2026 Kia EV3 GT-Line AWD undermines hot GT

Kia Australia has expanded its EV3 lineup with the introduction of the new GT-Line AWD which will whir in at the top of the range from September, priced from $66,490 plus on-road costs.

Replicating the equipment list of the existing single-motor GT-Line, the AWD adds an electric motor to the rear axle for a combined 195kW/385Nm and 0-100km/h in 6.6 seconds.

Cruising range has predictably been trimmed, but nowhere near as you might expect: 559km vs 563km (single-motor).

The extra grunt is offset by bigger brakes and paired with a unique chassis tune, with all the other GT-Line goodies – 19-inch alloys, black body kit, sunroof, head-up display, heated and cooled seats, powered tailgate etc – you can read about in our previous coverage.

With warm-hatch performance and hot hatch outputs, Kia Australia has confirmed the GT-Line AWD will serve as the flagship of the local EV3 range instead of the 215kW GT, opting to reserve the GT sub-brand for the halo EV6 and EV9.

“We wanted to bring AWD and the business decided that GT-Line would be a stronger addition to the lineup which we’re already really happy with,” a spokesperson told carsales.

Where that leaves the related EV4 GT remains to be seen since the EV3 GT was once considered “a slam dunk” for Australia, with the Euro-sourced sedan on the consideration list last we heard.

How much does the 2026 Kia EV3 cost?
Air Standard Range – $47,600
Air Long Range – $53,315
Earth Long Range – $58,600
GT-Line Long Range – $63,950
GT-Line AWD Long Range – $66,490
* Prices exclude on-road costs

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