The American car market may finally be turning a corner when it comes to EV affordability. While automakers have focused on the upper bounds of the market with their EVs in the first half of the 2020s, things are finally trending downmarket a bit—aided by the new 2027 Kia EV3, which we now know will start at just $31,385.

The EV3’s base price applies to the front-wheel-drive Light trim level. Stepping up to the Wind model increases the price to $36,485, with all-wheel drive raising that figure by $3700. The front-drive Land trim starts at $39,985, and it requires a slightly lower $3200 to power both axles. Moving into the GT-branded models pushes the out-the-door price to $44,985 for the GT-Line, though that model comes with standard AWD, while the range-topping GT starts at $47,385.

We’ve also got updated range estimates for the EV3, courtesy of the EPA. The Standard Range Light trim is rated at 221 miles—one more than previous estimates, while the FWD Wind and Land trims with the Extended Range battery earn new max-range estimates of 321 miles—also up one from before. The AWD-equipped trims are rated in the middle, earning 280 miles from a full charge.

Kia says that despite a 400-volt architecture versus an 800-volt system underpinning the EV3, the SUV is still able to juice its smaller 58-kWh battery from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 29 minutes. Filling the larger battery from 10 to 80 percent requires just two more minutes.

The subcompact SUV from Kia joins other affordable electric models, such as the pickup from upstart Slate, which just launched at a $26,400 starting price. General Motors recently revived the $28,995 Bolt—even if just for a limited time—and Ford just confirmed that the upcoming Fathom EV pickup will start at $29,945.

Jack Fitzgerald’s love for cars stems from his as yet unshakable addiction to Formula 1. After a brief stint as a detailer for a local dealership group in college, he knew he needed a more permanent way to drive all the new cars he couldn’t afford and decided to pursue a career in auto writing. By hounding his college professors at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was able to travel Wisconsin seeking out stories in the auto world before landing his dream job at Car and Driver. His new goal is to delay the inevitable demise of his 2010 Volkswagen Golf.

Extracted and lightly reformatted for readability. · Source: pt