Kia EV3 Review

Kia EV3 exterior

In October 2023, Kia revealed three new small to medium-sized electric models at the brand’s first-ever Kia EV Day in Korea, showcasing their vision of “EVs for all” and reinforcing their commitment to driving the “EV revolution” forward.

Fast forward a year, and we now have the latest addition to Kia’s all-electric line-up—the Kia EV3.

As the name suggests, the EV3 is the smaller sibling to the EV9 and EV6. Stepping into the shoes of the discontinued Soul EV, the EV3 boasts an attractive price list, long-range capabilities, and a smooth driving experience, making it a strong contender in the small electric SUV segment.

Kia EV3 headlight close up
Kia EV3 rear
Kia EV3 GT Line alloy

Design and Style

At first glance, the EV3 appears to be a shrunken down version of the EV9, which is one of the most recognisable and visually interesting cars on sale today. The EV3 is built on a modified version of the E-GMP platform, which is also used by the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, and delivers an impressive driving experience. Measuring in at 4300mm long, 1850mm wide, and 1560mm tall, the Kia EV3 is very close in size to the Kia Niro EV. With it only being fractionally larger than a Volkswagen Golf, the EV3 is Kia’s most compact electric car yet, rivalling that of the Volvo EX30 and the Renault Megane E-Tech.

Kia’s ‘Joy for Reason’ and “Opposites United” design influences are reflected by the juxtaposition of the EV3’s robust body and dynamic silhouette. At the front, the EV3's cutting-edge LED headlights showcase a modern interpretation of Kia's Tiger Face design, featuring ultra-slim vertical DRLs for a striking and futuristic look. The sleek roofline transitions into a hatchback-style tailgate, giving the EV3 a clean cut, boxy silhouette without looking brash or bulky.

Kia EV3 driving

Interior

Where some brands may make the interiors of their cars feel cheaper as they go down the range, Kia hasn’t done that at all with the EV3. Even with the smaller price tag, the EV3’s interior is extremely similar to that of its bigger brother, the EV9. The Kia EV3’s cabin is spacious and uncluttered, and features customisable lighting that adds to the calming ambiance of the interior. The EV3 also shares the same floating 30” widescreen display, which comprises of a digital driver’s display, climate control screen, and a touchscreen infotainment system. The high definition touchscreen is extremely responsive and includes plenty of features such as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.  

The Kia EV3 doesn’t lean towards either the ultra futuristic or basic interiors we sometimes see in electric cars today. The EV3’s minimal design is thoughtful and purposeful, and Kia has managed to keep a lot of the physical buttons, like the seat controls and dials for fan speed and temperature, without making it look outdated. Kia has also utilised recycled materials throughout the interior, and there is even a little QR code on the dash on the passenger side that you can scan which showcases the intuitive ways Kia have used these sustainable materials in the EV3.

Kia EV3 steering wheel and dash
Kia EV3 interior climate control
Kia EV3 boot

Comfort and Practicality

The Kia EV3 excels in comfort and practicality, offering ergonomic seating and cleverly designed storage solutions. The rear seats provide ample legroom for adult passengers, ensuring a comfortable ride. However, the front comfort seats do slightly encroach on rear legroom and very tall individuals might struggle with a slight lack in headroom. One handy feature is the sliding table, which is perfect for use while waiting those thirty minutes for the car to charge. Whether you want to enjoy your lunch, catch up on emails, or simply relax, this addition makes the EV3 even more practical for life on the go.

With 460 litres of boot space, the EV3 stands out among competitors in its segment, offering impressive capacity for a compact vehicle. The EV3 also has a height-adjustable boot floor that adds versatility, making the most of the available storage without sacrificing overall space. Up front, there's an additional 25 litre storage compartment under the bonnet, which is perfect for keeping the charging cable neatly stowed away.

Kia EV3 sliding table

Performance and Battery Options

EVs had a phase where they were given lots of power and were more focused on reaching 0-60 mph in the quickest time possible. With the EV3 Air, it's quick enough but doesn’t feel overpowered with a single motor which powers the front wheels with 201bhp and 201 lb ft of torque, which is all you need for an electric crossover family car.

