2025 Kia EV3 interior, design, and features review

Introduction

The Kia EV3 is boxy like the beastly EV9 but a bit smaller than the popular EV6. There is a very complete SUV lineup for Kia.

The EV3 slots right into the very popular compact-sized SUV market, meaning it's a very important piece of Kia's strategy for expanding its market share. It packs all of the smart technology of the 7-seat Kia EV9 but in a much more sought-after size and at far more accessible price.

At launch, Kia emphasized practicality and range over performance, so you get a car with lots of kit but only a front-wheel drive option for now (a dual-motor AWD version is coming eventually, though).

Who is it for?

The Kia EV3 is for the ones that have their hearts set on a compact crossover, not unlike the Volvo EX30, or the new Renault Scenic E-Tech and Skoda Elroq.

Prices are very similar and so are performance and range figures, so where the Kia aims to stand out is with the generously equipped cabin, styling and range. Future owners of the EV3 will find it very practical for its size with a 460 l trunk and a 25 l frunk. The center console is clever, doubling as a slide-out table you can do a bit of work on.

You can get both heated and cooled seats on the front (heated in the back), as well as a heated steering wheel. The interior is 100% animal-free with clever organic use and an airy, bright design, which is quickly becoming a Kia aesthetic. Optional Harmon Kardon speakers will appeal to almost everyone as well.

What's the short story?

At launch, the Kia EV3 comes with either a 58.3 kWh battery with 414 km WLTP range or an 81.4 kWh battery with 563 km WLTP range. Both battery packs are mated to a 150 kW (204 hp) motor powering the front wheels. Zero to 62 mph takes 7.5 seconds with the small battery and 7.7 seconds with the big one - more than sensible for the style of vehicle.

Kia will eventually provide a 258 hp dual-motor AWD version and a 284 hp GT version.

Kia EV3 at a glance:

• Dimensions: 169.3 inches x 72.8 inches x 61.4 inches, 105.5 inches wheelbase.
• Drivetrains available: 58.3 kWh - FWD 150 kW (204 hp), 209 lb-ft, 81.4 kWh - FWD 150 kW (204 hp), 209 lb-ft
• Charging: 135 kW CCS; 10-80% in 33 min.
• Range: 58.3 kWh - 257 miles WLTP; 81.4 kWh - 350 miles WLTP
• Weight: 4,156 lb unladen, 5,192 lb gross
• Trunk: 16.2 ft³, 0.88 ft³ frunk

What's great about it?

The EV3's boxy shape is a breath of fresh air in a sea of sporty crossovers with sloped roofs. Sometimes the most functional shape is better - the EV3 allows for excellent headroom in the rear and a big, practical trunk opening.

That's not to say the EV3 is all practicality and no style - we are actually quite fond of its looks as well, though we acknowledge they are a bit polarizing.

The interior is spacious for the 4.3 meters of length you get - certainly better than Volvo's EX30. The seats are excellent and you get USB-C ports everywhere - even the rear seats. They're placed right at the sides of the front seats, rather than being swept near the rug somewhere - clever, these Kia folks.

The trunk has a wide opening and a false floor with some underfloor storage.

While far from sporty, the driving position is nice and comfortable and you have an excellent view out.

We love Kia steering wheels - you have so much control of the vehicle from there. Better yet, it's physical buttons that are very easy to use - none of those capacitive touch shenanigans. The drive mode select button at the base of the wheel is very convenient. And, the steering wheel is heated, which we're starting to appreciate as the cold months settle in.

You get two 12.3-inch displays - one for the driver and another for the main infotainment. Neatly, the climate control has its own 5.3-inch display underneath.

What's not that good?

Some will certainly find the EV3's design overdone. The base trim lacks a heat pump, which will be a detriment to the range.

The lack of an all-wheel drive version at launch could put some people off as well. It would've been better if the single-motor versions were rear-wheel drive like the Volvo EX30 and Skoda Elroq too.

Which version to get?

Kia will sell you three trims of the EV3 - Air (€36,000 with the smaller battery, €41,400 with the bigger one) has cruise control and all-around parking sensors but is otherwise too barebones. The middle option - Earth (€38,000 with the smaller battery, €44,000 with the bigger one) - adds Autobahn Assistant and Forward Collision Warning, folding mirrors, Blind Spot Assist, as well as heated front seats and steering wheel - this is the one we'd go for.

A move up to the €49,000 GT-line adds 19-inch alloys, LED lights front and back, an 8-speaker Harmon Kardon audio setup, and some GT styling. It's also the one with the heat pump. If you can swing it, it's the close second best value.