KIA EV3

Kia’s EV6 and EV9 are some of the best electric cars you can buy, but they’re not particularly affordable - that’s where the EV3 comes in. It’s an electric compact SUV that’s just as accomplished as its bigger siblings, offers even more range on a full charge, and yet costs about the same as many of its petrol or diesel-powered alternatives. It’s like the prodigal youngest child of an already very successful family.

While the EV3 isn’t a proper budget EV in the same vein as an MG4 or Hyundai Inster, it certainly has the chops to take on cars such as the VW ID3, Hyundai Kona Electric, Peugeot E-2008 and the former Carwow Car of the Year-winning Volvo EX30.

It’ll certainly turn heads with its styling. While it doesn’t have the eye-catching silhouette of the EV6 or the sheer intimidating bulk of the EV9, the EV3 is a smart-looking car. It’s upright and quite square, with Kia’s distinctive vertical headlight design and plenty of glossy black trim. Interestingly squared-off wheel designs and blocky plastic cladding give it a bit of a rugged edge, too, even though it’s strictly front-wheel drive for now with no particular off-roading capabilities.

One of the EV3’s headline features is the range on offer, though. The basic model has a 58kWh battery that provides up to 270 miles of range on a full charge - that alone would be enough for it to be competitive with its closest alternatives. But there’s a bigger, 81kWh battery available which gives the EV3 up to 375 miles of range - a figure that’s among the best on sale and even higher than the flagship EV6 and EV9.

And on top of being able to drive for a long time, you’ll be comfortable doing so. The EV3 isn’t as sporty as some alternatives, nor is it crazily fast off the line. But it’s powerful enough, quiet and handles bumpy roads well - it’s the electric car you’d be happy driving every day, rather than the one you want to show off at the traffic lights.

DETAILS

It’s a little bit smaller than the Kia Niro EV, which it’s something of an indirect replacement for, but very similar in size to the Volvo EX30. Interior space makes the EX30 look cramped, though - the EV3 has plenty of room in its back seats and a generous 460-litre boot, putting it among the best cars of this size for practicality.

It’s practically designed in the front, too. Kia’s listened to customers and retained physical controls for the air-conditioning, meaning you don’t have to dive into the touchscreen to adjust the temperature or fan speed. When you do, you’ll find twin 12.3-inch screens flanking a smaller 5.3-inch display - they show infotainment, driver information and supplemental climate control details respectively. It’s a little busy, but generally works well and has all the functionality you could want.

Swathes of interesting materials and some unconventional touches - like a flat, featureless centre console that doubles up as a dining table - keep the interior feeling fresh and interesting, though it’s not as futuristic as something like a Tesla Model Y.

SPECIFICATIONS

Range: 270 - 375 miles

Efficiency: 4.6mi/kWh

Battery size: 58kWh - 81kWh

Max charge speed: 128kW

Charge time AC: 8hrs 20 - 11hrs 30 (0-100%, 7kW)

Charge time DC: 29 - 31mins (10-80%, 128kW)

Charge port location: Right front wing

Power outputs: 204hp

Source: https://www.carwow.co.uk/kia/ev3