Kia EV3 Review the Best Small SUV

Kia EV3 Review the Best Small SUV. Kia EV3 is the smallest electric vehicle in Kia’s lineup, measuring just over 4.3 meters long, and is categorized as a small SUV

Kia EV3

This is the Kia EV3, and it’s the smallest electric car that Kia makes. But this isn’t some tiny Hyundai Insta or Citroën EC3 rival. It’s actually a very practical SUV with a great range between charges, and if you pick the right version, it can be great value for money. In this review, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the new EV3.

The Smallest Electric Car in Kia’s Lineup

This is currently the smallest electric car in Kia’s lineup. It’s just over 4.3 meters long, about 11 cm shorter than the Niro EV, and that means we class this as a small SUV. Its main rivals are cars like the Smart #1 and the Volvo EX30. But really, because of the price and the type of car this is, if you’re looking at one of these, you might also be considering a Skoda Elroq or a Renault Scenic. Both of those cars are classed as family SUVs because they’re more than 4.4 meters long.

Entry-Level Air Trim

If you go for the entry-level Air trim, this is what your EV3 will look like. It will get 17-inch alloys, gray unfinished plastic on the wheel arches, and a choice of five different paint colors, including Sunset Orange, which is the only color you don’t have to pay extra for. If you go for GT-Line or GT-Line S, you’ll get larger 19-inch wheels. The unfinished plastic on the wheel arches, bumper, and sills will be painted gloss black, and you’ll have an extra couple of paint colors to choose from, including Pistachio Green.

Battery Options and Range

There are two battery options available with the EV3. If you go for the smaller 55 kWh standard-range battery, you’ll have to go for the entry-level Air trim. The official range is 270 miles, which isn’t bad at all, although you won’t actually get that far in real-world driving. On a freezing cold day, you’ll be lucky to see more than about 200 miles even with a fully charged battery. If you go for the long-range battery, the usable capacity rises to 78 kWh, and the official range goes up to a maximum of 375 miles, which is only slightly behind the long-range version of the Renault Scenic. If you go for the long-range battery, you can choose from any trim level.

Charging Speed

The EV3 doesn’t have the 800-volt electrical architecture of the more expensive EV6 and EV9, so it is slower to charge. If you go for the smaller battery standard-range version, the peak charging rate is 100 kW. That means, in ideal conditions at a fast enough charging point, you will be waiting 29 minutes for a 10 to 80% charge. The long-range version can accept a faster charging rate of up to 135 kW, but since you’re charging a bigger battery, you’ll be waiting a couple of minutes longer.

Boot Space

The boot is pretty big for a small SUV. There is officially 460 liters of space below the load cover. You can fit six carry-on suitcases into that space. The EV3 has a much bigger boot than the Volvo EX30 or the Smart #1. In terms of usable space, the Skoda Elroq is similar, although if load space is a priority, the Renault Scenic has an even bigger boot. All versions come with a height-adjustable boot floor as standard, and if you put it in its lowest setting, there is still space under the floor for the charging cable. The EV3 also has a small 25-liter storage area under the bonnet.

Rear Seat Space

This car is fine for a family of four. There’s plenty of knee room, and headroom is just about okay. The seats don’t slide back and forth like in the Smart #1, and there’s no ski hatch for longer items. The Skoda Elroq offers more space if you regularly need to carry two adults in the back.

Driving Position and Interior

The EV3 gives a proper SUV feel. You sit high up compared to some small SUVs like the Volvo EX30 and the Smart #1, where you almost feel like you’re in a regular hatchback. The driving position has plenty of adjustment, and visibility is good. The start button is hidden behind the steering wheel, and the air conditioning panel next to the touchscreen is hard to see, but the touchscreen itself is 12.3 inches and easy to use. All versions come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. GT-Line models get an upgraded Harman Kardon sound system, though it’s not particularly impressive.

Storage and Practicality

Storage is good in one sense because there’s an enormous tray below the center console, but since it’s open, it can get messy. Door pockets are fairly narrow, and entry-level Air trim has storage under the armrest, but GT-Line models replace this with a sliding tray designed as a laptop stand.

Performance and Comfort

Whichever battery you choose, you get the same 201 bhp electric motor driving the front wheels. That means performance is similar between the standard range and long range, with both doing 0-62 mph in around 7.5 seconds. The EV3 is plenty fast enough. It isn’t as quick as a Tesla Model Y but doesn’t feel underpowered. Kia hasn’t tried to make the EV3 sporty, so there’s some body roll in corners, but the suspension makes the ride comfortable. It’s also quiet, even at 70 mph, and the brakes are smoother than in a Renault Scenic.

Pricing

The price varies quite a lot depending on which version of the EV3 you go for. The entry-level standard-range Air costs just under £33,000, which is very competitive considering its range and standard features like climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry, and adaptive cruise control. The long-range battery adds £3,000, and GT-Line models cost £39,500. The range-topping GT-Line S costs almost £43,000, which is close to a well-equipped Renault Scenic.

Final Thoughts

As long as you’re buying one of the cheaper versions, the EV3 is a fantastic choice. It’s practical, good to drive, and comes with Kia’s 7-year warranty as standard.