KIA EV3 FIRST REVIEW - A SMALL EV9?

EV Channels Review

The Kia EV3 presents a compelling package, drawing clear design inspiration from its larger EV9 sibling, albeit in a more compact form factor. The reviewer highlights its bold exterior styling and the practical, sustainable interior featuring animal-free and recycled materials. Key interior features include comfortable, relaxing seats with a unique relaxation function, a well-organized cockpit with physical controls for climate and audio, and a versatile dashboard display. Practicality is addressed with a decent-sized trunk and a frunk suitable for charging cables. Performance is adequate with 204 hp FWD, though the reviewer notes the lack of 800V architecture and a less-than-ideal drag coefficient (Cd 0.267) which might impact efficiency on highways. Charging speeds are respectable at up to 128 kW for the larger battery. The reviewer praises Kia's attention to detail, such as the manual climate controls and the shortcut to disable the EU speed limit warning, a feature that plagued the EV9. While pricing is unconfirmed, the EV3 aims to be competitive against rivals like the Volvo EX30 and VW ID3.