Is the new Kia EV3 the best family SUV you can buy?
Exterior – Front
So the overall design of the EV3 is very similar to the EV9 but it is more rounded and young looking. It makes it more attractive to the younger generation which I like. To start with we get a set of daytime running lights on top of the light and down the side of the light to give it a concept style look. We also get pixel style headlight units like what the EV9 has which looks modern. Lower down we get an exaggerated air vent with a smaller vent lower down and we also get any side vents which is unusual but is slowly becoming more common on electric cars. We also get some shiny silver bits on the front too.
Exterior – Side
Moving round to the side and we get a chunky design. To start with it has a boxy look with boxy proportions and boxy black cladded wheel arches. We also get some shiny lower skirts and some boxy style wheel designs. The creases are also sharp to help with the boxy look. We also get flush door handles and a hidden rear door handle just like what the Renault Clio has. The overall proportions also make the car look smaller than what it is too helping the youthful look of the car.
Exterior – Rear
Moving round to the back of the EV3 and just like the front we get a similar design to the EV9 but again it has a more youthful look. To start with we get these taillights that go down the side of the car like a Volvo but also go within the boot of the car giving this interesting look. The graphics also have an interesting pattern just like another Kia’s. these taillights are connected with a black bar a bit like what the Kia Soul had which isn’t surprising as the EV3 is going to replace the Soul. Lower down on the bumper we get some shiny silver panels and some black panels with a texture on it. We also get some reflectors too and of course the number plate. Right, let’s have a look at what battery and motor options you can have with the new Kia EV3.
Car and engine specs and price
The battery and motor lineup for the EV3 is quite simple. There is only one motor option and 2 battery options. Let’s start with the base configuration first. This model has a 58.3 kWh battery pack with a single motor making 201 bhp mounted on the front wheels. All of this means you get 267 miles of range, and the 0-62 time is 7.5 seconds which isn’t that bad, and it doesn’t feel like you need more power. The next version uses the same 201 bhp motor but has a bigger battery pack which is 81.4 kWh is size and this gives you a range of 372 miles, but the 0-62 time does drop slightly down to 7.7 seconds because of the heavier battery pack so that might have to a compromise to have. You do get a DC peak charging rate of 128 kW which will fill the battery up from 10 to 80 percent in about 30 minutes. The smaller battery only charges at 102 kW but fills up just as quickly because of the smaller size. You also get vehicle to load function so you can plug domestic items in the car. The price of the new Kia EV3 starts at £32,995 which is quite good for an electric car and the trim levels that you can get consist of Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S. Right, lets have a look at the interior.
Interior – Design
So, climbing inside the new Kia EV3 and we get a sense of openness. We get a very minimalistic but functional interior. To start with we get this digital panel which houses 3 screens. You get your instrument cluster as well as your infotainment system which is running the latest Kia Infotainment system like what you would find in the EV9 and EV3. It works well and is easy to use like Kia infotainment systems of the past. In the middle of these screens though we get your climate control screen. Now this is available in the EV9 and as I have said in that review I’m not sure on this screen as it means that only the driver can control the climate control. We do get some buttons for the climate control in the middle of the dashboard so the passenger does have some control but that then makes the middle screen feel pointless. Talking of buttons in the middle of the dashboard we get some radio shortcuts too and just below that your air vents. Now we don’t get a centre console as such in this car which does make it feel very open, but it also means that for drivers who like to feel cocooned won’t be able too. This does make up loads of space inside though which is quite nice, and you also get a centre console nearer the seat which has an arm rest and some buttons. The indicator stalks are typical Kia stalks, but we do get a gear selector lower down like the Hyundai Ioniq 5. We also get the new style Kia steering wheel which I do quite like. It has the usual Kia buttons, but it does come in 2 different designs depending on the trim level and can be had with a dual tone affect which is nice. The door card also has the same usual kia buttons and this also has ambient lighting and your heated seat switches too. Overall then it’s not too bad in here. Right let’s have a look and see what the rear is like.
Practicality
So, getting into the back of the EV3 and we get a decent amount of legroom and headroom. This is to be expected in this size of car. We also get some air vents too as well as an arm rest and some USB C ports in the back of the front seats. These seats though I’m not too sure about the rear design for my personal taste but it’s something I can get used to. Sitting 3 in the back is easy as the middle seat is quite wide and there isn’t a hump in the floor. We also get a decent amount of storage and the materials in the back are quite good too. Let’s have a look and see what the boot is like
Boot Size
So, opening the boot to the Kia EV3 and you are welcomed with 460 litres of space with the seats up. This is smaller than the Sportage but bigger than the Kia Soul, Volvo EX30 and Smart #1 and on par with the MINI Countryman Electric. Folding the seats down you are welcomed with 1,251 litres which isn’t that bad but what you also get is a front boot with 25 litres of space which is enough for your charging cables. Only the Volvo EX30 and Smart #1 have that but the EV3’s is bigger and more useable.
Summary
So, what do I think of the new Kia EV3 then. Well for the price of car you are getting a premium feeling family electric SUV with a very good 7-year warranty and very affordable running costs. Compared to its rivals Kia has done mostly everything correctly and is worth putting up high on your list as it has the looks inside and out and the practicality to go with it.
Exterior 5/5
Interior 4/5
Practicality 5/5
Total 14/15
Model | Kia EV3 GT-Line |
Engine | 81.4kWh Battery Pack, Single Motor, 201bhp, 0-62 = 7.7 Seconds 372 Mile Range, Front Wheel Drive |
Transmission | Single Speed Automatic |
Price | £39,495 |
On Sale | Now |
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