Kia states that the EV3 can cover almost 600 km on a charge. Does it manage it?
It would not be truthful to say that I approached the Kia EV3 with the same expectations I have whenever I begin a new road test. The South Korean brand embarked on its electric-car journey a good few years ago, and I have been fortunate enough to follow that progress closely.
The EV9 has already demonstrated that Kia can make large electric vehicles. With the new EV3, it aims to prove it can do the same at the smaller end of the market - or, more accurately, in the compact class.
At 4.3 m long, with cabin room worthy of a class above and a claimed range of more than 500 km, the Kia EV3 appears to have been tailored almost perfectly for European buyers.
There is always a gap, though, between the figures on paper and the experience from behind the wheel. Having already been driven by several colleagues here in a range of versions, it was finally my turn to put it through its paces. I tested the longest-range version in a mid-level trim.
No shortage of space
Its greatest strength is space - lots of it. The driving position is well judged, the cabin has an airy visual feel, the seats are comfortable, and rear passengers get legroom you would not expect in a car of this size. It may well be the roomiest model in its segment.
Ergonomics are also well considered and, thankfully, physical controls have not disappeared entirely. The gear selector is mounted on the steering column, there is a pull-out tray in the centre armrest, and the front passenger seat can even fold down to create a table.
Three displays - 12.3-inch, 5-inch and 12.3-inch - are neatly integrated into the dashboard. However, the central one, which is used for climate controls, is obscured by the steering wheel. It is not flawless, but there are enough physical buttons to make up for it. USB ports and air vents are also provided.
Kia EV3 range: the long-distance champion
Kia quotes a range of 563 km on the combined WLTP cycle for the Kia EV3 with the larger 81.4 kWh battery. During this test, the trip computer recorded a final average of 16.7 kWh/100 km, in predominantly extra-urban driving.
Based on those figures, a real-world range of around 490 km is realistic, even with the air conditioning running and without trying to drive especially economically. That is very impressive. If you remain in town, travelling more than 600 km on one battery charge should not be difficult.
The Kia EV3 uses a 400 V electrical architecture rather than the 800 V setup found in the EV6 and EV9. Even so, it supports rapid charging at up to 128 kW, while AC charging is available at up to 11 kW.
Its 150 kW (204 hp) motor does not deliver sports-car performance - nor is it intended to - but the 283 Nm of torque provides the brisk acceleration expected of an electric car. Officially, it completes the 0–100 km/h sprint in just 7.9 seconds.
Paddles behind the steering wheel let the driver select between three regeneration settings, or choose an automatic mode that adjusts the regenerative braking level according to the distance from the vehicle ahead. The Kia EV3 also features i-Pedal, allowing it to be driven for most of the time using only the accelerator pedal and bringing the car to a complete stop.
The predicted range figures shown by the trip computer are realistic enough to remove any range anxiety. As well as an average figure, it displays maximum and minimum estimates, should you want to make full use of the electric motor.
The enduring question of price
The Kia EV3 is intended to be a rational choice in the electric-car market, and its arguments largely add up. Its only real weakness is the price promise, at least in this specification.
In Portugal, the smallest of Kia’s electric cars starts at €36,800 with a promotional offer. The Tech version tested here, however, rises above €45,000 once charges and paint are included, without that offer. With it, the price can fall to €41,800.
It is a good, well-made car, certainly. Cheap? Not quite in this version…
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