Tesla Model Y vs. Kia EV3 – The Truth
The Kia Corp revealed its new Kia EV3 to the world last week, and it was marvelous. A fully electric compact SUV, many automotive journalists were quick to talk about it and post blog articles. Then, there are those who feel a little sour that a new and shiny battery-electric vehicle (BEV) was released from their personal rival brand. A lot of people still like to talk about Tesla, even though it’s been outperformed by another brand more than once. With the new Kia EV3 boasting plenty of power, a comparison of the Tesla Model Y vs the Kia EV3 is out there, and it’s clear someone *cough*digitaltrends*cough* has a favorite. Based on the specs we have, let’s take a look at what’s really going on here.
Power
This one is a little tricky. We don’t know what kind of horsepower the EV3 can generate, but we know it’s not going to outshine its counterpart, the EV9. The largest output for the EV9 is 379 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque from the GT-Line trim. On the other hand, the first BEV from Kia, the EV6, can generate a total of 576 horsepower and 545 lb-ft of torque from its own GT trim. The average of both is 477 horsepower. The Tesla Model Y has a total of 455 horsepower at its highest performance configuration. Sadly, we can’t confirm the horsepower of the EV3 yet, but based on this guess, the EV3 wins in terms of power.
Design
Again, this is like comparing apples and oranges. The Kia EV3 is a compact SUV, whereas the Model Y is called a midsize SUV, but looks more like a full-size or passenger car at best. The Kia EV3 brings ample space to the interior of the vehicle with the Best-in-Class cargo volume, plus multiple storage compartments and a frunk. Riding on 19-inch wheels, the stance is strong and powerful. Inside, the cabin makes use of all the space possible with a floating console and steering wheel, plus a retractable divider/armrest. The Tesla Model Y is also pretty clean, but its display is half the size of the 30-inch widescreen display in the EV3. It doesn’t even support Apple CarPlay or Google Android Auto, two features definitely found in the Kia EV3. Instead, writers boast Tesla’s own infotainment system with “better software”. Again, it sounds like someone is feeling a little bruised that their Tesla is less powerful and comes with a smaller touchscreen.
All-Electric Range and Charging
Here’s another important one. The live premiere of the Kia EV3 quoted a total of 350 miles for the all-electric range (AER) with the potential to go even higher. Powered by an 81.4 kwH battery (for the long-range model), that’s a pretty nice distance consumers can cover before needing to recharge. The Model Y also has a long-range model, but it has an EPA-estimated range of 320. Of course, the same journalists claim to have Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP)-estimated range numbers for the model Y, and claim it can match the same AER of the Kia EV3 at 600km. The blog doesn’t mention anything about charging time for the contender, but the Kia EV3 can charge in 31 minutes from 10-80 percent, all while offering the driver a nice lounge with a relaxation seat that leans and moves back and video streaming apps.
Pricing
Again, the pricing has yet to be released. So of course the writers harp on this and claim their beloved Tesla is more affordable with a starting price of $44,990. This is what a bruised ego looks like, folks.
Want to learn more about the Kia EV3 and how it whips the competition? Set for a 2026 model year release, we’ll know soon enough. Follow along with us on Miami Lakes Automall social media.
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