I've driven the Kia EV3 and it's one of the best electric vehicles for most people right now

Despite the relatively lethargic rise of electric vehicles, the Kia EV6 is often considered one of the leading figures in the industry. With solid electric range, radical styling and plentiful technology in the car, it kicked off Kia’s recent journey towards an all-electric offering.

Last year we were promised a whole range ranging from EV2 to EV9, but so far we’ve only seen the latter. An impressively large seven-seat SUV that beat Volvo and Range Rover at its own game, the EV9 is also the most expensive car Kia has ever produced and well out of reach of many normal, hard-working people.

Many buyers have been clamoring for a smaller, more affordable option for months and the EV3, which starts at £32,995 in Britain (about $35,000 when it eventually goes on sale in the US in 2026) answers that call with confidence.

Kia EV3 first drives in Seoul — (Image credit: Kia)

Riding on the same platform as the EV6 and that of its sister company Hyundai Ioniq 5but with a 58.3 kWh battery pack or the larger 81.4 kWh battery packs, the EV3 is almost 400 mm shorter than the recently updated EV6. But you wouldn’t know it.

Decked out in a sharp white and black hue, the test car I drove through the busy streets of Seoul had more than a hint of Stormtrooper.

While some families might find the EV6 a bit claustrophobic inside, with the sloping roofline hindering taller drivers and occupants, the EV3 is downright cavernous. It’s also dripping with technology, offering some of the best efficiency of any electric vehicle currently on sale and impressing with its relaxed, easy-to-live demeanor.

The electric vehicle market is desperate for that ‘catch-all’ car that could one day achieve the fame of Volkswagen’s Golf and Ford’s best-selling Fiesta in Europe, or that of Honda’s CR-V and Toyota’s Rav 4 in North -America. The EV3 could well be that That auto.

A stylish SUV

Kia EV3 first drives in Seoul

(Image credit: Future)

Karim Habib, Head of Global Design at Kia, has helped the brand move into more luxurious territory with his team’s approach to exterior styling. Love it or hate it, the EV6 turned heads when it first arrived on the scene and the massive EV9 cuts an imposing figure on the road today.

The EV3 is essentially a shrunken version of its larger SUV brother, but it has a feature all its own. Despite being smaller than the EV6, it still feels like a big car, with enough futuristic design touches (check out the front and rear light signatures and the squared-off wheel arches) to make pedestrians do a double take.

Decked out in a sharp white and black hue, the test car I drove through the busy streets of Seoul had more than a hint of Stormtrooper, with its sharp exterior lines helping it stand out among a crowd of surging South Korean sedans.

Kia EV3 first drives in Seoul

(Image credit: Kia)

Inside, there’s clever use of fabric (made from recycled plastic) covering most of the dashboard, while the central, retractable wood-effect arm rest acts as a place to put a laptop (so you can work while you’re charging) or a taco tray (so you can eat while you’re charging).

There’s plenty of head and leg room for everyone, the trunk or boot is huge, and there’s extra storage in the ‘frunk’. In fact, the seats are extremely comfortable, with adjustable and cushioned headrests pinched from the EV9 that beat most cushions in terms of softness.

Unlike the EV6, which can feel a little gloomy inside, the EV3 is light, airy and inviting, making it ideal for those with young children. It’s easy to spin around in the front seats and talk to the people in the back seat. A full-length panoramic sunroof would improve the airiness even further, but it’s a nice place to be.

Screen time

Kia EV3 infotainment

(Image credit: Kia)

Kia isn’t shy about the technology it offers as standard on the EV3, with the infotainment system consisting of two 12.3-inch screens and a smaller 5.3-inch panel in between that handles the air conditioning.

It’s all very clever stuff that’s largely very simple to use, while retaining the physical buttons so that poking at the screen is kept to a minimum.

It’s a massive digital offering, although the climate control panel is annoyingly just behind the steering wheel, making it difficult to see and use. Spend a little extra and the cars come with a bright head-up display, while the constantly connected nature of the vehicle results in smart maps and routes, as well as a range of downloadable apps, such as YouTube.

There’s also the full range of Hyundai’s latest digital assistant, which uses generative AI to communicate and answer questions in natural language. It can control most of the vehicle’s functionality, but is also open to broader questions and queries. It works well.

Even the interior lighting is smart, with the ability to change the hue to suit the mood. During the test drive, I noticed it flashing red when it detected I was driving above the speed limit (sorry, cop).

Kia EV3 first drives in Seoul

(Image credit: Kia)

The smart adaptive cruise control is intuitive and very easy to use, even automatically adjusting your speed when it detects medium-speed sections of road and can change lanes autonomously with a movement of the turn signal lever.

It’s all very clever stuff that’s largely very simple to use, while retaining the physical buttons so that poking at the screen is kept to a minimum. Most of all, the technology (and the interior as a whole) feels approachable and not as noisy as other brands. Kia wanted to create a luxurious interior atmosphere and it paid off.

The front seats even feature a fully adjustable one-button position to help capture some energy while charging. You can’t get more relaxed and homely than that.

A premium EV experience

Kia EV3 first drives in Seoul

(Image credit: Kia)

The EV3 will not surprise you with its driving performance, but that is not the intention. The 150 kW/204 hp engine found across the range is capable of propelling the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 7.5 seconds, which is more than sufficient for most EVs, but tame in comparison with other EVs.

Likewise, the steering is light and easy to use around town and the driving dynamics lend themselves to everyday use, rather than country road thrills. Perhaps more importantly, the 600 km electric range in the larger battery option (430 km in the 58 kWh variant) is good enough for long road trips.

The maximum charging speed is 128 kW for the larger battery, meaning a 20-80 percent charge via a fast charger takes about 30 minutes. That is slightly less than the competition, but still fast enough to enable long distances.

The Hyundai Motor Group generally has some of the most efficient electric cars on sale today and the Kia EV3 is no different. The range offered by the infotainment system is near perfect and the built-in routing will help by providing the availability of live charging and route options that include the required charging stops.

Kia EV3 first drives in Seoul

(Image credit: Kia)

Granted, the EV3 isn’t the ultra-affordable compact car that some sectors of the buying public are asking for, but it’s not designed to meet that brief. Hyundai has the Inster to fill that gap and Kia has promised its smallest and most affordable car: the EV2, due in 2026.

Instead, the EV3 is a great middle ground, offering plenty of space and loads of tech, while significantly undercutting a Kia EV6 with similar power and range.

It’s excellent and Kia has seemingly done it again with another successful EV. It makes you wonder if it’s worth spending more on the EV5, which is on sale in Australia now but will go on sale elsewhere next year.