Kia Unveils the EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT Versions: The Performance EV Revolution
The 2026 Brussels Motor Show just served up a massive surprise for anyone who thought affordable electric cars were destined to be boring appliances. In a move that feels like a bold statement of intent, Kia Unveils the EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT Versions to the world. This isn’t just a minor trim update or a few sportier badges glued to the trunk. It is a fundamental shift in how the brand views its mass-market electric vehicles, effectively democratizing the “GT” performance DNA that was once the exclusive territory of the high-priced EV6 and EV9 flagships.
The Kia V3 GT crossover features bold styling and GT-specific design elements.
Walking through the show floor, you could tell the engineers had been busy. These new entries take the existing E-GMP architecture and push it into a much more aggressive space. While the standard versions of these cars focus on maximum efficiency and “living room” comfort, these GT iterations are clearly aimed at the driver who misses the mechanical feedback of a hot hatch or a sport-tuned SUV.
Dual Motors and Real-World Muscle
Underneath the floor, the EV3, EV4, and EV5 GT have undergone a massive heart transplant. Forget front-wheel drive; the real story with these new GT versions is the addition of dual-motor All-Wheel Drive. By putting motors on both axles, Kia has transformed the way these cars handle. They’ve gone from being safe and steady to feeling incredibly responsive and “point and shoot” on the road.
Rear view of the Kia V3 GT crossover highlighting its sharp LED tail-lamps and GT design cues.
Kia is using a “one-size-fits-both” approach for the motors in the EV3 and EV4 GT. Both cars get a 215 kW (288 hp) system that provides a healthy 80 hp increase over the regular versions. The EV4 GT is the “sprinter” thanks to its hatchback and fastback designs being more aerodynamic, allowing for a 5.6-second 0–100 km/h time. The EV3 GT is just a hair slower at 5.7 seconds, but the extra power is equally noticeable in both.
The EV5 GT doesn’t exactly follow the same script as its smaller siblings. Since it’s a bigger, C-segment SUV, Kia knew it needed a little extra “get up and go” to feel like a real GT. To keep the “GT” soul alive in a bigger body, the EV5 GT uses a specific 155 kW front motor. Total output hits 225 kW, giving you 302 horsepower to play with. Triple digits arrive in 6.2 seconds. It turns a standard family SUV into something you actually want to drive.
The Kia EV4 GT features a driver-focused interior with dual displays and GT-inspired accents.
Engineering the “Soul” Back into the Drive
One of the biggest hurdles for electric performance is that it can feel a bit clinical. It’s fast, but it’s often silent and lacks theater. This time around, as Kia Unveils the EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT Versions, they’ve borrowed some of the best tricks from the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N to make things more interesting.
The standout feature is the Virtual Gear Shift (VGS). Now, let’s be honest—it’s entirely fake. There are no actual gears in these cars. However, the software simulates the physical “jolt” and torque interruption of a dual-clutch transmission. It gives you a tactile sensation of shifting, which, when paired with the Active Sound Design, makes the car feel much more “alive” on a winding road. It’s a bit of digital wizardry that tricks your brain into thinking you’re driving something with a real mechanical pulse.
Then there is the suspension. These aren’t just the standard springs. Each GT model gets bespoke chassis tuning and electronically controlled dampers. The EV5 GT even features a “Road Preview” system that uses its front cameras to scan the asphalt for bumps and prepares the suspension to soak them up before you even hit them. It’s a level of tech-heavy handling that shows Kia isn’t just playing around with aesthetics.
The Kia EV4 GT features aggressive styling, GT badging, and performance-focused design cues.
Design: Neon Green and Aggressive Stance
You’ll know these cars by their signature accents. The “Neon Green” theme—a staple of the Kia GT brand—is everywhere. Neon green highlights on the brakes and seat stitching lead your eye straight to the GT button on the wheel. The interior layout stays clean, but the energy is totally different. That three-spoke wheel and the reinforced seats move the cabin away from a “living room” style and straight into cockpit territory. Even with the sporty makeover, you still get that massive wrap-around screen and the clever AI assistant that first showed up in the standard EV3.
