WhatCar_Pod_SponosredStrip_2026_Desktop

Kia EV3 review

The Kia EV3 is a brilliant small electric SUV

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red

RRP £33,055

Play

Kia EV3 GT static

Kia EV3 driving side

Kia EV3 driving rear right

Kia EV3 static side boot open

Kia EV3 static rear boot open

Kia EV3 front seats

Kia EV3 rear seats

Kia EV3 dashboard

Kia EV3 steering wheel detail

Kia EV3 interior detail

Kia EV3 dashboard

Kia EV3 armrest

Kia EV3 door detail

Dan Jones in back of Kia EV3

Kia EV3 rear interior vents

Kia EV3 rear cornering

Claire Evans driving the Kia EV3

Kia EV3 boot

Kia EV3 touchscreen

Video thumbnail

Kia EV3 GT static

Kia EV3 driving side

Kia EV3 driving rear right

Kia EV3 static side boot open

Kia EV3 static rear boot open

Kia EV3 front seats

Kia EV3 rear seats

Kia EV3 dashboard

Kia EV3 steering wheel detail

Kia EV3 interior detail

Kia EV3 dashboard

Kia EV3 armrest

Kia EV3 door detail

Dan Jones in back of Kia EV3

Kia EV3 rear interior vents

Kia EV3 rear cornering

Claire Evans driving the Kia EV3

Kia EV3 boot

Kia EV3 touchscreen

New car deals

Best price from £31,495

A circular icon with a £ sign at the centre.

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £31,495

RRP from: £33,055

Available now

From £31,495

Leasing deals

From £318

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Kia EV3

Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £318.41 Initial payment £3,820.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

£3,821 initial payment, 48 month contract, 6000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

Power

201 bhp

0-62 mph

7.5 s

Range

270 miles

Figures for Standard Range 58.3kWh Air Auto 5dr

Electric

Electric SUV

Small SUV

Jump to:

Introduction

Performance & drive

Interior

Passenger & boot space

Buying & owning

Will Nightingale

Will Nightingale

Updated: 22 January 2026

How we test cars

Kia has lost its soul – but not in the way you might be thinking. You see, this is the Kia EV3, which replaced the Soul EV as the South Korean brand's smallest electric car.

That means the EV3 sits below the rest of Kia’s growing electric SUV line-up, including everything from the recently added Kia EV4 and Kia EV5 to more established favourites, like the Kia EV6 and Kia EV9.

New car deals

Best price from £31,495

A circular icon with a £ sign at the centre.

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £31,495

RRP from: £33,055

Available now

From £31,495

Leasing deals

From £318

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Kia EV3

Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £318.41 Initial payment £3,820.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

£3,821 initial payment, 48 month contract, 6000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

On paper, things look good for the EV3. Its starting price is competitive, and the version with the longest range can officially travel up to 375 miles on a charge – way farther than any Renault 4 (R4).

Kia EV3 video review

That said, the Kia EV3 faces some tough competition, not only from the cheaper R4 but also the similarly priced Hyundai Kona Electric and Volvo EX30. The Leapmotor B10 also enters this segment with a starting retail price of £30,995 after its £1,500 LEAP-GRANT. Slightly larger alternatives, including the Renault Scenic and Skoda Elroq, are likely to be on the shortlists of potential buyers, too.


What’s New?
January 2026: Kia EV3 wins What Car? Small Electric SUV of the Year 2026
November 2024: First UK deliveries take place
August 2024: Orders open. EV3 Air available with 55kWh or 78kWh (usable capacity) batteries, GT-Line and GT-Line S come with 81.4kWh pack only. All models have 201bhp electric motor, front-wheel drive.
May 2024: EV3 makes its debut

advertisment

scroll for more

Verdict

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red

The Kia EV3 has an impressive range between charges, a comfortable ride, and plenty of standard kit for the price. In short, it's a brilliant small SUV. Our favourite version is the entry-level Standard Range Air, but if you need to consistently travel more than 200 miles between charges, the Long Range battery is well worth a look.

Best buy

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

RRP £33,055

Pros

Cons

Best buy

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

RRP £33,055

Trims available


GT-Line S

The top-of-the-range GT-Line S gets an upgraded eight-speaker Harman Kardon stereo system, a customisable head-up display, electrically adjustable heated (and ventilated) front seats, heated outer rear seats and a powered tailgate. It’s too pricey to recommend, though.

Air

Despite its keen pricing, every EV3 comes well equipped as standard. Indeed, even this entry-level Air version has heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic LED headlights, climate control, keyless entry and start and adaptive cruise control. It's our favourite trim.

