Kia’s low-cost electric SUV crushed it in its first full year of sales. The EV3 may be small, but it’s already having a big impact on sales.
Kia EV3 leads sales surge in its first full year
After launching the EV3 in late 2024, the compact electric SUV quickly became one of the most popular electric vehicles in Europe, South Korea, and a few other global markets.
In the first half of 2025, it became the best-selling retail EV in the UK and ranked in the top 10 in Europe. In October, Kia announced it had sold over 75,000 EV3s in the first nine months of 2025.
With new sales data being released, we are getting a better idea of how the compact electric SUV performed in its first full year.
Thanks to the success of the EV3, Kia remained the largest car brand in the Netherlands, its third time beating out Volkswagen, Toyota, and other top global OEMs.
Kia credited its entire electric vehicle lineup, including its best-seller, the EV3, as well as the EV6 and EV9. In the fourth quarter, Kia also introduced the EV4, its first electric hatch, and the midsize EV5 SUV.
The Korean automaker held a 9.8% market share with 37,837 registrations, according to official data from the RAI Association, BOVAG, and RDC. Volkswagen ranked second with 31,883 registrations, followed by Skoda (27,884), Toyota (27,806), and Renault (24,601).
The top five most registered vehicles (EVs or ICE) were the Skoda Enyaq (11,960), Kia EV3 (10,973), Tesla Model Y (10,790), Kia Picanto (8,858), and Toyota Aygo X (6,947).
In the UK, the EV3 ranked third among retail EVs, with 5,343 registrations in its first full sales year. The compact electric SUV helped Kia break its annual sales record, making it the fourth-best-selling brand in the UK with a 5.6% market share.
The UK has become a key battleground market, with electric vehicles reaching one-third of the market in December. Chinese brands like BYD and MG are quickly gaining market share with lower-priced EVs such as the Dolphin Surf and the MG 4.
In Australia, another overseas market that Chinese brands are flocking to, the EV3 ranked as the 10th-best-selling EV in 2025.
The EV5, Kia’s midsize electric SUV, was the fourth-most-popular EV in Australia last year, behind the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, and Tesla Model 3.
Kia expects the momentum to continue in 2026 with a full EV lineup, including a new entry-level EV2, the EV3, EV4, EV5, EV6, EV9, and PV5.
For those in the US, the EV3 is still expected to arrive at somepoint in 2026. Despite delaying the EV4 indefinitely, Kia America’s marketing boss, Russel Wager, told Car and Driver in November that bringing the compact electric SUV to the US is still part of the plan.
The EV3 starts at about 36,000 euros ($42,000) in Europe. It’s available with two battery packs, 58.3 kWh or 81.48 kWh, delivering WLTP ranges of 430 km (270 miles) and 599 km (375 miles), respectively.
At 4,300 mm long, 1,850 mm wide, and 1,560 mm tall, Kia’s compact electric SUV is about the size of the outgoing Chevy Bolt EUV.
In the US, it’s expected to start at around $35,000 to $40,000. We’ll learn prices and final specs closer to its launch.
Electrek’s Take
A relatively affordable electric SUV with plenty of range and modern tech actually sells? Who would’ve thought? Now, several automakers are planning to launch smaller, lower-priced electric cars, including Ford and Volkswagen.
Kia and Hyundai are quickly winning over buyers with affordable, efficient EVs like the EV3 and Inster EV. In 2026, Kia and Hyundai will introduce a new pair of entry-level EVs, the EV2 and IONIQ 3, as they look to stay ahead.
Meanwhile, Volkswagen is launching the ID. Polo in Europe this spring, the first of four new entry-level models. The ID. Polo will go head-to-head with the EV2 and IONIQ 3 as automakers look to grab a share of the growing demand for smaller, lower-priced EVs.
While others are scaling back EV plans, Kia plans to cover nearly every segment with models ranging from the EV2 to EV9.
Kia is coming off its best sales year ever in 2025, with 3.13 million vehicles sold globally. Next year, the Korean automaker aims to sell 3.35 million vehicles as it expands into new segments.
If you don’t want to wait, Kia is offering some pretty generous deals on current EV models, including discounts of over $10,000 across the entire lineup. You can use the links below to see what’s available near you or book a test drive.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
