If you thought the upcoming Kia EV5 was going to be a mass-market hit, wait until you see the latest addition to the range. It’s called the EV3, and we’re talking about an electric vehicle that’s even shorter than the Seltos, but one that’s smart enough to use its flexible architecture to extract maximum space on the inside of the cabin. Like its larger siblings, it’s based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) and has a length of 4300mm along with a width of 1850mm. However, the EV3 is front-wheel drive with a focus on maximising space.
“The EV3 embodies our design philosophy perfectly – a combination of playful design combined with thoughtful functionality,” commented Karim Habib, Executive Vice President and Head of Kia Global Design. “Though compact, the inspiring exterior envelops an open interior space that emphasises restorative relaxation for every journey. Its future-facing aesthetic is further emboldened by the choice of daring colours; inside, the spacious cabin and the incorporation of new organic materials express a youthful sense of energy and playfulness.”
Decked out with vertical LED DRLs, the EV3 has the latest iteration of the Tiger Nose grille with the latest Star Map signature lighting concept. Other design elements include a hatchback-style tailgate, black trim across the C-Pillar, and a ‘geometric’ rear lamp design. The GT-Line version, meanwhile, offers a slightly sportier look. Amongst the nine colours on offer, two are new: Aventurine Green and Terracotta.
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Step inside and the airy cabin comes with an almost 30-inch combined widescreen display – including a 12.3-inch driver cluster, a 5-inch air-conditioning panel, and another 12.3-inch AVN display. The screen also extends to the centre of the dashboard which gives the front-seat passenger access to the climate control and entertainment functions.
Like most modern cars, the number of physical buttons has been reduced, but you do get a row of them below the central screen, which controls functions like mapping, media, and vehicle system configuration.
Interior colour options include subtle Grey, Warm Grey and Blue, while Onyx Black is only available on the ‘GT-line’ trim. Sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and plastics are also scattered across the cabin. When parked, the seats have a fold-back relaxation mode along with a sliding table. Despite its compact dimensions, there is a large 460-litre boot space plus another 25 litres added due to a frunk.
Elsewhere, the EV3 offers streaming services and in-car gaming plus it is the first Kia EV to get its new AI assistant.
Power figures have understandably been toned down, but the EV3 is no slouch. The Standard model comes with a 58.3kWh battery, while the EV3 Long Range variant has a larger 81.4kWh battery pack. Both variants have a healthy power output of 150kW/283Nm, which means a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 7.5 seconds. Maximum speed is capped at 170km/h.
The Long-Range version has a handy claimed range figure of 600km (WLTP). Charging will not be as quick as the larger Kia EVs since it does not get the 800-volt charging architecture, but a 10-80 per cent charge time of 31 minutes is not slow at all.
“The Kia EV3 has been designed and engineered to meet the needs of customers who want a car that matches their sustainability values but do not want to compromise their practical everyday needs. It provides one of the best living and luggage sizes in its class, while our flexible E-GMP architecture delivers a best-in-class AER driving range. With the EV3, Kia has redefined the EV SUV segment to create a compact model that is comprehensively equipped with innovative technology and features,” said Spencer Cho, Vice President and Head of Global Business Planning.
We expect the entry-level model to start below AUD$50,000 while the car-maker has hinted that the top-end models would be within the AUD$75,000 range. Set to rival the likes of the BYD Atto 3 and Hyundai Kona electric, the smallest Kia EV will roll into showrooms by next year.
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