Read Caroline’s Kia EV3 review for 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 to go on sale in 2025. It’s the follow-up to Kia’s popular EV6 and award-winning EV9 in the brand’s ‘EV’ range of electric vehicles.
With compact dimensions yet a wheelbase the same as the Sportage, the EV3 promises to be a stylish and practical car for Irish new car buyers. There are two battery options with the largest capable of driving up to 600 kilometres on a single battery charge.
Let’s take a closer look.
Design
The EV3 is a quirkily styled compact electric crossover. It sits a little bit higher off the ground than the average hatchback and has pleasantly chunky looks. A lot has gone into the aerodynamics of this car, so there is plenty of smooth surfacing, flush door handles at the front, hidden ones at the rear, an active air flap and the roof is slightly narrower at the rear to optimise air flow over the vehicle.
At the front, it has the same LED ‘star map’ lighting that has become a signature for the brand. This is replicated at the rear. There are a range of colours available including Frost Blue and the GT Line exclusive Aventurine Green.
The range kicks off with the Earth 2 trim line on 17-wheels. This is the best spec to get the most range from the car. The Earth 3 and GT Line come on 19-inch wheels, which impacts efficiency somewhat. The GT Line also replaces the EV3’s plain cladding for a black high gloss finish in areas like around the wheel arches.
Kia EV3 Interior
The EV3 has a modern and minimalist cabin with excellent digital tech on board. The full digital driver display blends into a small panel for climate settings and a touchscreen than controls media, maps and more. It is responsive and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto work seamlessly. The system also includes battery conditioning to optimise battery temperature for the best charging rate. This can be activated manually or automatically when a fast charger is selected as the destination in the in-built navigation.
The minimalist design and lack of a centre console creates a lot of open space up front in the EV3. There is plenty of storage, cupholders and a small sliding table between the two front seats in the Earth 3 and GT Line versions. The cabin feels solidly built but there is quite a lot of plain grey plastic in the dashboard and doors. Higher spec models do get more fabric trim and ambient lighting to add a little more plushness. Fabric seats come as standard, while Earth 3 and GT Line models have synthetic leather seats.
Even the very entry Earth 2 model is well-equipped with heated front seats, heated steering wheel, wireless smartphone charging, USB ports and loads of safety equipment. The Earth 3 adds things like power adjustment for the driver’s seat, ambient lighting and the sliding table. Top of the range GT Line comes with a head-up display, sunroof, special three spoke steering wheel, heated rear seats and even a 3-pin socket underneath the rear seats!
Practicality
Built on a bespoke electric vehicle platform, the EV3 has a completely flat floor so all rear seat passengers have plenty of legroom. There is Isofix on the two outer seats. There is no through loading but the rear seats do split fold 60:40.
The EV3 has a generous 460-litre boot with plenty of practical features like a cover and a false floor that can be used to create a flat loading sill with space underneath to store charging cables, or dropped completely to create more depth for carrying larger items. Under the bonnet there is also a small storage compartment. GT Line models come with a powered tailgate as standard.
Battery and Range
The Kia EV3 is available with the choice of two lithium ion batteries. The standard range has 55kWh usable capacity and can travel up to 436 kilometres (WLTP) on a single battery charge. The long range battery has a 78kWh usable capacity and can travel up to 605 kilometres on a single charge or up to 585 kilometres in the GT Line model tested (WLTP).
The entry model does not come with a heat pump but it’s standard on the Earth 3 and GT Line.
Over 700 kilometres of driving my average consumption was 20 kWh per 100 kilometres, which translates to real world range of 390 kilometres from the Kia EV3 long range GT Line. The test was performed over the Christmas period with a spell of mild weather followed by a cold snap with very low temperatures. Driving included urban, rural roads and high speed motorway driving.
Driving the Kia EV3
The EV3 has been tuned for European roads and comes with a sophisticated multi-link rear suspension that translates to a very orderly drive on Irish roads. Only the very rutted rural roads or manhole covers in town upset the EV3 so for an electric vehicle, it is one of the most comfortable and compliant at this end of the market. There’s not too much road or wind noise, which makes for a very relaxing drive. All versions use a 204hp motor powering the front wheels, and the GT line can do the 0-100 km/h sprint in 7.9 seconds.
The low down weight of the battery ensures it feels solid and stable on the road at all times, while the steering gives a good connection to the road. It does feel quite heavy at times when you’re braking approaching a junction or roundabout, and there is lean in corners too. There’s the handy addition of driving modes including Eco, Normal, Sport, My Drive and Snow. There are paddles behind the steering wheel to adjust the strength of regenerative braking and a full one pedal driving mode that allows you to control the car using just the accelerator pedal.
Charging
The EV3 uses a 400 volt charging architecture and can charge up to 135kW DC in its long range battery form. That translates to a 10-80% battery charge in 31 minutes or 29 minutes for the standard range battery. 11kW AC charging is included. GT Line models add vehicle to load charging with an adaptor that means you can power other devices from the car.
Kia EV3 Pricing
The range kicks off at €36,790 for the Earth 2 with standard range battery or from €40,350 with the long range battery. The Earth 3 with the long range range battery only is available from €42,840 and from €47,190 for the GT Line.
Verdict
The new Kia EV3 is a timely evolution of Kia’s expertise in compact electric vehicles that started with the likes of the Niro and Soul, cars that did well in the Irish market and put Kia on the map as one of the most prolific makers of electric cars.
Built on a bespoke electric vehicle platform, the new Kia EV3 is a very complete machine with competitive range, practical interior and plenty of style to turn heads.
While the temptation might be to make the bigger spend on the long range battery version, in its simplest form the EV3 is well-equipped and will make a good runabout for those who can charge at home. For longer trips, the long range battery offers more freedom between charges.
There’s a slew of new competitors hitting the market at the moment but the EV3’s combination of style, practicality, on board tech and price will keep it definitely at the races!
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Written by Caroline Kidd
Founder and Editor of Changing Lanes, Juror for Irish Car of the Year
Kia EV3 Video Review
Here’s a look around the new Kia EV3 and a test drive on Irish roads to check out its comfort and real world efficiency.
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