Kia EV3 electric SUV (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 23 (Korea Bizwire) — Kia’s compact electric SUV, the EV3, has quickly become a dominant force in South Korea’s electric vehicle market, securing the top sales position this year and demonstrating broad appeal across age groups.
According to industry data released Sunday, Kia sold 429 units of the EV3 in January and 2,257 in February, totaling 2,686 units — the highest among all electric vehicles sold in South Korea during that period.
Trailing behind were the Tesla Model Y with 2,040 units, followed by Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 (1,538 units), the Casper EV (1,247 units), and Kia’s own EV6 (1,172 units).
Since its launch in July 2024, the EV3 has accumulated domestic sales of 15,537 units, maintaining impressive momentum. Notably, more than 80% of buyers have opted for the long-range model, highlighting consumer preference for extended driving range in EV purchases.
In the first two months of 2025, the “Long-Range Earth” trim alone accounted for approximately 40% of total sales.
This photo provided by Kia on Sept. 27, 2024, shows the company’s new dedicated EV manufacturing facility in Gwangmyeong, south of Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
A breakdown of buyer demographics reveals that the EV3 has won over drivers across all age groups, with the largest segment being those in their 40s (30%), followed by those in their 30s (24%), 50s (19%), 20s (16%), and those over 60 (10%). The relatively high proportion of buyers in their 20s and 30s — typically less represented in EV sales — underscores the model’s appeal to younger consumers.
Kia attributes this success to the EV3’s practical price point — available in the 30 million won range (approximately $20,700 at an exchange rate of 1,450 won to the dollar) after tax benefits and subsidies — and its premium features for its class. These include the i-Pedal 3.0 system, smart regenerative braking 3.0, and next-generation thermal management systems.
With Chinese EV giant BYD preparing to ramp up sales in the Korean market, industry experts predict the EV3 will serve as its strongest competitor.
“The EV3 is well-rounded, offering mass-market design, pricing power, and solid performance,” said an industry official. “Once BYD’s Atto 3 is fully introduced here, the battle in the compact EV segment will heat up significantly.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
