Kia has officially launched its new fully-electric EV3, which will accelerate into the UK later this year as a major rival to the Volkswagen ID.3.
We first got a glimpse of the EV3 late last year when it was announced as a concept, with the compact SUV-hatchback crossover having now made the jump from drawing board to road.
It’ll get a European launch in the second half of the 2024 - and it’ll provide stiff competition to other heavyweights like the Renault Megane E-Tech and the Volvo EX30.
The Kia EV3 will be available with two different battery sizes - 58.3 kWh and 81.4 kWh - with the latter of those two units expected to provide a range of up to 373 miles between charges.
How does that compare with opponents? Well, the VW ID.3 has a range of up to 357 miles while the Volvo EX30 maxes out at around 295 miles - so, the numbers certainly stack up for the Kia.
You can also expect power of up to 204 hp and torque of 283 Nm, which means the EV3 will go neck-and-neck with the ID.3 in the performance stakes. The first 0-62 mph goes by in 7.5 seconds.
Fast DC charging at speeds up to 128 kW allows you to take Kia’s battery from 10-80 per cent full in around 31 minutes.
When it comes to the EV3’s style and tech, Kia has borrowed heavily from its flagship EV9 SUV - which is no bad thing at all when you consider the EV9 has racked-up industry awards like they’re going out of fashion, including an overall ‘Car of the Year’ gong at the The UK Car of the Year Awards 2024.
The EV3 features a long, sloping roofline with a hatchback-style tailgate and a spacious, minimalist interior made from recycled materials.
The EV3 in ‘GT-line’ trim also features a more ‘rugged and adventurous appearance’, says Kia, with contrasting lower body trim and sportier-looking bumpers.
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Depending on which model you choose to lease, the EV3 will come with a 30-inch digital display - which includes a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit - and plenty of buttons on the steering wheel to stop you always having to delve into the infotainment system to find specific functions.
Driver assistance and safety systems include Electric Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control (eDTVC), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Highway Driving Assist, Remote Smart Parking, and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.
You can also expect Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, which lets you power other electrical items - like your laptop or coffee machine - when you’re on the go.
Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia, says: “By providing groundbreaking design, an industry-leading electric drivetrain, and practical, innovative lifestyle solutions, the EV3 aims to extend Kia’s exceptional EV SUV experience to a wider audience.”
The elephant in the room here is the Kia Niro EV.
The Kia EV3 is roughly the same size as the Kia Niro EV - with the EV3 being ever so slightly shorter and getting a smaller boot than its Niro EV sibling - and both cars have a similar exterior design.
Will the arrival of the EV3 prompt the competent Niro EV to exit stage left? The smart money says so, even though the Niro EV remains a very good car indeed.
Before the Kia EV3 arrives, you can lease the versatile Kia Niro EV with Select Car Leasing from £323 per month*.
*Prices include VAT. Credit is Subject to Status, Ts and Cs and Arrangement Fees apply. Excess mileage may apply. Stock levels and prices correct as of 23/05/24.
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