Kia Australia has further expanded its electric vehicle line-up with the EV3 small SUV, now available in dealerships.
According to Kia, the EV3 has been designed from the ground up to be a no-compromise EV and brings standard and long-range electrified power to the small SUV segment.
The Kia EV3 range opens with a $47,600 RRP for the Air Standard Range variant and tops out at $63,950 RRP for the GT-Line variant.
“We are pleased to launch the Kia EV3 with pricing, technology, and features that represent a compelling edge in the Australian electric vehicle market,” Kia Australia chief executive Damien Meredith says.
“The EV3 represents yet another significant milestone in Kia’s global journey affirming our commitment to becoming a leading sustainable mobility provider and making electric vehicles more affordable.”
The EV3 is available across three trimlines; Air, Earth, and GT-Line. Air is offered with a choice between Standard Range and Long Range battery systems, while Earth and GT-Line are both Long Range.
The Standard Range battery is rated at 58.3 kWh, while the Long Range steps up to 81.4 kWh, and both batteries are lithium-ion type.
This contributes to a 604km WLTP driving range for the Long Range version of the EV3 Air, with the EV3 Air Standard Range rated for 436km, and the Long Range Earth and GT-Line boasting a 563km figure.
Also optimising driving range is the EV3’s introduction of the new iPedal 3.0 adjustable regenerative braking system.
iPedal 3.0 enables one-pedal driving that adjusts the level of regenerative braking according to your preference to maximise efficiency.
Conveniently, iPedal 3.0 settings will remain after restarting the vehicle and the system can also be operated when reverse gear is engaged.
Dimensionally, the EV3 measures 4300mm long (GT-Line 4310mm), 1850mm wide and 1560mm high (GT-Line 1570mm), and rides on a 2680mm wheelbase.
An ANCAP safety rating for EV3 is pending assessment from EuroNCAP independent crash testing, which will be available later this year and will be confirmed in due course.
The EV3 features three distinct two-tone interior colourways spread across the trim lines. EV3 Air models feature cloth trim, while Earth and GT-Line step up to artificial leather. The Earth grade goes a step further in providing a choice between Subtle Grey and Light Warm Grey artificial leather.
The Kia EV3 is available in eight exterior colours across the line-up, spanning Clear White, Snow White Pearl, Ivory Silver, Aurora Black Pearl, Shale Grey, Frost Blue, Matcha Green, and Terracotta ($550 for Premium Paint applies to all but Clear White).
Power and performance
The EV3 uses the most compact iteration of the scalable E-GMP platform to date, with its single-motor layout driving the front wheels.
All variants are equipped with a 150kW/283Nm electric motor, which integrates with an inverter and reduction gearbox to form a single unit mounted at the front of the vehicle.
The EV3 Air with its Standard Range battery is capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds, Air Long Range at 7.7 seconds, and the more feature-laden Earth and GT-Line Long Range variants rated at 7.9 seconds.
Energy efficiency for the EV3 Air Standard Range is rated at 14.9kWh/100km (ADR81/02), while the Earth and GT-Line Long Range variants carry a 16.2kWh/100km (ADR81/02) figure.
The EV3 uses the 400V version of the E-GMP EV platform, with both Standard Range and Long Range batteries using lithium-ion technology.
Charging is via a Type 2 port located on the driver’s side front of the EV3, with DC charging from 10-80 per cent possible in as little as 29 minutes for the EV3 Air’s 58.3kWh Standard Range battery when using a 350kW fast charger.
The EV3 Earth and GT-Line’s 81.4kWh Long Range Battery can charge from 10-80% in 31 minutes using a 350kW fast charger.
Local suspension tuning
Led by Kia Australia’s chief ride and handling engineer, Graeme Gambold, the EV3 underwent a ride and handling tuning program which resulted in a unique combination of hardware and shock absorber settings designed specifically for Australian road conditions and driving tastes.
“The outcome of our EV3 program demonstrates good neutral handling balance, with a high level of grip and handling confidence,” Gambold says.
“We were able to leverage the fundamentals of the EV3’s E-GMP platform to deliver excellent, flat and responsive dynamic handling, combined with a rounded and compliant ride overall, especially on high-speed country roads.
“We achieved good, natural steering weight and feel in both Comfort and Sport modes, with good cornering linearity and response.
“The EV3 represents a distinct driving experience alongside existing Kia models, with a personality that matches its edgy design,” he says.
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