GT-Line

Upgrading to mid-spec GT-Line trim gets you larger 19in alloy wheels, sportier styling, wireless phone-charging, rear privacy glass and adjustable lumbar support. We wouldn't bother if you're planning to stick with the Standard Range battery, but if you decide you need the extra range of the Long Range battery, we would be tempted to go for GT-Line for the more controlled ride it brings.

New car deals

Available now

Leasing deals

Performance & drive

What it's like to drive, and how quiet it is

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Kia EV3 rear cornering

Strengths

Weaknesses

How fast is it and which motor is best?

Every Kia EV3 has a 201bhp motor that powers the front wheels (there's no four-wheel-drive option), and that's enough for an official 0-62mph sprint in around 7.5sec. Officially, the Long Range will cover the same sprint in 7.7sec, which is backed up by us hitting 0-60mph (rather than 0-62mph) in 7.4sec when we tested one on our private test track.

advertisment

scroll for more

Both offer all the performance most buyers will need, even if some versions of the Smart #3 and Volvo EX30 are even quicker.


Is it agile and is the ride comfortable?

The EV3 has fairly soft suspension and that helps most versions deliver a plush ride around town and a wonderfully smooth experience on motorways. It's roughly on a par with the larger Renault Scenic and Skoda Elroq, and copes better with road imperfections than the Mini Aceman, Renault 4 and Smart #1.

Only the Long Range version of the EV3 in entry-level Air spec disappoints slightly; this has a bouncier, less settled ride than other variants, probably due to its combination of a big, heavy battery and tyres with tall sidewalls.

It's also worth noting that no EV3 is particularly agile. There's more body lean through corners than there is in an R4, Elroq or EX30, and a noticeable amount of nosedive under braking. In short, the EV3 doesn't appreciate being asked to push on when you're driving along a twisty country road. Take it easy, though, and you'll find it an easy and relaxing car to drive.

advertisment

scroll for more


Is it quiet and how easy is it to drive smoothly?

The EV3 has adjustable levels of regenerative braking (for harvesting energy when slowing down). In its strongest setting, this allows one-pedal driving, meaning the EV3 can bring itself to a stop without you using the brake pedal at all.

If you'd rather do the braking yourself, you’ll be relieved to hear that the brake pedal has a smooth and predictable response. Indeed, it's really easy to use and less grabby at slow speeds than the R4 or Elroq's.

Refinement is impressive across the board, with the EV3 generating no audible electric motor whine under acceleration. Plus, there's little in the way of road and wind noise at a cruise – matching a Scenic and being only slightly louder than an Elroq.


What’s the range and efficiency like, and how quickly can it charge?

The Standard Range version has a battery with a usable capacity of 55kWh, while the Long Range gets a bigger 78kWh battery. The big difference between the two is, as the names suggest, how far you can travel between charges.

advertisment

scroll for more

All the latest deals, offers and much more from the What Car? team. Don't miss out.

See our full privacy notice for more details.

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

The Standard Range can officially manage 270 miles, which is farther than the R4 (250 miles), while the Long Range can do up to 375 miles (depending on trim level). That beats the Hyundai Kona Electric (319 miles), Mini Aceman (251 miles), Smart #3 (283 miles) and Volvo EX30 (295 miles).

As with other electric cars, the EV3's official WLTP range is hard to match in real-world driving. Our tests suggest around 190 miles for the Standard Range Air, while the Long Range GT-Line S managed around 260 miles. Of course, those numbers will vary depending on the weather and the types of road you're driving on.

The EV3's maximum charging speed depends on which battery you go for. The Standard Range can charge at speeds of up to 100kW, matching the Hyundai Kona Electric, so in ideal conditions you'll be waiting around half an hour for a 10-80% charge. The EV3 Long Range can charge at up to 135kW but, because it has a bigger battery to fill, a 10-80% charge will actually take a couple of minutes longer.

“I liked the EV3's one-pedal driving mode – particularly around town, where I found it made life easier.” – Doug Revolta, Head of Video

advertisment

scroll for more

Tips & Advice

Charging an EV at home

You can charge your EV from a three-pin socket, but a home EV charger is faster and more convenient. Here are the best

Do I need to use public EV chargers?

Charging at home is almost always cheaper, but if you need a quick top-up, we have revealed the best charging networks

Interior

The interior layout, fit and finish

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Claire Evans driving the Kia EV3

Strengths

Weaknesses

What does the interior look like and is it well made?

As with its exterior, the Kia EV3’s interior takes inspiration from the larger Kia EV9. In fact, both cars have the same arrangement of screens on their dashboards.

That means there's a 12.3in digital driver's display behind the steering wheel, adjacent to a 5.3in climate-control touchscreen and a 12.3in infotainment touchscreen (more on those two later).

advertisment

scroll for more

If you’ve read our Kia EV9 review, you’ll know we weren’t overly impressed with its interior quality, and things are no better here. However, with the EV3 costing almost half as much as its larger sibling, its interior quality stacks up well against similar-priced small electric SUVs.

