Review of the Kia EV3: the compact electric SUV that redefines urban driving with 605 km of range

Some cars arrive on the market looking for a gap. The Kia EV3 arrives looking to redefine one. The Korean brand has decided that a compact electric SUV can — and should — offer ranges that, until a couple of years ago, were the preserve of the upper segment. And it does so at an entry price that won’t scare off the average urban buyer.

A compact SUV that plays in the big leagues

The EV3’s approach is clean: 4.30 metres of bodywork, a native electric platform and a range of driving ranges from the 440 km WLTP of the entry version up to the 605 km of the Long Range trim. In a segment where 400 km was already considered acceptable, the leap is remarkable.

Exterior design: the Opposites United language lands in the C-segment

Kia has carried over to the EV3 the same aesthetic language it debuted with the EV9, with that mix of taut surfaces and geometric details that is already a house signature. The vertical Star Map headlights, the square wheel arches and a clean rear end set it apart from the soft-edged format of other electric compact SUVs. It looks robust without needing to pretend.

Interior and space: minimalism with common sense

Inside, the panoramic triple screen (12.3 + 5 + 12.3 inches) organises information without overwhelming. Recycled materials abound — PET-derived fabrics, solvent-free synthetic leather — and the whole feels a step above what the price suggests. The 460-litre boot comes close to the best in the segment, and the 25-litre frunk makes room for the Mode 3 cable.

The rear seats make better use of the 2.68-metre wheelbase than its overall length would suggest. An adult of 1.85 m travels without touching the roof. That said, the rear bench sits a little low for long journeys — occupants travel with their knees slightly raised.

Powertrain and performance: 204 CV that’s more than enough in town

The only powertrain available is a front-mounted electric motor producing 150 kW / 204 CV with 283 Nm of torque. No AWD variants, at least for now. The 0–100 sprint is dispatched in 7.5–7.7 seconds depending on the version, and top speed is limited to around 170 km/h. Enough. An urban SUV doesn’t need more.

In practice, delivery is linear and throttle response is well filtered: there are none of the abrupt jerks that wear you out in traffic. The steering asks for a bit more weight — to our taste — in Sport mode, but the overall package conveys composure.

Kia EV3 range: 440 or 605 km depending on battery

The heart of the commercial argument. The Standard Range fits a 58.3 kWh usable battery and is homologated at 440 km WLTP. The Long Range steps up to 81.4 kWh and reaches 605 km WLTP. In real-world consumption — motorway at 120 km/h, moderate winter — we’re talking 16–18 kWh/100 km, which translates to roughly 380–420 real km in the long-range version. A figure that until recently was the preserve of €60,000 mid-size SUVs.

Charging: 128 kW DC, a reasonable ceiling

Here the EV3 does not break records. The architecture is 400V — not 800V like the EV6 — and peak fast-charging power tops out at 128 kW. From 10 to 80% takes about 31 minutes. Enough for the intended use, although those who make frequent long journeys will notice the difference against rivals with more modern architectures, something we already explained when analysing why the maximum power brands advertise doesn’t tell the whole story.

On-board technology: the AI assistant the Kia debuts on the EV3

The EV3 debuts the conversational assistant based on generative AI that the brand will extend across the rest of the range. It understands natural language — “my feet are cold“, “find me a quiet café” — and acts on it. It works well most of the time. At other times, it doesn’t quite get it. Whether the software evolves at the promised pace remains to be seen.

The Highway Driving Assist 2 ADAS suite maintains the standard Kia has accustomed us to: refined lane keeping, predictive adaptive cruise control and semi-automatic lane changes.

Kia EV3 price: from ≈€37,000

The recommended RRP starts at around €37,000 for the Air Standard Range trim. The Long Range sits at roughly €42,000–43,000, and GT-Line trims can approach €45,000. A necessary warning: these are manufacturer’s recommended RRPs, without dealer discounts, one-off campaigns or purchase incentives such as MOVES. The final street price is usually considerably lower.

Kia EV3 Standard Range specifications

Competitive context: where the EV3 stands

In the electric C-segment SUV class it competes with proposals such as the Volvo EX30, the Smart #1 or the Jeep Avenger electric. The EV3 wins on homologated range in the Long Range version, ties on technology and loses some ground on fast charging against rivals already running 800V, such as the updated Smart #1.

Summary table and score

Verdict: the new urban benchmark from Kia

The EV3 is not perfect — 400V charging and the absence of AWD are its two outstanding homework items — but it gets the important things right: real-world range, a contained entry price, a well-resolved interior and a look that will age well. For anyone seeking a compact electric SUV mainly for urban use with the capacity for occasional long trips without range anxiety, it is today one of the most complete options on the Spanish market.

Frequently asked questions

What is the maximum range of the Kia EV3?
The Long Range version with an 81.4 kWh battery is homologated at 605 km WLTP. The 58.3 kWh Standard Range stays at ≈440 km WLTP.

How much does the Kia EV3 cost in Spain?
The recommended RRP starts at around €37,000 for the Air Standard Range trim, without applying discounts or purchase incentives.

What power does the Kia EV3 have?
It mounts a front-mounted electric motor producing 150 kW / 204 CV with 283 Nm of torque, with front-wheel drive only.

How fast does the Kia EV3 charge?
On DC it accepts up to 128 kW of peak power, allowing it to go from 10 to 80% of the battery in approximately 31 minutes.