All-New KIA EV3 Goes The Distance.
All-New Kia EV3 Goes The Distance.
In 2006 Kia identified design as its “core future growth engine” – leading to the immediate hiring of Peter Schreyer as Chief Design Officer, a position he still holds today. Schreyer had previously worked at Audi (designing the iconic Audi TT during his tenure) and Volkswagen, so the experience and talent he brought with him to Kia was exactly what the South Korean automobile manufacturer needed at the time. Schreyer has since been central to a complete restyling of Kia’s line-up, overseeing design activities at Kia’s design centres in Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Tokyo and in South Korea.
Electric Mobility.
While the Kia Niro EV (e-Niro) and Soul EV (e-Soul) did signal Kia’s intention to showcase their electric mobility expertise in the last decade, it was really only in late 2021 when Kia launched the glorious EV6 that the car-buying public did sit up and take notice. The EV6 was followed by the mighty EV9 seven-seat SUV in late 2023, and now the EV3 B-segment crossover/SUV has become the third model in Kia’s electric car line-up. The EV3’s chassis is derived from the front-wheel-drive Hyundai-Kia K3 platform, but the body structure has been redesigned for battery electric vehicles, and Kia markets it as the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) 400 V architecture. The EV3 shares some design elements with the larger EV9, and it adopts the brand’s “Opposites United” design philosophy with a “Digital Tiger Face” front fascia and “Star Map” signature vertical lighting at the front and rear of the car.
Two Battery & Three Trim Options.
The EV3 comes with two battery choices. The Standard Range option has a 55kWh usable capacity and an official range of 436kms. The Long Range battery has a usable capacity of 78kWh, allowing up to 605kms between top-ups. The smaller battery is only available in entry-level Earth 2 trim grade, but the larger power unit is available across Earth 2, Earth 3 and GT-line trim grades. An outstanding array of comfort, convenience, safety, infotainment and driver assist systems come as standard across all trim grades, with an ascending tally of additional features making their way into mid-spec and top-spec models for an enhanced ownership experience. Recharging the battery in the EV3 is very straightforward, with the charging port located on the driver’s side front wing. With a maximum charging rate of 135kW, the Standard Range unit can be charged from 10-100% via a domestic wallbox charger in approximately 5hrs 20mins, and from just 29 minutes (10-80%) via a 350kW fast charger. A similar charge for the Long Range battery will take around 7hrs 15mins and 31 minutes respectively.
Bright, Spacious & High-Tech Cabin.
Step inside the spacious cabin of the EV3 and it is clear to see that a lot of thought has been put into the look and feel of every one of the surfaces, with high quality materials used in all of the important areas. Thanks to the deep windows and large windscreen, all passengers can enjoy terrific visibility, and this is helped by a suite of parking sensors and cameras that help to guide the driver safely into or out of a parking space. The dashboard features three displays: a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 5-inch touchscreen for the heating and ventilation controls, and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Thankfully, there is a set of shortcut buttons below the centre screen, making it easier to adjust the heating and ventilation settings, while accessing the mapping for the navigation or the media system is a simple task, thanks to a single press of the interface. The divider between the two front seats is a two-tier system that consists of an elbow rest and a slightly lower sliding table that incorporates controls for the auto-hold function, downhill assist, parking sensors, and camera system. Other interior features are a 12-inch head-up display (HUD), storage within the centre console, and a “fold-back relaxation mode” for the front seats. Storage around the cabin is excellent, with useful cubbies throughout the centre of the car, with a compact glovebox, decent door pockets and a pair of practical cup holders.
Practical Boot & Frunk Storage.
Space in the front of the EV3 is generous, with ample headroom and legroom for the driver and front seat passenger. Similarly, rear seat occupants enjoy plenty of head and legroom. The faux two-tone leather seats are comfortable and deliver lots of support when cornering, and the mesh front headrests that are standard in GT-line trim are extremely comfortable. Boot space measures in at a generous 460 litres when the rear seats are in their upright position, with up to 1250 litres available when the rear seats are folded to provide a flat floor. The boot also features a two-tier floor with over 140mm of flexibility, and there is a 25 litre storage compartment (known as a ‘frunk’) under the bonnet that is ideal for keeping the charging cables out of harm’s way.
Test Car Details.
My test car was a Kia EV3 Long Range GT-line, which was finished in Aventurine Green metallic paintwork (Kia’s launch colour for the new EV3) and standard-fit 19-inch alloy wheels that fill-out the squared-off wheel arches perfectly. The electric motor produces 204PS and 283Nm of torque, and the car can complete a 0-100km/h sprint in as little as 7.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 170km/h (where permitted). The EV3 feels satisfyingly punchy from the off, so overtaking a slower road user, or getting up to motorway speed is child’s play. The car handles in a tidy, predictable manner, and its steering is naturally weighted and accurate, providing excellent feedback to the driver. The relatively soft suspension does provide the car with an air of serenity on smooth road surfaces, providing a plush ride quality around town and supreme composure on the motorway. The EV3’s brakes are smooth and progressive, and the car can come to a complete stop without having to press the brake pedal, and this selectable one-pedal regenerative braking function is especially useful around town. The driver’s seat is positioned high enough to remind you that you are in an SUV and not a jacked-up hatchback, and the electric adjustment that comes with it does mean that finding the perfect position is very much straightforward. The gear selector is conveniently located to the right-hand side of the steering wheel, and the stalk not only houses the Drive, Neutral, Reverse and Park functions, but it is also the location for the Start/Stop button. This is a really useful feature, and it takes no time at all to get used to. With its relatively tall side windows, deep windscreen and low waistline, the EV3 driver benefits from terrific visibility at junctions, and the likes. The EV3 stands out for its light and airy cabin, thanks to its brightly coloured upholstery and trim, low dashboard and minimalist, floor-mounted centre console.
Verdict & Price.
The EV3 is a compelling addition to the electric compact SUV class, with mini EV9 looks that are visually appealing, along with a tech-laden cabin and a comprehensive array of standard equipment. There genuinely is so much to like about the new Kia EV3. Pricing starts from €36,790. The price of the car I tested is €47,190 (inclusive of VRT Relief and SEAI Grant, but excluding dealer delivery-related charges).
Visit www.kia.com for further information.