Harder plastics are used in places, but they feel robust, and GT-Line and GT-Line S models add fabric inserts on the dashboard and door trims for a more luxurious feel.


Is the driving position comfortable and is it easy to see out?

The EV3's driving position places you higher up than most rivals', including the Hyundai Kona Electric and Smart #3 (and even the larger Renault Scenic and Skoda Elroq). It’s certainly enough to remind you that you’re driving an SUV rather than a hatchback.

Better still, the EV3's driver’s seat and steering wheel offer plenty of adjustment. Our only minor grumble is that entry-level Air models miss out on adjustable lumbar support – although lower back support is adequate without this.

advertisment

scroll for more

None of our testers had any issues seeing the digital driver display directly behind the steering wheel, but the smaller climate control panel to the right of this is largely blocked by the steering wheel. It's exactly the same problem that blights the EV9.

The EV3's elevated driving position gives you a good view of the road ahead and diagonally at junctions – although the wide rear window pillars mean the view out to the back is slightly restricted. Still, it’s no worse than in a Kona Electric or #3, and every EV3 comes with front and rear parking sensors and a rear-view camera as standard. Range-topping GT-Line S trim adds a 360-degree camera to make parking even easier.


Is the dashboard and infotainment system easy to use?

We moaned about the small climate touchscreen being largely obscured by the steering wheel but, thankfully, there are physical buttons on the dashboard for tweaking the interior temperature and fan speed. This gives the EV3 a clear advantage over rivals such as the Skoda Elroq and Volvo EX30, in which climate controls are accessed exclusively using the touchscreen or voice commands.

advertisment

scroll for more

The touchscreen has ChatGPT AI (artificial intelligence) voice control, allowing you to plan journeys, search for your favourite band, or even get restaurant recommendations in a more natural way than older voice assistant systems could manage. It's far from perfect, though – and sometimes leaves you thinking 'why did I bother trying to use it in the first place.'

The EV3's infotainment touchscreen isn’t the largest or flashiest in its class, but it features sharp graphics and an intuitive layout. It’s also quicker to respond to prods than the system in the Elroq and far more user-friendly than the infotainment system in a Mini Aceman. Even so, the Google-based system in the Renault 4 is better still and one of the best in the class.

Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come as standard across the range, but you'll need to go for at least GT-Line trim if you want a wireless phone charging pad. Meanwhile, range-topping GT-Line S trim brings an upgraded eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

advertisment

scroll for more

“The interior of Air models is attractive enough, but I think the GT-Line version, with its fabric-wrapped dashboard, feels noticeably more upmarket.” – Steve Huntingford, Editor

Tips & Advice

Which smartphone integration should I have?

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fantastic – and free – technologies. Here we show you the benefits, drawbacks and best apps

Passenger & boot space

How it copes with people and clutter

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red

Kia EV3 boot

Strengths

Weaknesses

How much space does it have for people?

Two six-footers will have no trouble fitting into the front of the Kia EV3, because there's plenty of head and leg room on offer. What's more, the interior is pretty wide, so even a pair of broad adults won’t find their shoulders close to rubbing.

advertisment

scroll for more

The front door bins aren't huge, but the various trays, cupholders and partitioned sections in the centre console largely make up for that. You also get some handy storage under the central armrest.

In the back seats, there's more space than there is in a Mini Aceman, Renault 4 or Volvo EX30. As a result, two six-footers will fit just fine, with plenty of knee room and enough head room. If you need even more rear space, it's worth looking at the Renault Scenic or Skoda Elroq from the class above.

You get rear door bins that’ll take a bottle of water, and some USB-C sockets that are usefully positioned on the backs of the front seats – ideal for rear passengers wanting to keep their devices topped up.

The rear seats in the EV3 don’t do anything clever, such as sliding back and forth (as they do in the Smart #1). They simply fold down in a 60/40 split, and the sections lie flat, which is par for the course among small electric SUVs. The larger Scenic gets a more practical 40/20/40 split seat for extra flexibility.

advertisment

scroll for more


How much room does it have for luggage?

The EV3 has a 460-litre boot. That means there's far more space for luggage than there is in a Jeep Avenger Electric, Aceman, or both the Smart #1 and Smart #3. The Leapmotor B10 provides a slightly smaller 430-litre boot, while the EV3's space is roughly the same size as a Hyundai Kona Electric's. We managed to fit six carry-on suitcases below the load cover, matching the Kona Electric's tally, but two cases fewer than the larger Elroq managed (providing it has the Transport Package equipped).

