R2 Competition - Kia EV3

[Gen(R3)Xer]

What do you think of the Kia EV3? It’s also coming to the US in 2026 (soon to be available in Korea and Europe). It’s a subcompact crossover just like the R2, but it starts at $10K less ($35K).

With the $7,500 tax credit going away we need cheaper EVs ASAP. This could be one to watch. Rivian has its work cut out for it. Hang in there guys! R3 where are you?

https://www.caranddriver.com/photos/g62080130/2026-kia-ev3-drive-gallery/

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[COdogman]

I’m sure it will sell. Hyundai and Kia EVs have been very popular and were selling well even during the mythical “decline” in interest in EVs.

 

[Alanparkcity]

I bought my wife an Ionic 5 from their corporate companion Hyundai. It is a very nice hot hatch style EV that sold for about $60k well equipped. The weakness is their infotainment system which is redundant, confusing and frustrating!

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

I bought my wife an Ionic 5 from their corporate companion Hyundai. It is a very nice hot hatch style EV that sold for about $60k well equipped. The weakness is their infotainment system which is redundant, confusing and frustrating!

I was considering leasing one of these until the R2 comes out. There are some crazy lease deals going on right now for the 2024 Ioniq 5. The 2025 is right around the corner though and will be the first non-Tesla vehicle with a NACS port built in. It’s also built in Georgia, but only gets half of the tax credit, while it lasts. Leases still get the full $7,500 off. Decisions, decisions…

 

[majorfriend]

Initial thoughts

Good entry level car IF you never do any road tripping. 130kW charging is rough. Good range though.

Quite a bit smaller than R2, about 16" less in length, 2" less in width, and 4" less in height.

We have an EV9, and this interior is comparable (though probably lower quality plastics). That's a good thing.

Kia software leaves a lot to be desired. Rivian software is vastly superior.

CCS charge port? Or is it getting NACS?

$22150 starting price in CO is a great price. I realize it isn't a direct competitor, but I think the extra ~$7k for a Model3 is worth it. Software that is 10x better, charging that is 2x faster.

Not something that would make me reconsider our R2 reservation.

Also just a note, we have no idea what is happening with the federal tax credit. Never trust what a politician SAYS they will do.

 

[majorfriend]

I was considering leasing one of these until the R2 comes out. There are some crazy lease deals going on right now for the 2024 Ioniq 5. The 2025 is right around the corner though and will be the first non-Tesla vehicle with a NACS port built in. It’s also built in Georgia, but only gets half of the tax credit, while it lasts. Leases still get the full $7,500 off. Decisions, decisions…

We leased an EV9 until R2 comes out. Great car, but hasn't come close to making me think we may want to keep it over the R2.

Software isn't great, I don't think legacy automates understand how to drastically improve vehicles via OTAs.

The interior is nice, but not anywhere near R1 quality, despite it being a similar price before lease incentives.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

Initial thoughts

Good entry level car IF you never do any road tripping. 130kW charging is rough. Good range though.

Quite a bit smaller than R2, about 16" less in length, 2" less in width, and 4" less in height.

We have an EV9, and this interior is comparable (though probably lower quality plastics). That's a good thing.

Kia software leaves a lot to be desired. Rivian software is vastly superior.

CCS charge port? Or is it getting NACS?

$22150 starting price in CO is a great price. I realize it isn't a direct competitor, but I think the extra ~$7k for a Model3 is worth it. Software that is 10x better, charging that is 2x faster.

Not something that would make me reconsider our R2 reservation.

Also just a note, we have no idea what is happening with the federal tax credit. Never trust what a politician SAYS they will do.

Nice quick comparison. Thanks. Yeah, those EV3 charging speeds are disappointing, especially if they carry over into 2026. It’s probably because of the 400V architecture vs. the 800V of their current vehicles. Obviously a cost-cutting measure. Do we have any idea what speed the R2 will charge at?

I’m not opposed to leasing a Model 3, but I’d prefer a hatchback. Model Y is just a little out of my price range though, hence why I’m looking at the Ioniq 5. I’m trying to keep lease payments around $300 a month.

I hope the $7,500 tax credit doesn’t go away, but you’re right, never trust what a politician says they’ll do or won’t do. They make all kinds of promises (and threats), but only seem to accomplish one or two major things per term at best. Talk is cheap.