In the long-range 81.4kWh Air trim, the drive is quietly excellent and the range is spectacular. The drive is seamless and the steering is nicely weighted, making this car an excellent companion for going around town. Even if you are doing high speeds on motorways with the air conditioning on full blast, you can still get excellent range. If you’re mindful of how you drive, you can expect to do a range north of 350 miles, which in the past was only ever achieved by higher end brands such as Tesla and BMW. If you don’t need 300 miles of range, then the cheaper, 58.3kWh version can still achieve over 200 miles. Charging also won’t slow you down, with speedy, seamless charging of 10-80 percent in around 30 minutes.

Not only does the EV3 show its predicted range, but it also shows the potential maximum and minimum range. This is especially handy if you have been driving around town but are then going to be joining the motorway and driving at high speeds, as it eliminates the guessing games and range anxiety that can come with driving EVs. However, Kia is known for their accuracy when it comes to predicted range so you would probably just be focusing on that number anyways.

Kia EV3 exterior
Kia EV3 exterior
Kia EV3 exterior side view

Trim Levels

The Kia EV3 range offers three distinct trim levels, each with its own set of features. The Air is the entry-level option, equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, twin 12.3-inch displays for driver information and infotainment, heated front seats and steering wheel, all-round parking sensors, and Highway Driving Assist for semi-autonomous motorway driving. Two powertrains are available with the Air trim: a 148kW motor paired with either a 58.3kWh battery or a longer range 81.4kWh battery.

Moving up to the GT-Line, this trim comes with the larger 81.4kWh battery as standard, along with 19-inch alloy wheels and the GT-Line styling package. Additional features include lumbar support for the driver, faux-leather seats, a wireless phone charger, and upgraded LED headlights.

At the top of the range is the GT-Line S, which adds a head-up display, a 360-degree parking camera, power tailgate, ventilated front seats, and a premium Harman Kardon sound system. It's also the only trim that offers a heat pump for improved winter efficiency, and like the GT-Line, it comes exclusively with the 148kW 81.4kWh battery.

Kia EV3 driving

Reliability and Safety

The EV3 is equipped with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems to enhance safety and convenience. These systems include Highway Driving Assist, Lane Following Assist, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist, and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with pedestrian warning. Notably, the cruise control is flawless. Kia has perfected radar guided cruise control in terms of maintaining distance and reacting to other drivers around you. If someone cuts you off or gets a little close, the EV3 acts how any calm driver would do and smoothly opens the gap.

The onboard cameras are also second to none, with clear, high resolution cameras, Kia has provided a solution to the common visibility issues that often arise when driving crossovers and SUVs, so there’s no need to worry about navigating the tight bends of a multi-story car park in the EV3.

Since the EV3 is a recent addition to the market, it has yet to undergo testing by Euro NCAP. However, given its extensive array of active and passive safety features, we expect it to achieve an impressive rating when tested.

Price​

The Kia EV3 pricing starts at £32,995 for the entry-level Air trim with the smaller 58.3kWh battery, while opting for the larger 81.4kWh battery increases the price to £35,995. The range-topping GT-Line S model, equipped with the 81.4kWh long-range battery, begins at £42,995. These base prices undercut competitors like the Volvo EX30 and Renault Megane E-Tech, and the base Air trim is generously equipped, offering strong value for money across the range.

Summary

The Kia EV3 delivers exceptional value in the small electric SUV market, combining an affordable price with impressive features, range, and comfort. Despite being cheaper than many of its rivals, like the Volvo EX30 and Renault Megane E-Tech, it doesn't compromise on quality or range. With a variety of trims to choose from, all generously equipped, and long-range capabilities that can exceed 350 miles, the EV3 stands out as one of the best value-for-money electric vehicles in its class. Offering a smooth ride, a spacious interior, and cutting-edge tech, the EV3 is a solid choice for those looking to make the switch to electric.

Contact John Clark Kia Peterhead today for more information. Our team will happily answer your questions, show you around the Kia EV3, and accompany you on a test drive.

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Kia EV3 Charging