► Kia EV3 GT unveiled at Brussels Motor Show
► 288bhp dual-motor AWD powertrain
► GT-specific chassis and suspension tweaks
Kia is giving its EV3 electric car a performance twist. Unveiled at the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, the EV3 GT leads a wave of GT-branded Kia electric models and is revealed alongside the EV4 GT and EV5 GT, as the brand sharpens the driver-focused edge of its EV range.
Kia Europe boss Soohang Chang says the GT models are intended to add a sharper edge to the driving experience without sacrificing the everyday usability that underpins the rest of Kia’s EV line-up. Given the strong positive reception the EV3 and its stablemates have received so far, it’ll be interesting to see how much extra distinction the GT treatment brings in practice.
The headline change is under the skin. The EV3 GT adopts a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup producing a combined 288bhp, backed by an 81.4kWh battery. Kia quotes a 0-62mph time of 5.7 seconds, moving the EV3 firmly beyond warm crossover territory.
Chassis changes play a key role in the GT transformation. Electronically controlled suspension with GT-specific tuning is fitted, alongside wider 20-inch wheels and performance-oriented tyres. Torque vectoring is also part of the package, aimed at improving cornering response and stability compared with the standard EV3.
A dedicated GT drive mode brings those elements together, adjusting power delivery, steering weight and suspension behaviour in one hit. Kia has also leaned into digital theatre, with features such as Virtual Gear Shift – as per other performance EVs from Kia and Hyundai, this is designed to mimic a conventional gearbox, adding a greater sense of involvement to the EV3’s single-speed transmission – and an active sound profile that changes with accelerator input.
The EV3 GT’s cabin mirrors the approach taken outside: familiar, but with a sportier edge. GT-specific seats borrow inspiration from the larger EV9 GT, while the interior trim gains contrasting accents and ambient lighting that changes depending on the selected drive mode. It’s more purposeful than the standard EV3 without tipping into full track-toy seriousness – very much in keeping with Kia’s previous interpretation of the GT badge.
Tech levels are predictably high, too, with the EV3 GT inheriting Kia’s latest driver-assistance systems and connected features, including remote parking functions and vehicle-to-load capability.
The EV3 GT forms part of a broader GT push that also includes the EV4 GT and EV5 GT, all revealed together in Brussels. While those models span different body styles and sizes, the EV3 GT is arguably the most important – bringing GT branding and performance upgrades to a compact electric SUV that sits right in the heart of the European market.
Production of the EV3 GT is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026, with UK pricing and full specifications still to be confirmed.
Paula Cullington is a Staff Writer for the Bauer Digital Automotive Hub, specialising in ownership content and advice. She writes for Parkers and CAR but can also be found shaping their social media channels.
By Paula Cullington
Resident ownership writer and consumer journalist, helping motorists navigate the car world