The cars still use the same 81.4 kWh battery found in the Long Range models. Even though the heavier 20-inch wheels and second motor will definitely trim some miles off the total range, Kia is betting that drivers will prefer the extra “grin factor” anyway. Plus, they’ve added 22kW AC charging support. This means if you have the right setup at home or work, you can top it off in less than four hours—a huge win for people who actually drive their cars every day.
The Kia EV5 GT combines muscular SUV proportions with GT-specific design elements.
Production and Global Outlook
Expect to see these rolling off the lines by mid-2026. Although the European crowd in Brussels got the first glimpse, these are global ‘hero’ cars designed to carry the brand’s performance reputation everywhere. In Australia and India, where Kia has been aggressively filing trademarks for their EV lineup, these GT versions will likely act as the aspirational models that bring people into the showrooms.
Ultimately, the fact that Kia Unveils the EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT Versions all at once proves that the company believes performance doesn’t have to be a six-figure luxury. They are taking the fight to the likes of the Tesla Model 3 Performance and the VW GTX range, but with a more playful, characterful approach.
In an era where every EV can feel the same, these GTs are a breath of fresh air. They are stiff, they are surprisingly loud (even if it’s artificial), and they are designed to make you actually enjoy the drive. 2026 is looking like a very good year for the “green” enthusiast.
FAQs – Kia Unveils the EV3, EV4 and EV5 GT Versions
1: What are the main performance upgrades for these new Kia GTs?
Forget the standard front-drive layout; these GTs are all about that dual-motor AWD grip. Kia also messed with the chassis and added adaptive dampers, which really helps the car feel much more “point-and-shoot” compared to the base trims.
2: How much power do the EV3 GT and EV4 GT actually have?
Under the floor, both models use 215 kW of dual-motor power (about 288 hp). Compared to the standard cars, you’re looking at an 80 hp boost, so they definitely aren’t lacking for punch when you launch them.
3: Which model is the quickest in a 0-100 km/h sprint?
Aerodynamics give the EV4 GT the edge here, allowing for a 5.6-second 0–100 km/h run. The EV3 GT is nearly a match, though, losing out by only a tiny margin at 5.7 seconds.
4: Why does the EV5 GT have a different motor setup?
To stay competitive, the heavier EV5 GT uses a 155 kW motor up front for a total system output of 225 kW. That 302 hp ensures that even as the biggest car in the lineup, it still packs a serious punch.
5: What exactly is the Virtual Gear Shift (VGS)?
The “Old School” Vibe Kia added VGS to give drivers back the tactile feedback we lost with electric motors. It’s all simulated, but the way it pauses the torque during “shifts” gives you that satisfying, old-school mechanical rhythm when you’re pushing the car hard.
6: Does the EV5 GT have any special suspension tech?
It uses “Road Preview” to keep things smooth. It detects dips and bumps and tells the dampers exactly how to react so you stay comfortable.
7: How do you spot these GT versions from the outside?
Look for the “Neon Green” accents. It’s on the brake calipers and the seat stitching, and there is a bright green dedicated GT button right on the steering wheel.
8: Will the extra power kill the battery life?
They still use the 81.4 kWh “Long Range” battery, but the big wheels and extra motor will definitely lower the range a bit. Kia is betting that the extra speed is a fair trade for the lost miles.
9: How fast can these cars charge at home?
Kia has also thrown in 22kW AC charging. If you’ve got a beefy enough charger at your house or the office, you can basically top it up from zero to 100% in under four hours.
10: When can I actually buy one?
Production starts in Q2 2026. Brussels was just the starting line; these are global ‘hero’ cars that Kia plans to sell in major markets worldwide to shake up the affordable EV space.
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