All EV3s have a height-adjustable boot floor, plus 25 litres of extra storage under the bonnet, which is a handy spot for stowing the charging cable. When you consider the entry-level #1 and mid-spec Kona Electric both get a powered tailgate as standard, it's a shame you need to go for the range-topping GT-Line S to get one in the EV3.

“Because the EV3 was built from the ground up as an electric vehicle, it has a flat floor in the rear, which I found gave me more room for my feet when travelling three-up in the back.” – Dan Jones, Senior Reviewer

Buying & owning

Everyday costs, plus how reliable and safe it is

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red

Kia EV3 touchscreen

Strengths

Weaknesses

How much does it cost and what equipment do you get?

If you’re buying the Kia EV3 with cash, it’ll set you back a fair bit more than even the top-spec Renault 4. In fact, it’ll also cost you more than a Jeep Avenger Electric or Mini Aceman. Its list price is roughly on a par with the Volvo EX30 – but it still represents good value for money when you factor in its range and how much standard equipment you get.

advertisment

scroll for more

Indeed, even if you go for entry-level Air trim, you get heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, automatic LED headlights, automatic air conditioning, keyless entry and start and adaptive cruise control. Plus, you can have Air trim with either battery size, whereas GT-Line and GT-Line S are available exclusively in combination with the Long Range battery.

Ways to buy

Cash from £31,495 Own the car outright. No monthly payments.

Lease from £318pm Drive a new car every few years. Lower upfront costs.

£3,821 initial payment , 48 month contract , 6000 miles p/a . Subject to status and conditions.

Available Now from £31,495 Choose a car from stock. Drive away today!

GT-Line brings larger 19in alloy wheels, sportier styling, wireless phone-charging and rear privacy glass. Meanwhile, range-topping GT-Line S adds the upgraded eight-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a head-up display, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats and a powered tailgate. It's too pricey for us to recommend, though.

At the time of writing, PCP finance deals on the EV3 were competitive, costing less than both the Renault Scenic and Skoda Elroq per month. Those costs are in the same ballpark as the Leapmotor B10, which is available on Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) for £329 per month at 0% APR with a £999 deposit.

Like all electric cars, the EV3 is a seriously tempting company car proposition thanks to much lower BIK tax rates than on any petrol, diesel or even plug-in hybrid alternatives.

advertisment

scroll for more


Is it reliable, and how long is the warranty?

Good news: the Kia EV3 was rated as the most reliable electric SUV in the most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, while Kia as a whole finished eighth (out of 30 brands) in the overall manufacture league table.

Better still, Kia EV3 is backed up by a seven-year (100,000-mile) warranty on most components, with extended eight-year cover for the battery (also capped at 100,000 miles).


How safe is it, and is it easy to steal?

The EV3 achieved the full five-star safety rating after it was crash-tested by safety experts Euro NCAP. Every version comes with lots of airbags, lane-keeping assistance, blind-spot collision avoidance, a driver attention monitoring system and automatic emergency braking (AEB). The AEB system can detect both pedestrians and cyclists, and also looks out for vehicles at junctions.

Top-Spec GT-Line S adds more safety equipment, including blind-spot monitoring cameras and parking collision avoidance. To help guard against thieves, all versions of the EV3 come with a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser.

advertisment

scroll for more

"I suspect some customers will be disappointed that Kia doesn't fit a heat pump as standard to improve efficiency in cold weather. You can have one, but you'll need to go for range-topping GT-Line S trim and then pay extra." – Will Nightingale, Reviews Editor


Buy it if...

- You need a small electric SUV that's big on interior space

- You want to feel as though you're sitting in something taller than a regular hatchback

- You like a long warranty

Don’t buy it if…

- You want the cheapest electric SUV around

- You want a car that's fun to drive

-You want a really premium-feeling interior


For all the latest reviews, advice and new car deals, sign up to the What Car? newsletter here

Tips & Advice

How much does it cost to charge an EV

A dual-rate tariff can slash your home-charging bills by up to 70% if you charge overnight. There are environmental benefits, too

Organise your motoring life

Whether you need to keep tabs on your insurance renewal, sort breakdown cover, or book a service, My What Car? has you covered

Never miss a motoring date

Remembering to arrange insurance, book a service or buy breakdown cover can be a pain. Fortunately, My What Car? is here to help

Can I buy a car with cash?

Paying cash isn’t always an easy way to a new car – and you may not be able to get the big discounts you might expect

How to lease a car

Car leasing is like long-term rental, and can be an affordable route to a new car. When the deal ends, you hand the car back

Protect your investment

GAP insurance allows you to get the full price for your car if it’s stolen or written off, but only a quarter of Brits buy it

Reduce your car finance bills

Refinancing your car effectively means taking out one loan to pay off another, which could help reduce your monthly payments, or reduce your finance term

What is hire purchase?

