Kia EV3 and EV4 concepts teased ahead of October 12 reveal

Kia will reveal a pair of new electric vehicle concepts later this month and, to whet our appetites, it has teased the next two additions to the brand’s growing EV portfolio ahead of their debut on October 12.

The big reveal will form part of the inaugural Kia EV Day – a new annual event at which the Korean brand will showcase its “new electric models, concepts and technologies”.

Kia’s recent EV9 and EV5 concepts were both eerily close to the production models they previewed and so it stands to reason these new concepts will be almost production-ready, at least in terms of their designs.

The announcement was made alongside the release of a shadowy teaser image showing the new models nestled between the established EV6, EV5 and EV9 in a backlit studio with only their DRLs illuminated.

It’s clear from the outset that one of the models is the long-speculated and recently-spied compact SUV initially tipped to wear the EV4 nameplate, however, now it seems the electric Seltos alternative will be known as the Kia EV3, leaving the previous nomenclature free for use on a sub-EV6 electric fastback.

Weight is added to this theory by Kia’s description of two “new small- to medium-sized electric models” and previous confirmation from local executives that more affordable electric offerings are in the pipeline.

Both models are positioned next to their established counterparts in the image to better reflect their positioning and role within the growing EV line-up, with Kia seemingly following a similar naming structure to BMW in adorning its traditional body styles with odd numbers and its coupes/fastbacks with even numbers.

Spy imagery and unofficial renders of the EV3 allow us to largely know what to expect in terms of its exterior design, but this is the first time we’ve seen anything to do with a mid-size electric fastback that would inevitably lock horns with the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

The overall profile is similar to that of the EV6 (go figure) and yet its vertical lighting signature, blockier front-end and harsher contours give the EV4 concept its own persona – one we expect to inspire the look of the facelifted EV6 due in a couple of years.

“The Kia EV Day will provide a comprehensive display of the brand’s entire EV line-up, including the Kia EV5, EV6 GT and EV9,” said Kia today.

“Attendees can expect detailed specifications of the EV5, which was launched at the Chengdu Motor Show in August as well as the introduction of two new concept EVs.

“Subjects will include the brand’s comprehensive EV strategy, its ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy, updates on innovative customer experience (CX) strategies, and new product insights.”

Neither the EV5 nor the new EV3 and EV4 concepts have been confirmed for the Australian market yet, but the expectation is for all three models to eventually land in local showrooms, starting with the EV5 around mid-2024.

The EV3 will come next, potentially by the end of 2024, followed by the EV4 in 2025.

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