The Kia EV3 has won the What Car? Small Electric SUV of the Year award for 2026, and with orders now open and deliveries running, it is one of the most searched electric cars in the UK right now. Here is what you need to know.
What Is the EV3?
The EV3 is Kia’s most affordable electric car — a compact five-seat SUV sitting below the EV6 in the range. It is built in Slovakia, which means it qualifies for the government’s £1,500 Band 2 Electric Car Grant, bringing the effective starting price down to £31,495 for the entry-level Air trim.
Kia is currently also running a £2,000 deposit contribution on Air and GT-Line models, and £3,000 on the GT-Line S — stacking on top of the grant for buyers on PCP through Kia Finance between now and 30 September 2026.
Batteries and Range
Two battery options are available:
58.3kWh (Air only): Up to 267 miles WLTP. From £32,995 before grant and contributions. Suits buyers with shorter daily mileages and regular home charging.
81.4kWh (Air, GT-Line, GT-Line S): Up to 372 miles WLTP on the Air; up to 347 miles on GT-Line and GT-Line S due to larger wheels. This is the version to prioritise if you regularly drive longer distances or want genuine motorway confidence.
Both versions use a 201bhp front-wheel drive motor and support DC rapid charging at up to 135kW — meaning 10–80% in approximately 30 minutes at a compatible rapid charger.
Trim Levels and Pricing (After £1,500 Grant)
| Trim | Battery | Price after grant |
|---|---|---|
| Air | 58.3kWh | From £31,495 |
| Air | 81.4kWh | From £34,495 |
| GT-Line | 81.4kWh | From £37,995 |
| GT-Line S | 81.4kWh | From £41,495 |
What You Get as Standard
Even the entry Air is generously equipped — 17-inch alloys, dual 12.3-inch screens, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated front seats and steering wheel, full LED lighting, forward collision avoidance, lane keeping assist, and Kia’s Highway Driving Assist 2.0.
GT-Line adds 19-inch alloys, a heated steering wheel, synthetic leather upholstery, and a 64-colour ambient lighting system. GT-Line S adds a head-up display, ventilated front seats, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a powered tailgate.
Practicality
The EV3 measures 4,310mm in length — compact enough to manoeuvre easily in cities, but with a boot of 460 litres (standard range) or 422 litres (long range) that is competitive for its class. A frunk (front storage compartment) of around 25 litres is available on GT-Line and above.
The Warranty
Every EV3 comes with Kia’s seven-year or 100,000-mile warranty, including the high-voltage battery. This remains the longest manufacturer warranty offered by any mainstream brand in the UK.
Who Is It For?
The EV3 is particularly well-suited to first-time EV buyers who want a longer range car with strong standard equipment and the reassurance of a long warranty — at a price that undercuts the Volkswagen ID.3, BMW iX1 and Volvo EX30 at equivalent specifications. With current grant and deposit contributions stacking to up to £4,500 off on some trims, the timing for buying one right now is as good as it is likely to get in 2026.