Hire purchase allows you to make monthly payments to buy your next car – although these will be higher than with a PCP

What is PCP finance?

Low monthly payments are key to the appeal of Personal Contract Purchase (PCP) agreements. But are there downsides?

Similarly priced cars

Volvo EX30 front cornering

Volvo EX30

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Kia PV5 driving

Kia PV5 Cargo

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red

Kia PV5 driving

Kia PV5

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red

Renault Megane E-Tech front left driving

Renault Megane

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Nissan Leaf driving front right

Nissan Leaf

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Peugeot e-Rifter 2022 front cornering

Peugeot e-Rifter

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Vauxhall Combo-e Life 2022 front cornering

Vauxhall Combo Life Electric

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Smart #3 front cornering

Smart #3

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Alpine A290 front driving

Alpine A290

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

Citroën ë-C5 Aircross driving

Citroën ë-C5 Aircross

Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Red Star Rating Grey

If you're interested in finding a Kia EV3, or any of the other electric cars mentioned here, head over to our Cars available now pages to find new cars listed for sale at great prices.

Kia EV3 specifications

Best buy

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

RRP £33,055

RRP price range

£33,055 - £43,055

Battery range (miles)

270 - 375

Available fuel types (which is best for you? )

Electric

Available colours

Number of engines (see all)

2

Number of trims (see all)

3

Warranty

7 years / 100,000 miles

Company car tax at 20% (min/max)

£264 - £344

Company car tax at 40% (min/max)

£528 - £688

FAQs

Is the Kia EV3 bigger than an EV6?

No – the EV6 is the larger car. The EV3 is 4310mm long, 1570mm tall and 1850mm wide (excluding the door mirrors).

Does the Kia EV3 have a heat pump?

Yes – but it's an option and one that's available only on range-topping GT-Line S trim. Although the fully electric Leapmotor B10 features a heat pump as standard to protect its winter range, EV3 buyers must pay extra, meaning cheaper versions of the Kia miss out on this efficiency-boosting kit.

What is the range of the Kia EV3?

It depends which battery you go for. The Standard Range can officially manage 270 miles on a charge, while the Long Range (which has a larger battery) can do up to 375 miles, depending on trim level.

How much will a Kia EV3 cost?

As a cash purchase, the EV3 Air will cost you slightly more than its rivals, no matter whether you go for the small or large battery. PCP finance is generally more competitive, though. Either way, you'll be spending lots if you want the range-topping Long Range GT-Line S with a heat pump.

New car deals

Best price from £31,495

A circular icon with a £ sign at the centre.

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £31,495

RRP from: £33,055

Available now

From £31,495

Leasing deals

From £318

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Kia EV3

Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £318.41 Initial payment £3,820.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

£3,821 initial payment, 48 month contract, 6000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

Kia EV3s available to buy

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,705

£31,495

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,055

£32,694

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,055

£32,695

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,055

£32,755

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,705

£32,789

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,655

£32,995

Kia EV3 81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

RRP £40,105

£33,355

Kia EV3 81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

RRP £40,105

£33,355

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

£33,363

See all available cars

About the writer

Will Nightingale

Name: Will Nightingale

Title: Reviews editor

Follow Will Nightingale on

Will Nightingale has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years. He is currently reviews editor at What Car?, and held the same role at Autocar (a sister Haymarket brand) between 2015 and 2018.

More Kia EV3

Used reviews

Reliability

Category rankings

Similar car reviews

Comparison tests

Kia EV3 following Nissan Leaf fronts

New Nissan Leaf vs Kia EV3

To say that the original Nissan Leaf made an impact is an understatement, and now it's time for the reimagined third-generation model to make its mark

Kia EV3 vs Skoda Elroq vs Renault Scenic fronts

New Kia EV3 vs new Skoda Elroq vs Renault Scenic

A new generation of family-friendly electric SUVs with lengthy official ranges and keen pricing has arrived. Let’s find out which of them is best prepared to meet your needs

Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 fronts

Can you really live with a cheap electric car?

The Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 are the cheapest electric cars you can buy. But which is better and would you want to own either of them?

New BYD Dolphin and Citroen e-C3 vs MG 4 fronts

New BYD Dolphin and Citroën e-C3 vs MG 4

Think electric cars are all too expensive? Well, these three prove otherwise, and we took them on a road trip to find out which is best

See all comparisons

News and advice

News

Kia EV3 GT static

New Kia EV3 GT offers 288bhp and virtual gear shifts for £48k

Kia’s excellent hatchback has gained an extra motor and all-wheel drive to go up against the Skoda Elroq vRS and the Smart #1 Brabus

Thu Oct 1 2026

Best of

Best small SUVs 2026

Best small SUVs 2026 and the one to avoid – tried and tested

Thinking of buying a new small SUV? Then make sure you read our rundown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector – plus, find out which one we'd avoid

Thu Oct 1 2026

News

Renault 4 driving front left

Deal of the Day: Lease a Renault 4 from £216 per month

The Renault 4 is a fantastic electric SUV, and it’s keenly priced on a lease deal. Here's all you need to know, including how much you'll pay up front

Mon Sep 28 2026

Best of

Best small electric SUVs 2025

Best small electric SUVs 2026 – the practical EVs to keep your family moving

There are plenty of small electric SUVs to choose from, but the gap between the best and worst models is large indeed – which models should be on your shortlist, then, and which should you avoid?

