This $11K EV3 Clone Arrived in China Before Kia Had the Chance to Release the Actual Model | Carscoops

      The Dongfeng Nano 06 presents an attractive option for Chinese consumers, priced at one-third of the Kia EV3’s cost in Europe.

      Published on May 28, 2025, at 15:09

      Written by Thanos Pappas

      Dongfeng’s Nano 06 is a new electric vehicle from China that draws design elements from another model.

      This compact SUV closely resembles the Kia EV3, but is available at a considerably lower cost.

      Notable features include a spacious interior with sofa-bed seating and a practical split tailgate.

      Just when it seemed that Chinese automakers had moved past their tendency to mimic, a new release shows that some habits are hard to break. The Dongfeng Nano 06 is a compact electric SUV with angular styling that appears strikingly similar to the Kia EV3, a small electric crossover set to launch in the US next year. While Kia is still considering whether to introduce the EV3 in China, Dongfeng has already taken the initiative.

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      The Nano 06 was unveiled in April and has recently become available for order in China. While it is not an exact replica of the Kia, the similarities are quite evident. The proportions, the shape of the greenhouse, the LED headlights, and even the plastic wheel arch trims all reflect the design of the EV3. Adding in the 17-inch alloy wheels that seem directly inspired by Kia’s designs makes it clear that this was not merely a coincidence.

      To avoid any potential legal issues, Dongfeng has incorporated a few unique features into the Nano 06. This includes different bumpers, contoured taillights, and a more conventional surface treatment along the sides. One genuinely original aspect is the split tailgate, with the lower half serving as a makeshift table or seat when parked.

      Inside, the Nano 06 offers a fairly spacious five-seat cabin that can convert into a sofa-bed beneath the panoramic sunroof. The trunk has a three-layer arrangement providing a total of 500 liters (17.7 cubic feet) of space, plus an additional 70 liters (2.5 cubic feet) in the frunk.

      The dashboard design will be recognizable to anyone familiar with modern Chinese electric vehicles. It features a 12.8-inch freestanding infotainment screen and an 8.8-inch digital cluster situated behind a robust two-spoke steering wheel.

      Dimensions That Compete

      The Nano 06 measures 4,306 mm (169.5 inches) in length and has a wheelbase of 2,715 mm (106.9 inches), making it 6 mm longer than the Kia EV3 and providing 35 mm more wheelbase. Despite its compact dimensions, the Nano is marketed as a family-friendly and adventure-ready vehicle, at least according to its lifestyle-oriented promotional images.

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      The Nano 06 is built on Dongfeng’s Quantum Architecture No. 3 platform. It is powered by a single electric motor that produces 181 hp (135 kW / 184 PS) and 290 Nm (214 lb-ft) of torque. Customers can choose from two battery sizes: 44.94 kWh and 51.87 kWh, offering an optimistic CLTC-rated range of 401 km (249 miles) and 471 km (293 miles), respectively. The Nano also supports fast charging, capable of adding 100 km (62 miles) of range in just 5 minutes with the right charger.

      Pricing Is the Real Plot Twist

      However, the most striking feature is its price. The Dongfeng Nano 06 is priced between ¥79,900 ($11,100) and ¥109,900 ($15,300) in China, making it more than three times cheaper than the Kia EV3, which starts at €35,990 ($40,700) in Germany.

      Of course, the two vehicles are not currently competing in the same market, and should Kia introduce the EV3 in China, historical pricing trends suggest it would likely be priced significantly lower. For context, the larger EV5 starts at ¥149,000 ($20,700) in China.

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      In China, the Dongfeng Nano 06 will compete with direct rivals such as the BYD Yuan Up, the Wuling Bingo Plus, and the Baojun Yep Plus small SUVs.