Kia EV3 AWD Gives Australian EV Shoppers a New Premium Small SUV Option

The headline change is the addition of a second electric motor, creating all-wheel drive and lifting outputs to 195kW and 385Nm. That is a meaningful increase over the existing front-wheel drive EV3 models, and Kia claims the new variant can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds. For drivers who regularly deal with wet roads, steep driveways or country trips, the extra grip may be just as important as the added performance.

Importantly, the AWD upgrade does not appear to come with a major range penalty. The new model uses the same 81.4kWh battery as other Long Range EV3 variants and carries a claimed WLTP driving range of 559km. That is only slightly below the front-drive GT-Line, giving buyers a relatively efficient way to add dual-motor traction. Kia has also fitted larger brakes and developed suspension and steering settings for Australian conditions, which should help the EV3 feel more settled on local roads.

For buyers looking at compare electric car loans, the new EV3 raises a familiar question: is it better to finance a lower-grade model with more range per dollar, or pay extra for comfort, equipment and all-wheel drive? The $66,490 list price places the GT-Line AWD well above the entry EV3 Air, but only $2,540 above the existing GT-Line front-drive model. For some borrowers, that smaller step-up may be easier to justify than moving into a larger electric SUV.

Equipment levels are also likely to influence the decision. The flagship EV3 includes features such as heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, premium audio, vehicle-to-load capability, connected services and a broad suite of driver assistance technology. These inclusions can reduce the temptation to add costly accessories later, but they still need to be weighed against loan size, interest rate and monthly cash flow.

Kia has ruled out a full EV3 GT for Australia, leaving the GT badge to larger halo models such as the EV6 and EV9. That makes the GT-Line AWD the performance peak of the local EV3 range. Before committing, buyers should model repayments across multiple deposit and loan-term scenarios, especially once on-road costs, charging setup and insurance are included.