Sun Sep 20 2026

See all latest advice

All Electric car reviews

Abarth 500

Abarth 600e

Aion UT

Aion V

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica

Alpine A290

Alpine A390

Audi A2 e-tron

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

Audi A6 e-tron

Audi Q4 e-tron

Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback

Audi Q8 e-tron

Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron

Audi S6 e-tron

BMW i5

BMW i5 Touring

BMW i7

BMW iX

BMW iX1

BMW iX2

BMW iX3

BYD Atto 2

BYD Atto 3 Evo

BYD Dolphin

BYD Dolphin Surf

BYD Seal

BYD Sealion 7

Citroën Ami

Citroën ë-Berlingo

Citroën ë-C3

Citroën ë-C3 Aircross

Citroën ë-C3 Van

Citroën ë-C4

Cupra Born

Cupra Raval

Cupra Tavascan

Dacia Spring

DS 3 E-Tense

DS No 4 E-Tense

DS No 8

DS No7

Fiat 500e

Fiat 600e

Fiat Grande Panda Electric

Ford Capri

Ford Explorer

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford Puma Gen-E

Geely EX2

Geely EX5

Genesis Electrified G80

Genesis Electrified GV70

Genesis GV60

GWM Ora 03

Honda E

Honda e:Ny1

Honda Super-N

Hyundai Inster

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

Hyundai Ioniq 9

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai Nexo

Isuzu D-Max EV

Jaecoo E5

Jeep Avenger Electric

KGM Musso EV

KGM Torres EVX

Kia EV2

Kia EV3

Kia EV4

Kia EV6

Kia EV9

Kia Niro EV

Kia PV5

Kia Soul EV

Leapmotor B03X

Leapmotor B05

Leapmotor B10

Leapmotor C10

Leapmotor T03

Lexus ES

Lexus RZ

Lexus UX 300e

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Emeya

Maxus Mifa 9

Maxus T90EV

Mazda 6e

Mazda CX-6e

Mazda MX-30 EV

Mercedes C-Class Electric

Mercedes EQA

Mercedes EQB

Mercedes EQE

Mercedes EQE SUV

Mercedes EQS

Mercedes EQS SUV

Mercedes EQV

Mercedes VLE

MG Cyberster

MG IM5

MG IM6

MG S5 EV

MG S6

MG ZS EV

MG4

MG4 Urban

Mini Aceman

Mini Cooper Electric

Mini Countryman Electric

New BMW i4

New Citroën ë-C4 X

New Kia EV6 GT

New Mercedes CLA

New Toyota Urban Cruiser

Nissan Ariya

Nissan Leaf

Omoda E5

Peugeot e-2008

Peugeot e-208

Peugeot e-208 GTi

Peugeot e-3008

Peugeot e-308

Peugeot e-408

Peugeot e-5008

Polestar 2

Polestar 3

Polestar 4

Polestar 5

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric

Porsche Cayenne Electric

Porsche Macan Electric

Porsche Taycan

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo

Range Rover Electric

Renault 4

Renault 5

Renault Megane

Renault Scenic

Rolls-Royce Spectre

Skoda Elroq

Skoda Elroq vRS

Skoda Enyaq

Skoda Enyaq Coupé

Skoda Enyaq vRS

Skoda Epiq

Skywell BE11

Smart #1

Smart #3

Smart #5

Subaru Solterra

Suzuki e-Vitara

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model S

Tesla Model Y

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota bZ4X Touring

Toyota C-HR+

Toyota Mirai

Vauxhall Astra Electric

Vauxhall Combo Life Electric

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

Vauxhall Corsa GSE

Vauxhall Frontera Electric

Vauxhall Grandland Electric

Vauxhall Mokka Electric

Volkswagen ID 3

Volkswagen ID 4

Volkswagen ID 5

Volkswagen ID 7

Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer

Volkswagen ID Buzz

Volvo EC40

Volvo ES90

Volvo EX30

Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Volvo EX40

Volvo EX90

XPeng G6

Show more


Kia EV3 specifications

Best buy

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

Standard Range 58.3kWh Air SUV 5dr Electric Auto (201 bhp) review

RRP £33,055

RRP price range

£33,055 - £43,055

Battery range (miles)

270 - 375

Available fuel types (which is best for you? )

Electric

Available colours

Number of engines (see all)

2

Number of trims (see all)

3

Warranty

7 years / 100,000 miles

Company car tax at 20% (min/max)

£264 - £344

Company car tax at 40% (min/max)

£528 - £688

FAQs

Is the Kia EV3 bigger than an EV6?

