Kia adds new top-spec grade to EV3 small electric SUV line-up

Kia Australia has announced that a new top-spec model has been added to the model range of the EV3 small electric SUV. Called the GT-Line AWD, it’s based on the GT-Line already on sale but – as you may be obvious – features an all-wheel drive system, making it the first AWD variant of the EV3 line-up to launch locally.

Priced from $66,490 plus on-road costs, which is $2540 more expensive than the front-wheel drive EV3 GT-Line, the all-wheel drive car is also more powerful thanks to the addition of a second e-motor on the rear axle. Standard front-drive EV3s produce 150kW/283Nm outputs, but the GT-Line AWD bumps that to a healthy 195kW/385Nm, which is enough grunt for a claimed 6.6-second 0-100km/h time.

To accommodate for the extra power and weight from the second motor, Kia Australia has added larger brakes, as well as a unique locally-tuned ride and handling package – with unique suspension and steering tuning for the GT-Line AWD model specifically.

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Featuring the same 81.4kWh lithium-ion battery as other Long Range variants of the EV3 range, the GT-Line AWD’s claimed WLTP range is 559km, which is just 4km less than the front-drive version. As with other Long Range EV3 variants, the GT-Line AWD can be DC fast charged at up to 150kW for a claimed 10-80 per cent charge time of as little as 31 minutes.

As it’s the top-spec model in the EV3 range, the GT-Line AWD features an extensive list of standard equipment, including 19-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, synthetic leather upholstery, a 10-way electric driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, dual 12.3-inch displays with a 5.0-inch climate control, wireless smartphone mirroring, sat-nav and Harman Kardon audio.

Safety features include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, adaptive lane guidance, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver attention monitoring, auto high beam, traffic sign recognition, front and rear parking sensors and a reversing camera.

2027 Kia EV3 pricing (excluding on-road costs):

The new variant of the Kia EV3 range will be available from Kia dealerships from early September.