NEW KIA EV3: Is this the electric car that rewrites the rules? | Electrifying

#kiaev3 #kiaelectric #electriccars

The Kia EV3 is an all-electric ‘B-segment SUV’, which is industry speak for ‘a small-ish, SUV-ish hatchback.’ At 4.3-metres long, it’s a touch smaller than the Kia Niro EV, bigger than the Jeep Avenger and a very similar size to the VW ID.3 and Volvo EX30.  This is an important car for Kia because compact SUVs like this make up almost a third of all new cars sold in Europe and from our first look we think the EV3 is great all rounder that may well become the car to beat in its class.

One of its strong points will be its driving range and efficiency, as the EV3 gets a WLTP range of 373 miles from the 81.4kWh usable battery. It’ll be fairly affordable, too; the EV3 will cost from around £33,000 when it arrives later in 2024. Given the range, the big car tech that it offers and those funky EV9-inspired looks, that’s a lot of car for the money.  

Details of the powertrain are still under wraps, but the EV3 sits on a modified version of the E-GMP platform that also underpins the EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5, so we’d expect to see front-wheel drive – and possibly even a fast, dual-motor, four-wheel drive variant arriving at a later date.

The EV3 specialises in offering lots of big car tech. Some of it will be optional, but you’ll be able to have heated and ventilated front seats and a head-up display. Kia’s semi-autonomous drive system, which will stop-and-start the car with the flow of the traffic, beam the speed limit onto the dash and keep the car in its lane, will be standard across the range.

It’s the first Kia to get some new nifty regenerative braking technology which means you can opt for different levels of one-pedal driving so if full regeneration isn’t your thing you can calm it down a little.  The EV3 will also feature vehicle to load and vehicle to grid increasingly common on electric cars, but still not available on VW Group models. 
Full pricing and equipment levels haven’t been confirmed, but expect the EV3 to start from around £33,000 and run right up to more than £40,000.

Join Ginny as she takes a first look around the new Kia EV3. Has Kia built a winner? Let us know in the comments below.

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Our reviews are written by some of the most experienced reviewers in the business and will even help you find the perfect new or used car.

[MGcyclist]

If you live in the country and tend to get power cuts, Vehicle to Load is brilliant!. During the last storm, with creative use of extension leads, had the fridge, freezer, microwave, some portable lights and the TV running off an Ioniq 5 for 3 days, fantastic.

[stupass]

I have used V2L quite a bit since owning an Ioniq 5. My camping gear is now electric ( induction hob and fridge), used V2L in a couple of power cuts to keep the freezer and fishtank going, plus sometimes use it as a cheap energy source to heat my home office when it's just me at home (using stored overnight electric in the day), so I don't think it is a gimmick and is a must have for me now. Ev3 is now a contender for my next EV, thanks for the video.

[Orange_Manbaby]

Kia, Hyundai are setting the standard for solid, reliable well thought out EV’s.

[chrisslaterwalker]

I'm beginning to think that Kia have really nailed it with their EV offerings, overtaking Audi (who really haven't), Mercedes (not quite there yet) and BMW (almost there) on the way.

[bmarcus]

Looks like a great car that will do so well in the UK. Kia are fantastic in the EV space.

[dwaynewal-e]

This KIA EV3 is so electrifyingly beautiful. Wow!!

[stephenwhitworth]

KIa is certainly kicking a lot of goals these days and I am looking forward to driving one when they arrive in Australia. Vehicle to load is a fantastic option and yes I would use it regularly: camping, as an integrated power source through my smart meter when the the grid prices go through the roof. It should be one of the most important options for consumers, and yes, European manufacturers are laggards in that space.

[ottot]

V2H (Vehicle to Home) and V2G (Vehicle to Grid) is very important to me and a must have. This car looks amazing, I love it and will order a test drive as soon as it's available.

[robsmitha]

We had a power cut a week ago and being able to plug the fridge freezer into the car would have been very useful

[manuelsevigny]

Can't wait to see it in real. I'm waiting for a nice small EV with a decent range for a long time! I hope they'll sell it in Canada

[Flyingzard]

I use V2L pretty much daily on my Ioniq 5. It powers loads of stuff in my house throughout the day and then I charge the car using cheap energy rates at night, I have used it to power the lawn mover and for many camping trips. It is a major consideration for my next EV that the car has to have V2L. I cannot fathom why cars like the ID Buzz do not have it - that is the perfect EV on the market for camping. VW have missed a trick there.

[shaywhelan]

She had me at "never have to pay subscriptions for options"

[DennisHelmar]

One of my favorite features is vehicle to load and at this price it is fantastic!

[stevewest]

There's so much to like about this car, looks, practicality, range, BUTTONS and tech. Kia really are on top of their EV game.
If I had to be picky I prefer the charge flap to be on the front, no heads up display (?) and the DC charging speed is a bit slow (tho this will preserve the battery) but meh. I like the narrower screens...when driving you can rest your fingers on the top of the screen and use your thumb. I'm really not into big screens
Just take my money now!

[Avatar]

Looks like a winner. Waiting for more details.

[jeffreyt]

BMW are starting to look like old Kia cars. And Kia is killing it out there.

If someone would’ve told me I’d rather drive a KIA EV3 than a similar BMW even if I get them for free I’d have called them crazy haha

[marvinsamuels]

Looks a good size for families. Would prefer a non-SUV body style, but I like a lot of the details and styling of it.

[dewarmc]

A great review on the EV3 Ginny, oh and as I am watching this on Saturday evening, I'm sure that by now, your concerns about Man Utd's recent performance has been well and truly quashed with a few glasses of your favourite, after watching the FA Cup :-)

[stefan]

The EV3 is a well designed, good and practical EV. It's not too big, not too small, just the right size SUV. I'm sure KIA will sell a lot of them.

[PaulMeier-cuds]

Thank for a great preview.

The bit which caught my eye was vehicle to grid. We have a battery installation at home of about the size of the entry level EV3. Being able to double that by using the car in extremis (we get power cuts about 4 times a year) really appeals. Apart from that I would probably want a 4WD option which I could get with Smart or Mini at a price.