Overview

THERE is a growing band of really good EVs coming out of Kia and this compact SUV class EV3 is just one. It’s the smaller sister to the EV5 (SUV), EV6 (pretend SUV but more like a large hatchback), EV4 (sedan) and EV9 (six/seven seat SUV).

Pricing is from $63,950 (+ ORC) for the top-shelf GT-Line model tested with the long-range battery. The entry-level (with a reduced battery range) costs from $47,600 (plus costs). So if you like the style and the packaging of the base model, it’s a sub-$50k family wagon proposition.

Battery electric cars take up about 60 per cent of online chat time yet represent only 8 per cent of what Australian consumers actually buy. Strange.

But it’s not all about the EV. This is about an alternative powertrain that offers less exhaust emissions than the internal-combustion engined (ICE) alternative. It’s about the government really wanting you to consider an EV for your next car and if you don't, will apply penalties to the car-makers (to be passed onto consumers) who sell ICEs.

So you have a choice. But that aside, the tide of EVs has quite a lot to sing about. The alternative powerplant offers quiet, smooth, low-emission motoring that creates a package that’s also easy to drive.

The space efficiency of the new crop of EVs is excellent, with barely a wasted litre of storage inside to create a cabin that can take heaps of cargo plus lots of people. They could even fit in a full-size spare wheel … but to save some coin, they don’t.

The EV3 gets a five-star crash rating and comes with a strong inventory of safety gear.

There’s the seven airbags, normal lane-change assist and keep, forward collision avoidance and intersection monitoring, smart cruise control that adjusts the speed to the car ahead, safe exit alert so you don’t open the parked car’s door onto oncoming traffic, driver drowsiness detection and that bane of most driver’s life, the speed alert that will beep when you’re 1km over the posted speed limit (thankfully, with manual override).

On the downside, there’s only a tyre repair kit so you’ll have to wait for roadside assistance if it’s a tyre sidewall issue.

The car gets over-the-air upgrades, remote start and smartphone connectivity for charging status and other features, along with the audio’s CarPlay and Android Auto and V2L via internal and external power points.

The GT-Line version of the EV3 also has a big sunroof, head-up display, eight-speaker Harmon Kardon audio, and heated and vented front seats with full electric adjustment on the passenger seat.

Kia has a seven-year/unlimited distance warranty and up to eight years of roadside assistance program for owners who maintain servicing at a Kia dealer.

The battery has a seven-year or 150,000km warranty.

Unlike Kia’s ICE range, the EV line-up has no capped price service program. Instead, there is a pre-paid service plan that costs $674 for three years of servicing; $1285 for five years;

and $1897 for seven years.

Which brings us to the question…Is the Kia EV3 a worthy compact-EV contender?

Read on….

Driving impressions

I know they're a new thing but EVs are already getting a little bit passé. The honeymoon, at least from a driver’s perspective, is pretty close to being over.

Electric propulsion is smooth, quiet and relaxing to the point of making driving a bit numb. Thankfully, poor driving standards in Australia always ensure there’s some clown on the road ready to keep you alert.

And driving Kia’s latest electric SUV, the EV3, means if the fellow drivers don’t keep you awake, then the electronics in the car certainly will.

Under the Hyundai-Kia umbrella, the EV3 cherry picks all the updated safety gear, including sensors and monitors that will keep the car audibly and vocally on the road and warn well in advance of the likelihood of a misdemeanour.

So the impression is that this car is both lulling you into sleep with its road manners, while ensuring you are wide awake via an assortment of bells and whistles.

The surprising news is that while it may be a car that puts occupant comfort – and safety – at the top of the agenda, it’s still a very enjoyable drive. And not necessarily because it’s electric.

The EV3 is built on the E-GMP platform which is modified from ICE models such as the Hyundai Kona and Kia Niro and Kia K4 (previously Cerato).

In the new electric SUV, it gets a 400-volt system and in the GT-Line long range version tested, a claimed 563km range. Kia says it will take 31 minutes to charge 10-100 per cent with a 350W charger; 79 minutes with a 150W charger; and a leisurely seven hours and 15 minutes plugged into an 11W charge, such as at home.

The range is one of its strong points and is pretty close to the mark, with 520km showing on the car computer’s estimated distance-to-empty. I’m always sceptical of on-board estimates but didn’t have cause to doubt this one.

The performance was good but there’s an over-riding sense that the chassis could take more. For driver ease, there’s the option of one-pedal control – like a fairground bumper car – at the flick of a button.

There is talk of an all-wheel drive EV3 – with a second motor at the back – that could come with a bigger battery and a jump in performance, but Kia has not confirmed it.

Better is the handling. This is another Kia breathed on by Kia’s ride and handling specialist Graeme Gambold and it has helped make the EV3 a delightful drive that has a lot more dynamics that you’d expect.

In its favour is the EV3’s balance, with a low centre of gravity and the weight (a bit over 400kg in the battery alone) spread between the comparatively long wheelbase of 2680mm.

Although it’s 1570mm tall, there isn’t a feeling that it wants to topple. The body roll is minimal and the grip from the front-wheel drive is strong, so it can be hurried through bends with ease – especially in comparison with its bigger EV5 sister that doesn’t feel as nimble.

Most people shudder when hearing about electric-assisted steering but aside from the over-light low speed feel, it is a predictable steer through bends.

The EV3 picks up all the good design of the latest Kia range – dominated by the twin 12.3-inch instrument and touchscreen panels – along with that openness of the dashboard and seating area that promotes space and light and makes the car so inviting.

Creating this open environment and the flat floor is assisted by the gear selector (along with the starter button) relocating to the right-hand steering wheel stalk – same as the other Kia/Hyundai EVs – and the personal storage space and electric handbrake switch moving to a large centre console.

This console has a huge storage space on top which is great for holding items including mobile phones and keys.

Kia maintains physical buttons for high-use functions such as HVAC, using the touchscreen as the platform for communications, navigation and entertainment.

The boot is a reasonable 460 litres, expanding to 1251 litres when the rear seat is folded down. The boot floor is also height adjustable, the only welcome by-product of not having a spare wheel.