Kia EV3 review

Read Caroline’s Kia EV3 review to find out everything you need to know about buying Kia’s new compact electric crossover in Ireland.

The new Kia EV3 has arrived in Ireland and is one of the most anticipated new electric models of 2025. It is the follow-up to Kia’s popular EV6 and award-winning EV9 and is part of the brand’s range of “EV” electric vehicles.

With compact dimensions but the same wheelbase as the Sportage, the EV3 promises to be a stylish and practical car for Irish new car buyers. There are two batteries to choose from, with the largest offering a range of 600 kilometers on a single charge.

Let’s take a closer look.

design

The EV3 is a quirky-looking compact electric crossover. It sits slightly higher off the ground than a regular hatchback and has a pleasingly chunky appearance. The car has a lot of aerodynamic improvements, so there are plenty of smooth surfaces, flush door handles at the front, hidden door handles at the rear, active air flaps, and a slightly narrower roof at the rear to optimize air flow vehicle.

At the front, it features the same LED “star map” lighting that has become a signature of the brand. This is replicated later. A variety of colors are available, including Frost Blue and GT Line-exclusive Aventurine Green.

The series starts with the 17-wheel Earth 2 trim line. This is the best spec to get the most mileage out of your car. Earth 3 and GT Line come with 19-inch wheels, which affects efficiency somewhat. The GT Line also replaces the EV3’s normal cladding, with a black high-gloss finish in areas such as around the wheel arches.

Kia EV3 interior

The EV3 has a modern and minimalist cabin with excellent digital technology. The fully digital driver display incorporates a small panel for climate settings and a touchscreen for controlling media, maps and more. It’s responsive and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly together. The system also includes battery conditioning to optimize battery temperature for optimal charging rates. This function can be activated manually or automatically when a fast charger is selected as a destination in the built-in navigation.

The EV3’s minimalist design and lack of a center console creates a lot of open space at the front of the car. Earth 3 and GT Line versions have ample storage space, cup holders and a small sliding table between the two front seats. The cabin feels solid, but there’s a lot of solid gray plastic on the dashboard and doors. Higher-spec models do have more fabric upholstery and ambient lighting to add even more of a luxurious feel. Fabric seats are standard, while Earth 3 and GT Line models have synthetic leather seats.

Even the most entry-level Earth 2 model comes with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, USB ports and plenty of safety equipment. Earth 3 adds features such as power adjustment for the driver’s seat, ambient lighting and a sliding table. The range-topping GT Line comes with a head-up display, sunroof, special three-spoke steering wheel, heated rear seats and even a 3-pin socket under the rear seats!

Practicality

Built on a custom electric vehicle platform, the EV3 has a completely flat floor so all rear-seat passengers have plenty of legroom. There are Isofix on the two outboard seats. There’s no pass-through loading, but the rear seats can be split 60:40.

The EV3 has a roomy 460-litre boot with plenty of practical features, such as a lid and false floor that can be used to create a flat loading threshold with space underneath for charging cables, or drop completely to create more depth for carrying larger items . There is also a small storage compartment under the hood. GT Line models come standard with a power tailgate.

Battery and range

The Kia EV3 comes with a choice of two lithium-ion batteries. The standard range has a usable capacity of 55kWh and a range of 436 kilometers on a single charge (WLTP). The long-range battery has a usable capacity of 78kWh and can travel 605 kilometers on a single charge, and can travel up to 585 kilometers in the GT Line model test (WLTP).

Entry models don’t come with a heat pump, but it’s standard on Earth 3 and GT Line.

In more than 700 kilometers of driving, my average energy consumption was 20 kWh per 100 kilometers, which is equivalent to the actual driving range of the Kia EV3 Long Range GT Line of 390 kilometers. The test was carried out over the Christmas period, when mild weather was followed by a very cold snap. Driving includes city, country road and high speed motorway driving.

Driving a Kia EV3

The EV3 has been tuned for European roads and features an advanced multi-link rear suspension for a very orderly ride on Irish roads. Only very rutted country roads or town manhole covers will make the EV3 uncomfortable, so for an electric car it’s one of the most comfortable and compliant cars on the market at this end of the market. There’s not a lot of road or wind noise, which makes driving very relaxing. All versions use a 204-horsepower electric motor to power the front wheels, and the GT Series can sprint from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds.

The low weight of the battery ensures it always feels solid and stable on the road, while the steering maintains a good connection to the road. When you brake as you approach junctions or roundabouts it does feel heavy at times and there’s also a lean in the corners. Multiple driving modes have also been conveniently added, including Eco, Normal, Sport, My Drive and Snow. There are paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the intensity of regenerative braking, and there’s a full-pedal driving mode that lets you control the car with just the gas pedal.

TOLL

EV3 uses a 400-volt charging architecture and can charge up to 135kW DC in long-range battery form. This means that a standard range battery takes 31 minutes or 29 minutes to charge from 10-80%. Includes 11kW AC charging. GT Line models add the ability to charge the vehicle via an adapter, meaning you can power other devices from the car.

Kia EV3 pricing

The Earth 2 with the standard range battery starts at 36,790 euros, and the Earth 2 with the long-range battery starts at 40,350 euros. The Earth 3 with only the long-range battery is priced at 42,840 euros, and the GT series is priced at 47,190 euros.

judgment

The new Kia EV3 is a timely development of Kia’s expertise in compact electric vehicles, starting with cars such as the Niro and Soul, which have performed well in the Irish market and made Kia one of the most prolific electric car manufacturers.

Built on a bespoke electric vehicle platform, the new Kia EV3 is a very complete machine with competitive range, a practical interior and a host of eye-catching touches.

While people will likely spend more on the long-range battery version, the EV3 in its simplest form is well equipped and will be a great option for those who can charge at home. For longer trips, long-range batteries provide greater freedom of charging.

There are plenty of new competitors on the market right now, but the EV3’s combination of style, practicality, on-board technology and price will keep it at the top of its game!

_______________

Screenplay by Caroline Kidd

Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Irish Car of the Year Judge

Kia EV3 video review

Here’s what the new Kia EV3 looks like and is put to the test on Irish roads to test its comfort and real-world efficiency.

The post Kia EV3 Review appeared first on Changing Lanes.