Let's just hope that the US doesn’t slow down EV adoption even more than it already has. Lower interest rates will help, but the overall cost has to reach price parity with ICE vehicles before it will really take off.

 

[majorfriend]

Nice quick comparison. Thanks. Yeah, those EV3 charging speeds are disappointing, especially if they carry over into 2026. It’s probably because of the 400V architecture vs. the 800V of their current vehicles. Obviously a cost-cutting measure. Do we have any idea what speed the R2 will charge at?

I’m not opposed to leasing a Model 3, but I’d prefer a hatchback. Model Y is just a little out of my price range though, hence why I’m looking at the Ioniq 5. I’m trying to keep lease payments around $300 a month.

I hope the $7,500 tax credit doesn’t go away, but you’re right, never trust what a politician says they’ll do or won’t do. They make all kinds of promises (and threats), but only seem to accomplish one or two major things per term at best. Talk is cheap.

Let's just hope that the US doesn’t slow down EV adoption even more than it already has. Lower interest rates will help, but the overall cost has to reach price parity with ICE vehicles before it will really take off.

For a lease to hold over for a couple years the Hyundia/Kia products are great. The payment on our EV9 is just over $400/month. We put $1500 down. For a three row electric SUV I think that's pretty good, and Ioniq5/EV6 is arguably an even better deal.

Wouldn't want to own one, but hard to pass up on a lease.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

We leased an EV9 until R2 comes out. Great car, but hasn't come close to making me think we may want to keep it over the R2.

Software isn't great, I don't think legacy automates understand how to drastically improve vehicles via OTAs.

The interior is nice, but not anywhere near R1 quality, despite it being a similar price before lease incentives.

Have you gotten to see the R2 in person? I’d like to, but the closest showing will be in Detroit next year. I live in Columbus, Ohio and I see Rivians driving around on the regular. We even have a repair center. We need some love in the mid-west.

The OEMs really need to catch up with the startups when it comes to software and OTAs in general. They do tend to hold up better in build quality though (fewer rattles).

 

[majorfriend]

Have you gotten to see the R2 in person? I’d like to, but the closest showing will be in Detroit next year. I live in Columbus, Ohio and I see Rivians driving around on the regular. We even have a repair center. We need some love in the mid-west.

The OEMs really need to catch up with the startups when it comes to software and OTAs in general. They do tend to hold up better in build quality though (fewer rattles).

No, it was in Denver awhile back, but I wasn't able to make it.

 

[Gen(R3)Xer]

For a lease to hold over for a couple years the Hyundia/Kia products are great. The is payment on our EV9 is just over $400/month. We put $1500 down. For a three dots electric SUV I think that's pretty good, and Ioniq5/EV6 is arguably am even better deal.

Wouldn't want to own one, but hard to pass up on a lease.

I’m definitely leaning toward leasing for now. You can get cheap 2-year lease deal on a 2024 Ioniq 5 SEL for like $250 a month. Not bad for an EV.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

R2 is bigger. EV5 will be the competition. Not EV3.

 

[ndmiller]

Every EV is a competitor for Rivian (some good some bad) and the more the merrier, even RJ said that.

The issue with the EV market is simple. Lack of compelling choices. Having Hyundai/Kia/Volvo/VW/etc. all announce new planned EV's out more than just one year (2025) is a great thing for all brands.

 

[DaveA]

Can we put the Ioniq 5s drivetrain in the Rivian? Lol. It’s so smooth.

 

[Donald Stanfield]

Every time a new EV comes out, too many people ruminate about it taking market share from Rivian. It's not a zero-sum game, guys. New EVs are more likely to take market share from ICE than from Rivian. We need to expand the EV market as much as possible; that is the key to Rivian's success.

I love seeing these low-cost EVs coming out. Get the younger people into an EV and get them to realize their superiority over ICE vehicles. Then, as income grows, they will move up into the nicer EVs like R2 or R1. I do not doubt my mind EVs are a superior technology. We need more people to realize this, those people might buy a Rivian.

As someone who looked at everything on the market from 80-150K for my R1T replacement, I got the R1S Ascend. It was between that and the Hummer, and the Rivian is more livable daily. The EV9 wasn't nice enough, and the interior tech felt cheap. Although I liked the styling, I also like tech and the EV9 falls short in that regard.

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