The Kia EV3 is effectively a successor to the Kia e-Niro, as both occupy a similar footprint on the road, but that’s where the similarities end. The EV3 is visually very different, very much styled along the same lines as the three-row Kia EV9, in line with the Korean brand’s latest design direction. Late last year (November 2024), we got our first opportunity to drive the EV3 at its international media launch, and you can read Neil’s detailed review of the Kia EV3 GT-Line Long Range here. Since then, we’ve had the chance to spend a longer period of the time with the car to see how it stacks up in both Irish specification and on Irish roads.
How much is the Kia EV3 in Ireland?
The Kia EV3 lineup starts with the Earth 2 SR (standard range battery), which costs €36,790, inclusive of grants. That standard range battery is a 58.3kWh unit with an official 436-kilometre range. You can also specify the Earth 2 with a long-range 81.4kWh battery that provides up to 605 kilometres of range for €40,350, a €3,560 upgrade. From there, only the larger battery is available on the €42,840 Earth 3 and the range-topping GT-line, which costs €47,190.
Regardless of battery size, the Kia EV3 uses a 204hp (150kW) electric motor to drive the front wheels. Outside of the three equipment grades, the only other option to consider is the €600 metallic paint.
Driving the Kia EV3 on Irish roads
When we initially drove the EV3, Neil commented on how it delivered an overriding sensation of comfort and plenty of refinement. We’re pleased to say that away from Europe’s lovely smooth roads, the Kia doesn’t disappoint in Ireland, even in GT-Line specification that rides on larger diameter 19-inch wheels.
As with many electric cars, the Kia feels planted when it’s on the move. That stability is mainly because much of the car’s weight sits relatively low. It’s one thing to have an advantageous low centre of gravity, but the vehicle must also handle and perform, and in the EV3’s case, it does. The suspension has a slight firmness to it, complemented by a good damping setup. Simply put, it soaks up the bigger bumps without them jolting through the cabin, yet it isn’t a bouncy ride. There is also minimal body lean, so when you take a bend at speed, it doesn’t list to one side or the other, adding to that surefooted sensation.
This not only adds confidence but also underlines the solidity and sense of quality that shines through in the EV3. In terms of build quality, it’s rock solid. During our extended time with the car, there wasn’t so much as a squeak or rattle from the interior trim, and generally, the road noise remained impressively low for such a car. Only on particularly poor road surfaces did the cabin noise increase, which would be true of any vehicle in such conditions.
We mentioned ride comfort, but the road holding is also good here, with a light yet positive steering feel. The EV3 isn’t the smallest car out there, but it manages to produce that sensation of shrinking around you when driving. It’s quite an easy car to place on the road and squeeze into parking spaces, even if it is a little on the wide side.
What is the Kia EV3’s range on a charge?
Here, we’re reviewing a car using the larger battery - the 81.4kWh unit - which Kia states has an official range of 563 kilometres in this specification. The official energy consumption figure is 16.2kWh/100km, which is respectable. During our time with the car, it wasn’t as efficient; even with a good mixture of driving scenarios, it returned 22.7kWh/100km. However, we must note that this was during the coldest weeks of winter, which impacts the range of any electric car, so we would expect that consumption figure to improve over a yearly average.
The EV3 performed well when it came to its charging performance. On a domestic charging unit, a charge from 10 to 100 per cent can be done in 7 hours 15 minutes. More impressive is the EV3’s fast-charging abilities. The peak 128kW DC rate quoted by Kia is easily attainable, meaning a 10-80 per cent charge of the larger battery takes just 31 minutes. That seems to ring true in our experience; during one charging session at an Ionity station, the Kia displayed a consistent 130kW charge rate for several minutes after plugging in.
One helpful feature is that the battery can be pre-conditioned while travelling to the charging station. This function ensures the battery is at its optimum temperature prior to connecting to the charger, resulting in less time needed to recharge.
Driving electric continues to be one of the cheaper forms of motoring, as the annual motor tax rate is the lowest at €120 per annum. Kia continues to offer a seven-year warranty (up to 150,000 kilometres) for its cars, including the battery up to a capacity of at least 70 per cent, provided the vehicle is maintained according to the manufacturer’s schedule. The warranty also stays with the car, so if you’re selling it or buying a used one that hasn’t exceeded the mileage and is less than seven years old, it goes with the car.
What are the Kia EV3’s rivals?
There are a growing number of rivals to the EV3, the most significant likely being the Skoda Elroq. Similarly sized, it also targets a competitive price point and is certainly one to consider. The Hyundai Kona Electric is also worth consideration as it comes from the same automotive group as the Kia, though this latest generation of Kona is slightly larger than its predecessor and is bigger than the EV3.
Other compact electric crossovers include the BYD Atto 3 and the Peugeot E-2008. We would also include the MG4, as it’s a high-riding hatchback of a comparable size, and its keen pricing makes it hard to ignore. Other hatchbacks to consider are the Cupra Born, Renault Megane E-Tech Electric, and Volkswagen ID.3; even though these are slightly smaller, they remain good cars to drive and warrant consideration.
For many existing owners of the Kia e-Niro, the EV3 would be a natural replacement, assuming the desire for a similar-sized car remained. Not only does it offer more technology onboard, but it also offers more range and a more contemporary design.
Does the Kia EV3 nail the brief?
It absolutely does, and the EV3 feels like the well-rounded package that Kia set out to create. In fact, we’d go as far as to say it’s one of the most complete offerings in its segment right now. From its decent real-world driving range and fast-charging capabilities to its distinctive design and keen driving dynamics, the Kia EV3 seemingly has it all. It is practical in terms of passenger and luggage space, and whether it’s in urban settings or on longer motorway journeys, the Kia is enjoyable to drive and would make for a pleasant ownership experience.
Ask us anything about the Kia EV3
If there’s anything about the Kia EV3 we haven’t covered, or you’d like advice on choosing between it and other cars, you can access our (completely free) expert advice service via the Ask Us Anything page.
