The new Kia EV3 has been making some major waves. Women’s World Car of the Year, Red Dot “Best of the Best” Award winner and even the immensely coveted “World Car of the Year” for 2025. Such adoration from the specialist press is a good indication that Kia’s newest and smallest of its all-electric EV SUV line should provide plenty to “write home about.” See what I did there? After five days in its company, here is what’s what with the new Kia EV3.
Following in wake of the flagship EV9 and mid-sized EV5, the new EV3, in the looks department to begin with, has very much taken the same concept and design seen in the other two, and made it that much more petite, but no less striking and forward thinking. I love it when a new car enters production and looks as if it never left the concept stage and I get these vibes with the EV3.
Kia calls this design language “Opposites United.” This means a pair of minimalist LED headlights, flush door handles, a unique LED rear light cluster resembling something out of TRON, black detailing and a set of 17-inch alloys which wouldn’t look out of place on a shuttlecraft exiting the USS Enterprise. If shuttlecraft had wheels that is. Sci Fi references aside, I think the EV3 looks great. It is a slipper customer too, with a drag coefficient of 0.26, which will allow the driver to squeeze out some extra electric driving range.
The EV3 is a three-tier model family affair. You have the Light Standard Range at $55,520, the Light Long Range at $62,220 (my test car), the mid-range Earth at $69,990 and the flagship GT-Line at $75,990. All models, bar the Light Standard Range, get the same 81.4kWh battery pack which sends 150kW and 283Nm of torque to the front wheels.
Kia claims up to 605kms of electric range for the Light Long Range and around 563km for the Earth and GT-Line. However, when jumped into my Light Long Range, the instrument cluster said I had an electric range of 529 kilometres. Then again, according to the display, if I drove with an almost obsessive frugality, that means no air-con, heater, in ECO mode and maximum use of the regenerative braking, you could likely squeeze 712kms out of the EV3.
Then again, if you drive without any consideration for frugality, expect the range to deplete to around the 300km mark. It’s just how you drive really. Only the Light Standard Range gets a slightly smaller battery pack at 58.3kWh and as a result, claimed range is less at 436km.
All EV3s are AC and DC fast charging compatible up to 128kW, meaning that if you plug into the fast 100kW charger, you will have between 10 to 80 per cent of “juice” back in around half an hour. Kia also claims a combined energy consumption of 14.9kWh/100km for the Light Long Range.
Inside there is much to trigger a case of Kia déjà vu when it comes to ergonomics and design. Minimalism is the name of the game here, while not completely removing your ability to operate things with physical or haptic controls and buttons. The floating armrest, a la EV5 and EV9 makes a welcome return and there is a decent amount of room to slob out and store things thanks to several hidey holes and decent sized door bins.
The steering wheel itself is also nice and the subtle squaring off top and bottom is a unique design cue for a car like this. The fabric seats are supportive and plush too.
All the tech is easy to use and to get your head around, though I do wish the 12.3” infotainment system was angled more towards the driver. Features like Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, a 12.3-inch colour instrument cluster, remote park assist, lane keep assist, 4x USB-C charging ports, a rear-view camera with guidelines and intelligent speed limit assist all come as standard.
That said, if you want things like blind spot monitoring, a surround view camera, heated steering wheel, heated power operated leather seats, wireless phone charging, head up display and ambient lighting, you will need to fork out a titch more for the Earth or GT-Line.
There is more space for rear passengers than you might think, and entry and exit is also a doddle thanks to the rear doors opening at a decent angle. Pop the boot and you have between 460L to 1,251L of boot space, depending on if you have the rear seat folded flat. There is also an additional 25L of space in the “frunk” which can be used for storing smaller items.
With over 20,000kms of local testing by Kia prior to launch under its belt, the EV3 does feel lithe and rather spirited when on the move. It feels very much a “point-and-shoot” kind of car and despite its near two-tonne kerb weight (1,930kg), can hang on in the corners while delivering a sumptuous and comfortable ride. A more exuberant driving experience can be achieved by flicking up to Sport, but I spent most of my time cycling between Normal and Eco mode. It’s not quick sure, but for what Kia calls an “urban SUV” it fares very well. Plus, around town it is never unwieldy.
Three levels of regenerative braking are on hand and the gulf between each is considerable. You can also leave it on “Auto” and let the car apply the necessary regen braking to reflect your driving habits at any given time. Either way, I found myself seldom touching the left pedal in certain situations.
Honestly, it was very difficult to rummage around and find things wrong with the EV3. Ok, I suppose some of the ergonomics, such as the toggle controls on the steering wheel which require an assertive and precise flick of your thumb, may annoy some, but this is no big deal.
The rest of the EV3 left me very impressed. Its hands down the best all-electric product from Kia I have driven, taking all the best bits from the EV9 and EV9 and brings it down into a more usable daily package, one which thanks to that considerable range, will double as an ideal tool for a spirited long-weekend getaway.
Kia have knocked it out of the park here, plain and simple.
RATING: 9/10
