Kia says there's room for two small electric SUVs

You might think the upcoming small, electric Kia EV3 crossover would spell the end of the small, electric Kia Niro crossover, but you’d be wrong.

Kia says the two similarly sized vehicles will co-exist.

“We continue to sell the Niro EV together with the EV3 in the market, because each market has different tastes or customer preferences,” Kia Motors president Ho-Sung Song told media.

“Some markets still prefer the Niro EV, but maybe some markets going forward [will prefer] the EV3.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

EV3 Credit: CarExpert

“In the meantime, Niro has a hybrid model, and we expect that there will be more weight for the Niro hybrid model rather than the EV model, when we launch the EV3.

“We have focused the EV3 more on the EV-dedicated customers, and Niro will [have] more weight for hybrid customers.”

The new, front-wheel drive EV3 rides on the dedicated electric E-GMP platform, and measures 4300mm long, 1850mm wide and 1560mm tall on a 2680mm wheelbase.

The front-wheel drive Niro, in contrast, utilises a combustion-engine platform, and measures 4420mm long, 1825mm wide and 1570mm tall on a 2720mm wheelbase.

Supplied Credit: CarExpert

It’s only towards the beginning of its lifecycle, having been revealed late in 2021 and launching locally in 2022.

In addition to riding on a dedicated electric vehicle (EV) platform, the EV3 will eventually get a dual-motor all-wheel drive configuration and a hot GT variant – neither of which are available on the Niro.

Kia Australia has previously suggested the Niro mightn’t have a future locally, even if there appear to be no plans to axe it globally.

Niro EV Credit: CarExpert

Asked about the Niro’s long-term future Down Under late last year, Kia Australia’s general manager for product planning, Roland Rivero, said ongoing market demand will dictate any vehicle’s importance and relevance.

“Niro remains an important global product, particularly for Western Europe,” Mr Rivero told CarExpert.

“For Australia however, we need to continuously evaluate the role of any vehicle line.”

“Post the launch of Sportage HEV and EV5, we will monitor the Niro’s coexistence within the Kia model range and decide accordingly.”

MORE: Everything Kia