No – the EV6 is the larger car. The EV3 is 4310mm long, 1570mm tall and 1850mm wide (excluding the door mirrors).

Does the Kia EV3 have a heat pump?

Yes – but it's an option and one that's available only on range-topping GT-Line S trim. Although the fully electric Leapmotor B10 features a heat pump as standard to protect its winter range, EV3 buyers must pay extra, meaning cheaper versions of the Kia miss out on this efficiency-boosting kit.

What is the range of the Kia EV3?

It depends which battery you go for. The Standard Range can officially manage 270 miles on a charge, while the Long Range (which has a larger battery) can do up to 375 miles, depending on trim level.

How much will a Kia EV3 cost?

As a cash purchase, the EV3 Air will cost you slightly more than its rivals, no matter whether you go for the small or large battery. PCP finance is generally more competitive, though. Either way, you'll be spending lots if you want the range-topping Long Range GT-Line S with a heat pump.

New car deals

Best price from £31,495

A circular icon with a £ sign at the centre.

What is What Car? best price?

The What Car? best price shows you the cheapest way to buy your new car, whether it's by choosing an in-stock car through our partner Autotrader or placing a factory order.

Available now from: £31,495

RRP from: £33,055

Available now

From £31,495

Leasing deals

From £318

About our price indicator

What Car? indicative Personal lease example (subject to status)

Kia EV3

Expected annual mileage 6000 Term months 48 Deposit months 12 Monthly payment £318.41 Initial payment £3,820.92

Step-by-step

Leasing works a bit like a long-term rental. You drive it, but you don’t own it.

What you get

When you lease with Autotrader you get all of this:

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

£3,821 initial payment, 48 month contract, 6000 miles p/a. Subject to status and conditions.

Kia EV3s available to buy

In partnership with

AutoTrader logo

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,705

£31,495

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,055

£32,694

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,055

£32,695

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,055

£32,755

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,705

£32,789

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

RRP £36,655

£32,995

Kia EV3 81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

RRP £40,105

£33,355

Kia EV3 81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh GT-Line Auto 5dr

RRP £40,105

£33,355

Kia EV3 81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

Kia EV3

81.4kWh Air Auto 5dr

£33,363

See all available cars

About the writer

Will Nightingale

Name: Will Nightingale

Title: Reviews editor

Follow Will Nightingale on

Will Nightingale has been a motoring journalist for more than 15 years. He is currently reviews editor at What Car?, and held the same role at Autocar (a sister Haymarket brand) between 2015 and 2018.

More Kia EV3

Used reviews

Reliability

Category rankings

Similar car reviews

Comparison tests

Kia EV3 following Nissan Leaf fronts

New Nissan Leaf vs Kia EV3

To say that the original Nissan Leaf made an impact is an understatement, and now it's time for the reimagined third-generation model to make its mark

Kia EV3 vs Skoda Elroq vs Renault Scenic fronts

New Kia EV3 vs new Skoda Elroq vs Renault Scenic

A new generation of family-friendly electric SUVs with lengthy official ranges and keen pricing has arrived. Let’s find out which of them is best prepared to meet your needs

Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 fronts

Can you really live with a cheap electric car?

The Dacia Spring and Leapmotor T03 are the cheapest electric cars you can buy. But which is better and would you want to own either of them?

New BYD Dolphin and Citroen e-C3 vs MG 4 fronts

New BYD Dolphin and Citroën e-C3 vs MG 4

Think electric cars are all too expensive? Well, these three prove otherwise, and we took them on a road trip to find out which is best

See all comparisons

News and advice

News

Kia EV3 GT static

New Kia EV3 GT offers 288bhp and virtual gear shifts for £48k

Kia’s excellent hatchback has gained an extra motor and all-wheel drive to go up against the Skoda Elroq vRS and the Smart #1 Brabus

Thu Oct 1 2026

Best of

Best small SUVs 2026

Best small SUVs 2026 and the one to avoid – tried and tested

Thinking of buying a new small SUV? Then make sure you read our rundown of the top 10 cars in this booming sector – plus, find out which one we'd avoid

Thu Oct 1 2026

News

Renault 4 driving front left

Deal of the Day: Lease a Renault 4 from £216 per month

The Renault 4 is a fantastic electric SUV, and it’s keenly priced on a lease deal. Here's all you need to know, including how much you'll pay up front

Mon Sep 28 2026

Best of

Best small electric SUVs 2025

Best small electric SUVs 2026 – the practical EVs to keep your family moving

There are plenty of small electric SUVs to choose from, but the gap between the best and worst models is large indeed – which models should be on your shortlist, then, and which should you avoid?

