Kia EV3

Kia wants every model to have its own character, albeit within the brand's style. Kia's style is called "Opposites Unite" to indicate that it wants to combine opposites. That applies quite literally to this mid-size SUV, as such cars need to have an adventurous look and that often comes from a tall build, tough nose and large ground clearance. However, to make a car efficient, streamline is important and that is at odds with the above. To solve this, Kia has cleverly used folds in the sheet metal, making surfaces appear larger or smaller than they appear. The many black contrasts accentuate parts and cleverly chosen asymmetrical (!) shapes add dynamism to the lines. The favourable streamline starts with the basic shape, as the EV3 is wider at the front than at the rear. It ends at details like the flushed door handles, air guides at the front wheels and the spoiler above the rear window.

As far as Autozine is concerned, the end result is more than successful. The EV3 is modern and futuristic, manages to stand out from existing offerings and has stayed true to the original concept car. There is often a lot of difference between an initial concept and the final production model because parts are too expensive, technically difficult to realise or do not meet safety requirements. With the EV3, it is clear to see that the designers' original idea has remained intact.

Space

Kia has placed the windscreen as far forward as possible for maximum cabin space. Yet the nose is not as short and streamlined as that of, say, a Volkswagen ID.3. This is because the EV3 has front-wheel drive and all the electronics are placed under the bonnet. This means that even the charging socket is at the front. Despite the fact that all the technology is at the front, Kia still found room for 25 litres of storage space under the bonnet ("frunk"), useful for label cables, for example.

The EV3 not only looks like an electric car from the outside, the inside too is quite different from a conventional Kia. Wherever possible, fabric has been used instead of plastic, giving a warm, homely and a futuristic feel at the same time. 28.5 kg of the raw materials are recycled materials and there is a QR code on the dashboard that links to a website explaining where the materials come from. Most importantly, though: it all looks and feels high-quality and is in no way inferior to conventional materials.

Thanks to its tall build, entry is easy and seating is high. Space in the front is good, with a unique extendable table providing the intended living room feel. In addition, the cabin is remarkably wide, making the EV3 feel larger than it actually is. The backrests of the front seats are curved, so while legroom in the rear is adequate, the headrest comes uncomfortably close to the rear passenger's face (similar to someone reclining the seat on an aeroplane). In addition, the back of the front seats is made of hard plastic, which is unpleasant for the knees of rear passengers.

Equipment

A display screen extends from behind the steering wheel to halfway up the dashboard. In fact, it consists of three connected displays and is carried over unchanged from Kia's flagship model: the EV9. However, for the EV3, the software (based on LG's WebOS) has been further developed. The route planner can now plan smarter charging stops if the route is longer than the battery stretches. Previously, the route planner assumed charging to 100% everywhere. Henceforth, the computer can suggest recharging for only a few minutes if that is more efficient.

The infotainment system is well thought out and clever use is made of the available screen space. To kill time while charging, games are available. ChatGPT is integrated to ask questions about anything the occupants can think of while driving. Moreover, this smart assistant can set the navigation system and control the climate control system. The promised link with TripAdvisor did not materialise during the test. When asked for the best hotel or restaurant nearby, invariably a list of destinations appeared for the navigation system and not the requested advice. Harman Kardon's "premium" audio system has a spacious and sparkling sound.

Because it is required by the European Union, the EV3 warns of every mistake and sloppiness. However, Kia goes further than strictly necessary in this and offers no leeway. Also, an audible signal sounds at every recognised road sign. All this is enough to drive a sane person to despair within a single trip. Fortunately, one bright mind within Kia has made it possible by silencing the systems at the touch of a button.

Electric car

Kia assumes that the EV3 will be the first electric car for many buyers. Therefore, to address range concerns, the EV3 has an above-average range. The EV3 sits on a new platform and is the first to use a new generation of batteries from supplier LG. The base version has a 58 kWh battery, on which 410 km can theoretically be covered. The top model even has an 81 kWh battery, good for a theoretical range of 600 km! During the test under favourable weather conditions, this was 541 km. Charging can be done at 11 kW at a public charge point and up to 128 kW at a fast charger (under ideal conditions).

No matter which battery is chosen, the EV3 always delivers 204 hp / 283 Nm. Kia ensures that that power is always readily available. Both from standstill and from high speed, the EV3 responds instantly and eagerly to the accelerator, making the car seem very fast. However, this is limited to short intermediate sprints. Relative to the high weight, the power is insufficient to actually perform on the long way.

As far as Autozine is concerned, this is a smart choice, because together with the modern battery technology, the innovative control of the electric motor and the many possibilities to recover energy, the EV3 is extremely economical (test consumption 14 kWh / 100 km). The driver can choose how strongly the EV3 regenerates when releasing the accelerator and thus how much energy is recovered. Thereby, an "auto" mode is available, which uses radar (distance from other objects) and navigation (knowledge of the surroundings) to determine how strongly the car brakes when releasing the throttle. However, in practice, this works too slowly and the electronics make too many mistakes. This is why it was mainly driven in the "iPedal" mode, where the EV3 brakes maximally and thus recovers maximally when releasing the accelerator.

Driving characteristics

Maybe the EV3's strongest point is its handling. As with most other electric cars, the heavy but low and centrally placed battery determines handling. The EV3 is therefore already stable by nature, while its compact build ensures manoeuvrability.

Kia goes beyond that, however, with an advanced suspension. Horizontal movements are not absorbed by rubber or plastic, but by a fluid-filled mechanism. Vertical movements are absorbed by shock absorbers that dampen more or less depending on frequency. Previously, these shock absorbers were too big for a compact car, but this third version of Kia's "Smart Frequency Comfort Dampers" also fits the compact EV3. On bad roads, the EV3 therefore offers above-average comfort, while stability on the highway is good. Yet there is a catch! Because the car reacts differently under different conditions, the driver may occasionally be surprised by its handling. Overall, thanks to its wide bodywork and advanced suspension, the EV3 offers the serenity and refinement of much larger cars.

Conclusion

With the EV3, Kia has achieved something special. It has brought the distinctive design and advanced technology of much larger models to the mid-range. The EV3 therefore stands out above mediocrity in all aspects.

The equipment is just as advanced as in the larger models and, depending on the version chosen, just as complete. Thanks to its tailor-made platform, the EV3 has room for very large batteries, which ensures an above-average range. The long range is also thanks to the low consumption (modern materials, smart energy recovery, favourable streamline). The electric motor is lively and eager, making the EV3 seem faster than it is.

Thanks to a highly advanced suspension and good sound insulation, the EV3 offers the comfort and refined driving characteristics of a higher class vehicle. In short: the EV3 bundles all the qualities of the much larger (and more expensive!) EV6 and EV9 into a compact model and brings it to the general public.