Kia has quickly risen to become one of the most trusted brands in the world of electric vehicles and the EV3 is an example of why that is. With a decent amount of range, a speedy charge time and good levels of standard equipment, the EV3 is the kind of car that could quite easily take up where a traditional family petrol or diesel car left off. Add in Kia’s excellent reliability reputation and you have a very appealing package.
The Kia EV3 really shows how far electric cars have come. It’s easy and intuitive to drive, while its electric range is more than enough for most journeys. Plus, you’ve got a practical and spacious interior, so it really does tick all of the boxes.
Jack is an experienced motoring journalist who has been covering the latest new-car releases for the last 10 years.
Read bioPrices for the Kia EV3 currently start at £33,005 for an entry-level ‘Air’ model with the smaller 58.3kWh battery. Keep within the Air trim level, but opt for the larger 81.4kWh battery and that price will rise to £36,005. At the other end of the scale, you could go for high-spec GT-Line S trim and, with the larger battery, this brings the EV3’s price up to £43,905. Though the Kia EV3 remains a relatively new model, it has started to filter into the used market. In fact, you can find that range-topping GT-Line S-specification car for £36,489 with just 11 miles on the clock via AA Cars, representing a huge saving off the brand-new model.
All versions of the Kia EV3 use the same front-mounted 201bhp electric motor, regardless of which version you go for. The difference comes in the batteries. Only available on entry-level Air trim cars is the smaller 58.3kWh Standard Range model, which brings a range of up to 270 miles. However, we expect most people to lean towards the larger battery model with its 81.4kWh unit which unlocks a range of up to 375 miles. Annoyingly, nearly all models do without an efficiency-boosting heat pump as standard - it needs to be added as an optional extra - so look to see if this has been equipped if you’re shopping used. In terms of charging, the EV3 can accept a charge speed of up to 350kW - one of the quickest of any car on sale - and this would mean a 10 to 80 per cent charge in 31 minutes for big-battery models.
The EV3 is a car which most people can get up to speed with easily. There’s plenty of adjustability on offer and though this is an SUV, it’s more on the compact end of things, so it’s still easy to park. Rearward visibility isn’t the best but in all other areas, the EV3 does just fine, while the steering is nice and light, so positioning the car at slower speeds is a breeze. It might not feel as out-and-out quick as some of its rivals, but the EV3’s performance means that it’s more like a ‘standard’ family car. That said, it never feels underpowered and gets you up to speed in good enough time. All of the control weights feel well-judged, with the throttle and brakes both being well calibrated so it’s easy to make nice, smooth progress.
If you’re after comfort, then you’ve come to the right place with the Kia EV3. All models offer a very impressive level of ride quality - even those on larger wheels - and this means it does a great job of taking the worst of the bumps away when you’re going down the road. Entry-level Air models on their small alloys feel the most comfortable, but even those further up the specification range do well in this area. The steering isn’t the most direct or sporty, but then the EV3 isn’t designed as a performance car. It all feels predictable and easy, while well-controlled body roll means that the EV3 never feels out of shape, even through quicker bends. Interior and features
There are lots of plus points within the cabin of the EV3. As we’ve come to expect from Kia models, there’s an intuitive design to the interior with well-placed controls here and there. It just seems an odd choice to place some of the ventilation controls and readouts to the left-hand side of the steering wheel, as, once you’re in position, your hand blocks them out. However, you get a nice, long central armrest which is useful on longer trips, while the material quality in general is pretty good. Entry-level Air cars do suffer from some scratchier plastics here and there, but they’re mainly in areas that you’d want more rugged materials to be placed, such as lower down the doors.
Practicality is something that the EV3 covers well. You’ve got a 460-litre boot to use up and the access to it is simple thanks to a low load lip and a nice square opening. You can also fold down the rear seats to expand that area further, too, and those seats go nice and flat to give you a smooth load area to use. Throughout the EV3’s interior you’ve got loads of handy storage options, too. There’s a large centre console section to make use of and the door bins are deep and roomy, too. It’s a similar story in the back as well, where there are handy seatback pockets and good storage areas in the doors which can easily accommodate a water bottle. In all, you shouldn’t have too many storage issues inside the EV3. It’s all brought together with a nice solid build quality, too, which makes the whole car feel very made-to-last.
As with all Kia models, the EV3 comes with a lot of features included to keep even the most avid button-pressers happy. As standard, there’s the large 12.3-inch inftotainment system and 12.3-inch driver display, with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto coming equipped on all models. You even get heated front seats and a heated steering wheel on all models, alongside front and rear parking sensors and a rear parking camera. At the other end of the scale, range-topping GT-Line S cars have front and rear heated seats and a useful 360-degree surround-view monitor which can help to make parking the EV3 even easier. A head-up display is a useful addition and gives you key information such as speed and range right ahead of you. For audiophiles, the Harmon Kardon premium sound system that you get on GT-Line S cars will be a big plus-point, while the full sunroof adds some extra light to the cabin.
Kia likes to keep things simple with its trim levels and that’s clear to see with the EV3. Things kick off with entry-level Air, which brings a broad range of standard features including the 12.3-inch driver and infotainment display, as well as 17-inch wheels which, though small, do help the EV3 to deliver the best-possible ride quality. Mid-spec GT-Line is a popular option, bringing 19-inch alloy wheels and a sportier design overall courtesy of a full styling pack. You also get LED headlights at this grade, alongside a wireless smartphone charger and artificial leather seats.
A Digital Key feature allows you to use your smartphone to access and start the vehicle, too. This grade also helps to keep the EV3 under that £40,000 bracket when shopping new, too. At the top sits GT-Line S. Here, you’re getting high-end features such as memory seats and a smart power tailgate, alongside a sunroof and a head-up display. The front seats are ventilated, too, which can help to make things a lot more comfortable in the summertime. Colour-wise, there’s not a whole lot of choice, with just five shades to pick from.
All versions of the EV3 get an impressive amount of safety equipment as standard. For instance, there’s blind spot collision assistance, lane keep assist and a standard speed limiter, as well as rear-cross traffic collision avoidance assist and a safe exit warning system, which will alert occupants to oncoming road users in their blind spot as they’re getting out of the car. Kia models have a really solid reputation for reliability and that should be just the same for the EV3. It’s reflected in Kia’s comprehensive warranty which, at seven years or 100,000 miles, is one of the best in the business. Plus, as an electric vehicle, there are fewer moving parts on the EV3 compared with a petrol or diesel car, so there should be a lot less to maintain as a result.
As an electric vehicle, the EV3 should prove inexpensive to run providing you’ve got a home charging setup. Of course, public charging varies in price, but if you’re able to access cheap rates of home electricity then running the EV3 shouldn’t cost the earth. As a zero-emission vehicle, it gets the standard £195 yearly road tax rate, though version costing over £40,00 will incur the additional Luxury Car Tax, which will add £425 extra a year for the first five years after registration. Emissions-wise, the EV3 doesn’t produce any CO2, making it a great option for those looking to cut back on their localised emissions.
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