Sun Sep 20 2026

See all latest advice

All Electric car reviews

Abarth 500

Abarth 600e

Aion UT

Aion V

Alfa Romeo Junior Elettrica

Alpine A290

Alpine A390

Audi A2 e-tron

Audi A6 Avant e-tron

Audi A6 e-tron

Audi Q4 e-tron

Audi Q6 e-tron

Audi Q6 e-tron Sportback

Audi Q8 e-tron

Audi Q8 Sportback e-tron

Audi S6 e-tron

BMW i5

BMW i5 Touring

BMW i7

BMW iX

BMW iX1

BMW iX2

BMW iX3

BYD Atto 2

BYD Atto 3 Evo

BYD Dolphin

BYD Dolphin Surf

BYD Seal

BYD Sealion 7

Citroën Ami

Citroën ë-Berlingo

Citroën ë-C3

Citroën ë-C3 Aircross

Citroën ë-C3 Van

Citroën ë-C4

Cupra Born

Cupra Raval

Cupra Tavascan

Dacia Spring

DS 3 E-Tense

DS No 4 E-Tense

DS No 8

DS No7

Fiat 500e

Fiat 600e

Fiat Grande Panda Electric

Ford Capri

Ford Explorer

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford Puma Gen-E

Geely EX2

Geely EX5

Genesis Electrified G80

Genesis Electrified GV70

Genesis GV60

GWM Ora 03

Honda E

Honda e:Ny1

Honda Super-N

Hyundai Inster

Hyundai Ioniq 5

Hyundai Ioniq 5 N

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai Ioniq 6 N

Hyundai Ioniq 9

Hyundai Kona Electric

Hyundai Nexo

Isuzu D-Max EV

Jaecoo E5

Jeep Avenger Electric

KGM Musso EV

KGM Torres EVX

Kia EV2

Kia EV3

Kia EV4

Kia EV6

Kia EV9

Kia Niro EV

Kia PV5

Kia Soul EV

Leapmotor B03X

Leapmotor B05

Leapmotor B10

Leapmotor C10

Leapmotor T03

Lexus ES

Lexus RZ

Lexus UX 300e

Lotus Eletre

Lotus Emeya

Maxus Mifa 9

Maxus T90EV

Mazda 6e

Mazda CX-6e

Mazda MX-30 EV

Mercedes C-Class Electric

Mercedes EQA

Mercedes EQB

Mercedes EQE

Mercedes EQE SUV

Mercedes EQS

Mercedes EQS SUV

Mercedes EQV

Mercedes VLE

MG Cyberster

MG IM5

MG IM6

MG S5 EV

MG S6

MG ZS EV

MG4

MG4 Urban

Mini Aceman

Mini Cooper Electric

Mini Countryman Electric

New BMW i4

New Citroën ë-C4 X

New Kia EV6 GT

New Mercedes CLA

New Toyota Urban Cruiser

Nissan Ariya

Nissan Leaf

Omoda E5

Peugeot e-2008

Peugeot e-208

Peugeot e-208 GTi

Peugeot e-3008

Peugeot e-308

Peugeot e-408

Peugeot e-5008

Polestar 2

Polestar 3

Polestar 4

Polestar 5

Porsche Cayenne Coupé Electric

Porsche Cayenne Electric

Porsche Macan Electric

Porsche Taycan

Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo

Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo

Range Rover Electric

Renault 4

Renault 5

Renault Megane

Renault Scenic

Rolls-Royce Spectre

Skoda Elroq

Skoda Elroq vRS

Skoda Enyaq

Skoda Enyaq Coupé

Skoda Enyaq vRS

Skoda Epiq

Skywell BE11

Smart #1

Smart #3

Smart #5

Subaru Solterra

Suzuki e-Vitara

Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model S

Tesla Model Y

Toyota bZ4X

Toyota bZ4X Touring

Toyota C-HR+

Toyota Mirai

Vauxhall Astra Electric

Vauxhall Combo Life Electric

Vauxhall Corsa Electric

Vauxhall Corsa GSE

Vauxhall Frontera Electric

Vauxhall Grandland Electric

Vauxhall Mokka Electric

Volkswagen ID 3

Volkswagen ID 4

Volkswagen ID 5

Volkswagen ID 7

Volkswagen ID 7 Tourer

Volkswagen ID Buzz

Volvo EC40

Volvo ES90

Volvo EX30

Volvo EX30 Cross Country

Volvo EX40

Volvo EX90

XPeng G6

Show more