KIA EV3

Electrification is for the family

After the EV9 and especially the EV6 with which Kia immediately won the European crown, the title of European Car of the Year 2022, Kia is now offering the EV3 model, planted amidst the compact crossover segment.

According to Kia, the EV3 will offer premium technology and solutions taken from the larger EV6 and EV9. The Corean brand isclearly targeting the very top of the compact electric SUV market, emphasizing a range of up to 605 km and an innovative interior. The EV3 is built on the dedicated Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), with Kia aiming to provide a compact and premium-equipped electric vehicle to a wide a range of customers and at a relatively friendly price. The EV3 measures 4300 mm in length, 1850 mm in width, 1560 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2680 mm. The standard trunk offers 460 liters of space, which expands to 1,251 liters with the rear seats folded down.

Powering the EV3 is an electric motor with a power output of 150 kW (204 HP), allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.7 seconds, with a maximum speed limited to 170 km/h.

The Kia EV3 will be available with two battery options. The standard range battery with a capacity of 58.3 kWh is reported to provide a range of 436 km, while the larger (long-range) battery with a capacity of 81.4 kWh is expected to enable a range of 605 km under ideal conditions. The efficiency and performance of the EV3 are enhanced by active air flap technology and a boat-tail shape to improve aerodynamics. A drag coefficient of just 0.263 helps to reduce power consumption and increase range.

Fast charging with 400-volt technology allows the EV3's batteries to be charged from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes for the standard battery version and in 31 minutes for the larger long-range battery version. In other words, a 15-minute charge is sufficient for a range of 202 km, placing the EV3 among the more efficient electric vehicles when considering the charging time and range per minute of charging. Like the larger models, the EV3 supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) charging, enabling the car to supply power to external devices.

Special attention in the production of the EV3 has been given to the chassis and the car's road position. What Kia had in mind is the particularly demanding European customers who enjoy driving quickly yet safely even in an electric car. The EV3 offers a sufficient level of safety and reliability to meet the expectations of even the most discerning European consumers, aided by various safety assistance systems—including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Highway Driving Assist 2, Smart Cruise Control 2, and a collision prevention system.

Inside, the EV3 features a pleasant, refined interior. Kia aimed to make the driver and passengers feel as if they were in a cozy living room. The selected materials are pleasing to the touch, and a large central display integrates gauges and other driver information, along with the typical central screen usually found separately in the middle of the dashboard. The display offers large, easily readable information and is quick to respond. Below it, the driver has separate shortcut buttons for Home, Map, Search, Media, Favorites, and Setup. Speaking of buttons, these are also found on the steering wheel but commendably feature classic push buttons, while the sliding and rotary switches work well. For an excellent music experience, the EV3 is equipped with a Harman Kardon sound system.

The Kia EV3 will offer above-average connectivity, including over-the-air updates, features on demand via the Kia Connect Store, and a Digital Key 2.0 that allows up to 7 customers to unlock and start the vehicle using a smartphone.

With new software available next year, the EV3 will also be the first Kia to offer Kia's AI Assistant with ChatGPT, enhancing customers' understanding, knowledge, and enjoyment of the vehicle, along with video streaming capability.

The interior of the EV3 features relaxation seats, interesting storage solutions, sliding tables between the front seats, and ample head and legroom. The seats, particularly the headrests mesh is providing better ventilation and comfort. With the EV3 emphasizes its commitment to protecting nature, utilizing many recycled materials collected in the Pacific Ocean in collaboration with the Dutch nonprofit organization, The Ocean Cleanup.