Kia axed its affordable EV, but a replacement is set to go on sale soon
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- Kia confirmed the Niro EV is dropped from its 2027 US lineup, with only the hybrid (HEV) version remaining, ending a model that started under $40,000 and offered 239 miles of range since 2019.
- The 2027 Niro HEV goes on sale this summer with a new design and Kia's ccNC infotainment system.
- The Kia EV3 launches later this year in five trims — Light, Wind, Land, GT-Line, and GT — with an expected starting price under $35,000.
- EV3 buyers can choose a 58.3 kWh battery (up to 220 miles of range) or an 81.4 kWh pack delivering an estimated 320 miles on FWD models; AWD is standard on GT-Line and GT.
- All EV3 trims ship with a native NACS charge port, and DC fast charging takes roughly 29 minutes (58.3 kWh) or 31 minutes (81.4 kWh) from 10% to 80%.
- Kia's EV9 three-row SUV is gaining traction, with over 7,000 units sold through June — up 42% from 2025 — signaling growing demand for Kia's electric lineup.
- The EV3 was Kia's top-selling EV in Korea in H1 2026 with nearly 18,500 units and ranked third among EVs in the UK in its first year.
Why it matters: Kia is ceding the sub-$40,000 EV slot to the EV3, which undercuts the Niro EV on price and beats it on range (up to 320 miles vs. 239), giving budget-conscious EV shoppers a new entry point with a native Tesla-compatible NACS port. The Niro EV's exit reflects how quickly the affordable EV segment has crowded in — competitors like the $34,900 Toyota bZ and $34,995 Chevy Equinox EV now sit at or below the Niro's old price.
