NEW Kia EV3 review – the best small SUV? | What Car?

Is the new Kia EV3 the best small SUV you can buy in 2025? Watch our in-depth review to find out how good it really is, and which version makes the most sense.

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[Reifenthaler]

Wait. In Germany, we have the option for a "winter package" for the "Air" trim, bringing the heat pump and a heated steering wheel.
We just bought exactly that one.

[anton_grahn]

The £40k luxury tax should at least be inflation adjusted, if it was ajusted from 2017 pounds when it was introduced it would be £52k now

[rwd]

I think that the two most interesting reasonably priced EV's just now is the standard range, low trim EV3 and Renault 5 LR Techno/Iconic.
What I understand from the reviews, Renault is more fun to drive and looks stunning but EV3 is more practical and has 7 years warranty. This is a tough one 😊

[kelvin]

@4:43 You literally demonstrate there why no one needs a powered tailgate. You closed it faster than finding and pressing the button to close it.

[NigelR-Ambienfinity]

I rather like the Air trim, don't mind the black plastic on the wheel arches and that weird picnic table thing on the top models doesn't bother me either. Kia are hitting it out of the park in terms of design language at the moment. Great review.

[thomaseriksson]

Heatpump is standard in all models in Sweden😎
Nice video-thanks👍

[JohnSmith-uzdt]

I look forward to this coming to the US. It’s all the EV I need. It looks like it will be a good replacement for the BMW i3. Living in southern Arizona, I don’t need a heat pump.

[rogerfroud]

Just bought one, and I love it. Having swapped it for a Smart Car it seems absolutely huge to me. I have no idea why a family of 4 would ever want anything bigger than this. How would you park it anywhere in the UK if it was bigger?
The Air, Long Range has an amazing range, and the battery is plenty big enough to provide heating without reducing the range much in moderate climates. Sure, a heat pump would be more efficient, but it won't save you much in the long run when you have to get it repaired. Electric elements are simple and reliable, so that's a good solution.
There's tons of room in the back, including headroom.
I know people will say it's not that quick, but if you're coming from an ICE car, it's going to seem blindingly fast. There's no reason to have anything faster. I love the balloon tyres for a smooth, quiet ride and cheaper replacements. Body roll? Who cares. It's a family SUV, and you honestly won't notice.
As for that screen where there's a bit you can't easily see. Think about it. Tesla has a massive screen and NOTHING in front of you. This has the equivalent of two screens, simply by stretching one long one to do both. That's what Tesla should have done, but I guess they didn't think of that solution.
The higher spec versions make no sense because of the Luxury Car Tax and frankly they don't give anything I want other than maybe the seats and slightly better trim. A Sun roof is hardly used and a libility in the long run, and the glossy wheel arches are going to be harder to keep nice. The different wheels reduce the range and are absolutely pointless on a car like this.
Having lived with it for a week, I doubt if I'll ever charge it past 80% unless I'm no a really long trip. Most days out are easily accomplished on a modest charge.

[kelvin]

In the Niro EV, which has a similar dash layout, there is a blank section between the two displays. To answer your question, what is the point, I would say the point is why not? The passenger can see it, and you show how it can be expanded for the driver so it isn't a loss for it being there.

[melvinx]

if you are looking at buying and are budget focussed and dont mind the wait, give it 6 months and see how much the kia approved prices are. you still get the full 7 year warranty on their used approved. they have top spec ev6 from last September at about £43, 14k off new prices

[davidho]

There's a trend these days with Kia and other car brands to have plastic backs on their front seats. I get that it's easier to keep clean but they are prone to scuffing and if that happens it's very difficult to hide and clean up. I noticed this in my Niro EV and it looks very similar here. I'd be interested to see if they discontinue the Niro EV. The EV3 has better battery and range numbers but it just a tiny bit smaller. The unfinished black trim on the Air trim looks a bit cheap and the info screen has a longer diagonal but looks thinner vertically.

[mrakronyahoo]

The point of the panel could be for the passenger. This is designed for families - so there will usually be a partner/spouse in the passenger seat who can easily operate the middle panel

[American_Energy]

Love that the title is just referring to the best small SUV, rather than caveat with an EV label.

[marcelofernandez]

For the UK it would be key for you to point out what spec you would recommend for under 40k, and if it makes sense to go beyond that tax threshold

[mikadavies]

For me the EV3 and Scenic and the two most stylish great range EVs on the market.

[ulfjohannesson]

some features that this video says are only in the GT version are in the Upgrade version as well.

[kelvin]

Why is a heat pump even an extra cost, if it has aircon it already has most of what is needed. aircon IS a heatpump, the "heatpump" as refereed to for car and house heating is just an aircon that can be reversed. It is inexcusable that EV's do not come with it as standard.

[polyglotuk]

Grr I want 17” wheels and a heat pump. Swines.

[dcvariousvids]

As I understand the VED charges, it would mean that if you chose a paint for the GT Line, other than the FOC unpeeled carrot. That would raise the EV3 into the luxury car bracket. So for the second five years, that would be very expensive paint. Better to go for the Air LR, option a colour and buy seat covers that will not be susceptible to sticky and or staining accidents or scuff marks and dirty paws.
On the plus side, the FOC unpeeled carrot colour, will make it undesirable to thieves.

[mrakronyahoo]

Thats a beautiful car - sunset orange is stunning. I have ordered the Long-range air trim. No more range-anxiety