Kia explains Aussie EV GT expansion plan: EV3 GT hot hatch looking good, but what about EV4 GT and EV5 GT?

February 3, 2026February 2, 2026 Bruce Newton 202 Views 0 Comments EV3 GT, EV4 GT, Kia, Kia explains Aussie EV GT plan

Kia’s newly revealed EV3 GT electric performance SUV is shaping as the strongest candidate among three new GT-badged EVs to reach Australia, with local executives indicating a decision is imminent.

The EV3 GT, unveiled alongside the EV4 GT and EV5 GT at the Brussels motor show last month, is considered the most straightforward business case for Kia Australia, while the EV4 GT remains under evaluation and the EV5 GT has effectively been ruled out.

Kia Australia product planning boss Roland Rivero described the EV3 GT as “a slam dunk” for local sale when speaking during the recent EV4 media launch, noting that formal approval is expected before the end of the current quarter. If signed off, the EV3 GT would be on sale here before the end of 2026.

The Korean-built EV3 GT uses a dual-motor all-wheel-drive layout producing 215kW and is expected to deliver a 0-100km/h time of 5.7 seconds.

It shares its European-developed performance hardware with the EV4 GT hot hatch, which uses the same powertrain and is marginally quicker to 100km/h at 5.6 seconds.

Both models use the long-range 81.4kWh battery pack, ride on 20-inch alloy wheels and feature a front-biased torque split, along with Kia’s virtual gearshift and active sound design. Driving range figures are yet to be confirmed.

The EV4 GT, however, presents a more complex case for Australia because it is built in Slovakia and its approval is tied to the broader EV4 hatch program from the same plant.

“We’re doing the number crunching on those [EV4s],” Rivero said.

By contrast, the EV5 GT — which offers a slightly more powerful 225kW version of the same drivetrain — is not being pursued.

Rivero indicated the Korean-built EV5 GT would be significantly more expensive than the Chinese-sourced EV5 models sold locally, which are based on different underpinnings.

“I don’t believe it will garner a huge amount of volume,” he said.

The EV3 GT’s prospects are strengthened by the fact it is already homologated for Australia and has undergone local chassis tuning work by Kia Australia’s ride and handling specialist Graeme Gambold, leaving only final approval outstanding.

Kia HQ in Korea is very keen for its new EV GT models to expand internationally as far as possible.

Pricing for the EV3 GT is expected to sit above the current EV3 GT-Line Long Range, which is listed at $63,950 plus on-road costs, suggesting the GT could exceed $70,000.

Before the EV3 GT potentially arrives, Kia will update the EV6 GT in February and introduce the new 374kW EV9 GT to the local line-up.

“Graeme’s very happy with that product [EV9],” Rivero said. “He’s pretty proud of it and it drives extremely well.”