What is it?

The Kia EV3 is the latest addition to Kia’s electric vehicle lineup, replacing the outgoing Soul EV. Positioned as the smallest electric SUV in Kia’s range, it sits below models like the Niro EV, EV6, and the seven-seat EV9. Despite its compact size, the EV3 offers a host of features aimed at balancing affordability, comfort, and practicality.

Design and Styling

The Kia EV3 showcases a contemporary design that merges practicality with bold styling, reflecting its position as a modern electric SUV. Drawing clear inspiration from its larger sibling, the EV9, the EV3 adopts many of the design cues that have come to define Kia’s recent lineup. This includes sharp lines, angular accents, and a cohesive front fascia that integrates seamlessly with its LED lighting elements.

 Aerodynamics play a crucial role in electric vehicles, and Kia has taken measures to ensure the EV3 performs well in this regard. Its sloping roofline gently transitions into the rear, reducing drag without compromising rear headroom. The flush door handles and smooth side mirrors further enhance the vehicle’s aerodynamic profile, contributing to its efficiency and range.

Kia has also prioritized practicality in the EV3’s design. The large windows and slim A-pillars ensure excellent visibility from the driver’s seat, a critical feature for navigating city streets. While the rear window is on the smaller side, standard blind-spot monitoring and a reversing camera mitigate this potential drawback.

Interior and Technology

The Kia EV3’s interior strikes a balance between modern styling, functionality, and comfort, making it a strong contender in the small electric SUV market. Drawing inspiration from its larger sibling, the EV9, the EV3 offers a thoughtful layout with an emphasis on technology and space efficiency. Its cabin is designed to cater to both everyday commuters and tech-savvy drivers, while ensuring comfort for longer journeys.

Dashboard and Layout

The EV3’s dashboard is dominated by dual 12.3-inch screens: one serving as a fully digital instrument cluster and the other as the infotainment touchscreen. These screens are seamlessly integrated, giving the cabin a clean and futuristic appearance. The instrument cluster is highly customizable, providing clear, intuitive displays for essential driving information, battery status, and navigation prompts.

Beneath the main screens is a smaller 5.3-inch touch-sensitive climate control panel. While it looks sleek, the positioning behind the steering wheel can obstruct visibility, a drawback shared with the EV9. To compensate, Kia has added physical rocker switches lower down for easy adjustment of temperature and fan speed, ensuring usability without detracting from the minimalist design.

Materials and Build Quality

Despite its entry-level positioning, the EV3’s interior materials are well-considered. A mix of soft-touch surfaces, fabric accents, and recycled materials contributes to a premium feel, particularly in higher trims like the GT-Line. Even the harder plastics used in certain areas are sturdy and well-finished, avoiding the cheapness often found in budget-friendly EVs.

GT-Line trims add a touch of luxury with fabric inserts on the dashboard and doors, while ambient lighting enhances the cabin’s atmosphere during nighttime drives. Kia has ensured that, compared to similarly priced electric SUVs, the EV3 stands out with its thoughtful design and material choices.

Powertrain and Electric Range

The Kia EV3 is equipped with a single, front-mounted electric motor producing 201 bhp and 209 lb-ft of torque. This setup is consistent across all trims and battery options, simplifying the choice for buyers. The front-wheel-drive layout is a departure from Kia’s previous e-GMP platform models, which often featured rear- or all-wheel-drive configurations.

Performance figures are modest but sufficient for most drivers. The EV3 accelerates from 0-62 mph in approximately 7.5 seconds, making it quicker than many combustion-engine SUVs of a similar size. While not designed as a sporty EV, it offers enough punch for overtaking on motorways and handling city traffic.

Its top speed is limited to 106 mph, which is standard for this class of vehicle. Though it’s unlikely to thrill performance enthusiasts, the EV3 provides more than adequate acceleration and responsiveness for everyday driving scenarios.

Battery Options and Range

The EV3 offers two battery configurations, catering to different driving needs:

  • Standard Range (55 kWh): Provides an official range of up to 270 miles on a single charge. This version is available only on the entry-level Air trim.
  • Long Range (78 kWh): Extends the range to 375 miles in its most efficient Air configuration. This version is available across all trims and is expected to be the choice for most buyers.

In real-world conditions, the Long Range battery delivers between 250 and 320 miles depending on factors such as weather, driving style, and terrain. These figures are competitive, positioning the EV3 as a strong option against rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric and the Tesla Model Y.

Charging Capabilities

Kia has equipped the EV3 with a 400V architecture, which is a step down from the 800V systems found in the EV6 and EV9. This change helps reduce costs, but it also means that maximum charging speeds are relatively modest:

  • Standard Range: Charges at up to 102 kW, achieving a 10-80% charge in about 30 minutes.
  • Long Range: Charges at up to 128 kW, with a similar 10-80% time frame.

Practicality

Despite being Kia’s smallest electric SUV, the EV3 offers remarkable space and practicality thanks to its dedicated EV platform. Its flat floor enhances interior room, providing generous space for passengers and cargo alike.

Passenger Comfort
The EV3’s cabin feels spacious, with ample headroom and legroom for front and rear occupants. Rear passengers benefit from a flat floor, accommodating two adults comfortably. The elevated seating position and large windows enhance visibility and the sense of openness.

Boot Space
The boot offers 460 litres of capacity, competitive for its class. A height-adjustable floor comes standard, aiding flexibility when loading items. While lacking advanced organisation features like storage nets, the boot expands significantly with rear seats folded flat, handling bulkier items with ease.

Practical Dimensions
The EV3’s compact size makes it ideal for urban environments, with features like a reversing camera and optional 360-degree camera system assisting in tight spaces. Its thoughtful design maximises interior space despite its smaller footprint

Verdict

The Kia EV3 is a capable small electric SUV with a competitive range, comfortable ride, and appealing interior. While it doesn’t lead the pack in agility or rear-seat versatility, its combination of features makes it a strong contender in its segment. Buyers prioritizing range, comfort, and practicality will find much to like in the EV3.