurry picture that was “leaked” that shows all the new and older electrics in full glory. It looks like the editors of EV-Catalog hit the jackpot with their predictions, which wasn’t so obvious at all.
Kia EV Day 2023 at a “leaked” event
In the illustration, which has been obtained by The Korean Car Blog, we see a range of old and new Kia electrics. Going from the left we have the models: Kia EV6, Kia EV4, Kia EV5, Kia EV3 and Kia EV9. The two we haven’t met so far, standing to the sides of the blue Kia EV5, are the gold Kia EV4 and the celadon Kia EV3:
Kia’s range of electric cars, including familiar models (Kia EV6 on the left, Kia EV5 in the middle and Kia EV9 on the right) and those new: Kia EV4, Kia EV3. If we were to look for a key to the colors used, we would consider that the four elements were the models: earth, fire, water and air. The fifth color could be the quinta essentia, the quintessence, or supposedly the ether that permeates everything.
Kia EV3 instead of Kia e-Soul / Soul EV?
The names of the two new models are not yet certain, but they look eminently plausible. Contrary to all previous conjecture, the small crossover is to be called the Kia EV3 (source), which is as we predicted a few days ago and different from what the Electrek portal still thinks. The car is meant to replace the Kia e-Soul so that it doesn’t cannibalize itself with the e-Niro, and is a B-SUV segment crossover with a bold front end and heavily marked air intakes at the bottom.
Some elements of its design are reminiscent of the new Kia Picanto (the outline of the daytime running lights, the narrow gap at the top, the outline of the air intakes at the bottom – pictured below). The Korean Car Blog claims that the price of the Kia EV3 will start around $30,000 net, in Europe it will probably be 32,000-37,000 euros, with the lower amount more likely to be for the 48 kWh battery.
Kia EV4 next to the Kia Ceed?
The second very intriguing model is the Kia EV4, the manufacturer’s all-new electric sedan. The outline of its rear is reminiscent of the lines of the Kia EV6, it’s possible that the intention is to be able to call it a crossover, as this body type is in high demand on the market. It’s the automaker’s first all-electric non-SUV, and should locate in the C-segment, sizing slightly above the VW ID.3 or Renault Megane E-Tech Electric.
The Korean Car Blog claims that the Kia EV4 will be the electric counterpart to the Kia Forte/Cerato/K3, which debuted in a refreshed form a few days ago (photo below; source). While the Kia EV3 is expected on the market as early as 2024, the Kia EV4 could appear either in the second half of 2024 or as late as 2025. By 2027, Kia wants to have as many as 15 pure electric car models on the market covering virtually all segments.
A note from the editors: we built the above article based on speculation and a “leak.” Official information should be available in the coming hours.
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