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Andy Harris
Motoring and Property Editor
@ytimesmotoring
1:00 AM 14th December 2024
cars

Kia EV3 – UK Launch Review

Kia has more experience than most car manufacturers when it comes to making EVs. The Soul first appeared ten years ago and was followed by the Niro EV, which is still on sale today. More recently, the EV6 burst on to the scene and this has been subject to a refresh, details of which were in my last column.

This time last year I was in Scotland for the launch of the family-friendly EV9 and as I write this, I have just returned from the UK Media Launch of its smaller, yet equally distinctive brother, the EV3. This is a far more significant car for the Korean brand and will have to do battle with established players such as the Volkswagen ID.3, Cupra Born and the fresh-faced Volvo EX30. EV3 must therefore appeal to a much wider audience.

Pricing is competitive which is a good start, with £32,995 buying an entry-level Air model with a 58.3kWh battery. Of more interest is a monthly PCP rate of £381 over 37 months with a 20% deposit. Official range is 270 miles in ideal conditions. Add £3,000 for a larger 81.4kWh battery and this shoots up to 375 miles.

The mid-spec GT-Line model is only available with the long-range battery and is priced at £39,495. Add another £3,500 for the top GT-Line S version. This can be had with a heat pump for a further £900, likely a good investment. As is so often the case, most buyers are expected to bypass the entry-level model.

I gather a dual-motor version will be available sometime next year, but unless outright speed is your need, I would suggest the current offerings will do the job rather well.

For those familiar with EV6 and EV9, the newcomer is an easy car to gel with. Push the start button, engage drive and the EV3 moves off briskly. If I’m honest, some of its rivals do feel rather more spirited, but a 0-62mph sprint time of around 7.5 seconds shows it is no sluggard.

Brake and accelerator pedals are nicely calibrated, the former meriting particular praise with consistent pedal feel making smooth stops a doddle. As expected, the regenerative braking system works well and is controlled by paddles on the steering wheel. Adjustment to suit all tastes and conditions.

A Bit About Kia In The UK
Records sales in Q1, Q2 and Q3 in 2024
100,936 cars sold to date (end October)
49% of cars sold are EV, HEV and PHEV
Sportage the best-selling model
7year/100,000 miles warranty
9 EVs to be on sale in the UK by 2027

Different drive modes are selectable, these being Eco, Normal, Sport and a configurable mode. Sport does not increase the car’s performance, but merely alters the feel from the accelerator pedal and firms up the steering. The changes are subtle, and I was content to drive in ‘Normal’ mode.

The EV3’s kerb weight is a hefty 1,885kg and Kia’s engineers have done a decent job with the suspension. Comfort has clearly been the priority and for the most part the EV3 rides well. My driving companion and I decided the ‘Air’ model rides marginally better which we attributed to its smaller wheels.

There is certainly some body roll when pressing on, though it is doubtful that buyers of this type of car will be hugely bothered by this. I would mention that I drove home in a Kia Sportage, which handled the twisty stuff with far more aplomb.

Still of huge concern to new EV adopters are the issues of range and ease of charging. The latter for most will be easily taken care of with a 7kW home charger. Should the need arise on a journey, a fast DC charger will be able to take the Long Range battery from 10 to 80% in around half an hour. And with a theoretical range of over 350 miles, long distance travel should present no issues.

I know from past experience electrified Kia cars cope far better with cold weather than those from many rival manufactures and their indicated range usually proves to be accurate. The EV3 should continue in the same vein.

Interior space is good, especially up front though taller rear passengers may wish for a tad more legroom. The front seats are mounted quite high, which will suit many. I prefer to sit a tad lower. GT-Line models have their seats covered in a smart and soft fabric, mimicking leather. Some smart fabrics are used elsewhere and everything feels of good quality and built to last.

All models are well equipped with climate-controlled air conditioning, heated front seats and steering wheel, a parking camera and much more. Wireless phone charging, a digital key and artificial leather for the seats can be found on GT-Line models, with the GT-Line S adding a power tailgate, useful head-up display, memory seats and an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon premium sound system.

There are 3 screens aboard the EV3, all beautifully integrated into one wide display. The driver’s screen is configurable and comes with Kia’s useful blind spot camera system. Heating and ventilation controls are in the middle section, though these are partially obscured by the steering wheel. And furthest left is the infotainment screen, with easy-to-use menus controlling many of the car’s functions. There are some physical switches for adjusting the cabin temperature and audio volume, which is to be lauded.

Boot space is generous at 460-litres, bigger than most of the EV3’s obvious rivals. There’s a hidden underfloor cubbyhole and under the bonnet is another storage space which should fit the charging cables.

As is the modern way, the EV3 comes with a raft of safety tech, and I would be very surprised if it didn’t merit a 5-star Euro NCAP score. There’s Smart Cruise Control, Safe Exit Warning, Highway Driving Assist and much more. Expect the usual bings and bongs, that now come as standard on all new cars. Some can be switched off should you be that way inclined.

In summary, the EV3 is positioned as an attractive option in the burgeoning electric vehicle market and will suit families seeking an affordable yet spacious SUV with impressive range and modern technology. Its competitive pricing, combined with strong performance and practical features, makes it a compelling choice and I look forward to testing one at greater length on home turf in the New Year.


Fast Facts
Kia EV3 range
Priced from £32,995 to £43,895
PCP deals from £381 per month
Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S models
Standard 58.3kWh battery
Long range 81.4kWh battery
WLTP range from 270 to 367 miles
Fastest DC charging time (10-80%) 29 mins
Kerb weight 1,885kg
0-62mph 7.5-7.9 seconds
Top speed 105mph
Braked trailer weight 500kg max