Be excited about this eye-catching electric SUV. This top-of-the-range model, the Kia EV3 GT-Line S, has it all

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Car Reviewed: Kia EV3 GT-Line S

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The future of smaller electric SUVs is hotting up, and the EV3, for me, leads the pack. From the outside, it’s a bold, attractive vehicle that is angular and pleasing to the eye. At the front, the latest Kia digital tiger face is between what Kia calls vertical ‘Star Map’ Headlights.

The EV3 is the reduced in size version of the epic Kia EV9 seven-seater. It’s all part of Kia’s grand EV plan, with eleven EV vehicles in the UK by 2026. This is what you call the B-SUV smaller, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is any less equipped. Rumour has it that there may be a dual-motor AWD version of the EV3 later in the year.

The EV3 is available in three different trim levels. It is packed with the 81.4kWH battery, placed low down in the vehicle to give better, more balanced handling. This GT-Lines S gives you a worthwhile driving range of up to 361 miles combined or 468 miles with city use (WLTP). Rapid 400v fast charging tech takes only 31 minutes for a 10-80% charge, or just adding 125 miles takes just 15 minutes. I-Pedal (one-pedal driving can be used which uses brake regen to increase efficiency and performance. The charging point is conveniently located in the front wing.

On the road, it’s very quiet, relaxing and refined to drive; the car has excellent aerodynamics, which all help to reduce power consumption and increase the range. Kia’s engineers also created optimised shapes under the wheel arches and floor to reduce drag even further. There are also active air flaps to improve aerodynamics.

Inside the car, it is noticeably roomy and styled in a kind of minimalist way. Kia calls it a ‘living-room’ feel. Easily four adults could be accommodated. The boot is also big at 460 litres, one of the largest in the segment. Under the bonnet is a small 35-litre frunk to store smaller items you don’t want rolling around the boot.

The clever people at Kia have optimised the heating/ventilation and air-con to keep you warmer or cooler without impacting the range too much and increasing space in the footwell. My rules of always being cold and wearing two pairs of socks on an EV journey may not apply. The cabin is well-specced, with many soft-touch materials and artificial leather seats; it all appears quite hard-wearing, some even made from recycled plastic from Kia’s involvement in the The Ocean Cleanup.

The dashboard’s main feature is a triple-panoramic display, with two 12.3-inch screens and a 5.3-inch screen in between. At first glance, it’s rather unique looking; once you get used to it, it’s easy to operate and learn. On the GT-Line S, the screen in front of the driver is connected to cameras in the side mirrors, providing helpful video feedback when taking turns or parking close to vehicles or curbs.

Kia is also offering in-car payments on the navigation screen, which will automatically allow you to pay for parking at sites where you currently may use an app. The first partnership is with Parkopedia. (never heard of them) But delving deeper, I understand they are working with quite a few of the parking apps, which will soon be useable in a carpark near you.

The Harman Kardon eight-speaker premium entertainment gives a pretty immersive sound, and of course, Apple CarPlay or Android Auto are also available wirelessly. Upfront, there is a practical wireless charging pad and enough USB-C charging sockets around the car for all.

On the road, the EV3 drives with a spirited 150kW / 201bhp performance, reaching a respectable 0-62mph in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 105mph. With good torque at 283Nm, it’s a comfy car that’s great to drive in town, city, motorways, or the countryside. Visibility is good and handles well in a smooth EV way, but it keeps you involved.

A driving range guide is available in the instruments to help you get the most out of the charge, showing maximum and minimum ranges based on your driving efficiency.

The car is loaded up with driver assistance systems as standard, including Highway Driving Assist 2 and Smart Cruise Control 2, which, when using Intelligent Speed Assist, keeps the car to the speed limit and Collision protection. The ISLA system’s rather annoying beeps and bongs, as in all new vehicles, warning you of every speed sign, can also be muted if required using a simple push and hold of a button. To make it safer, there is also an extensive number of the latest generation of safety systems onboard.

The EV3 in whatever grade is very well specced. An option on the GT-Line S model is a heat pump, which allows for a better way to heat and cool the interior 18-43% more efficiently.

Vehicle to load is only available currently on this GT-Lines S, I am a big fan of V2L using the car to power other things. V2L enables the vehicle to power your home or a building or send power back to the grid. Also, vehicle to BBQ or Electric Bike. Pretty much anything that may need power.

The Kia EV3 Car has it all; it is a superb medium SUV. Don’t forget the award-winning 7-year 100,000-mile warranty and eight years on the battery and motor, which are ideal for all the new technology in an EV such as this. And to make things easier, two-year servicing or 20k miles, whichever comes first.