Kia Ev3 vs Gac Aion V
What's the difference?

Kia Ev3

$41,888 - $71,548

2025 price

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Gac Aion V

$44,990 - $47,990

2026 price

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Summary

2025 Kia Ev3

2026 Gac Aion V

By Chris Thompson

By Stephen Ottley

Safety Rating

Engine Type

Not Applicable, 0.0L

Fuel Type

Electric

Fuel Efficiency

0.0L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Impressive range
Fun but not tacky styling
Useful standard features

Nice driving manners
Great value
Spacious cabin

Dislikes

Steering feels heavier than necessary
GT-Line is pricey, less convenient
Better than EV5 but won’t outsell it

Limited dealership and service network
Unclear resale prospects
Modest performance

2025 Kia Ev3 Summary

Kia Australia has big expectations for its littlest EV.

Not only is the small SUV priced to take on some of the very popular offerings from China, but it’s also packed with enough features to make a Euro buyer think twice. In fact, it starts from less than $50,000 drive-away.

We drove it at its global launch in South Korea and came away pretty impressed, so now the big question is - does it hold up now that its rubber is on the road here in Australia?

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2026 Gac Aion V Summary

Yep, here comes another new brand.

The Australian new car market has been flooded with new car brands in recent years, not exclusively but predominantly from China. GAC is the latest, joining the likes of BYD, Deepal, Geely, GWM, Leapmotor, MG and Xpeng in an increasingly crowded market.

Quite simply, the market is now so crowded it means any new company with long-term aspirations will need to find a way to cut through. Being cheap alone won’t do it, nor will being stylish or nice to drive. No single trait will be enough, instead you will need to tick as many boxes as possible to secure any long-term security.

Which puts a lot of pressure on the Aion V, the brand’s mid-size, all-electric SUV that has just arrived in Australia. It will go head-to-head with the likes of the Geely EX5 and Leapmotor C10 at the more-affordable end of the electric SUV market. But does it tick enough boxes to make an impact? Read on to find out…

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Deep dive comparison

2025 Kia Ev3 2026 Gac Aion V

Verdict

The GT-Line is relatively expensive, yes. The Air Standard Range isn’t groundbreaking even at under $50,000, no. But the sweet spot in the EV3 line-up is being able to pay $53,315 for the Air Long Range and come away with a roomy small SUV that can realistically cover almost 600km in the real world.

And it does everything properly, no big red flags or dealbreakers.

Its steering weight at speed on winding roads being the biggest complaint isn’t the end of the world for how otherwise comfortable the EV3 feels on-road.

Put it this way - I recently spent a few days in a Mini Aceman, a five-door electric SUV not too far from the EV3 in size. It is about as fast, and costs a little more, but it doesn’t have a lot more to offer in terms of features and it’s nowhere near as good on range with about 400km to its longer-ranged versions.

The EV3 might still have a bit of ‘sensible’ about it compared to some other electric small SUVS, but when it looks this cute and can get you an extra round trip out of the city compared to ‘Euro’ brands at the same price, it’s hard not to be impressed.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.

Verdict

Candidly, I questioned the logic behind GAC entering the Australian market, especially now given the seemingly non-stop influx of other brands. How could it really hope to stand a chance against so many similarly priced and similarly equipped rivals?

Well, the answer is by providing a better product. The Aion V is simply a better package than many of its rivals, Chinese and otherwise, at least based on our initial impressions.

It combines value and practicality but also adds a level of driving comfort and manners its Chinese rivals can’t match.

Is that enough to guarantee success? Not at all, but it’s a strong foundation to start with and at least gives GAC a fighting chance to not get lost in the crowd.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with accommodation and meals provided.

Kia Ev3 vs Gac Aion V What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Kia Ev3 vs Gac Aion V
What's the difference?