Say hello to…
…the Kia EV3 the Korean brand’s latest all-electric mid-size car that’s rivals the VW ID3, Vauxhall Frontera, Skoda Elroq and the Volvo EX30.
The Kia EV3 is available with a choice of two battery sizes; a 58.3kWh pack, called standard range, and a 81.4kWh pack called long range, the standard range car is only available in entry level Air specification. Official range runs from 270 miles up to 375 miles. Both versions use the same 201hp motor driving the front wheels. Kia aims to offer more (in terms of range, space and equipment) for less (in terms of list price).
Fleets can choose from three trim levels of EV3:
- Air
- GT-Line
- GT-Line S
As standard, Air specification includes 17-inch alloys, 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, climate control, heated front seats and steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors, reversing camera and adaptive cruise control.
GT-Line adds 19-inch alloys, faux leather upholstery, privacy glass, driver’s lumbar support, wireless phone charger, LED headlights and a digital key.
GT-Line S adds rear heated seats, ventilated front seats, surround view, powered boot lid, blind spot view, sunroof, head-up display, memory powered seats and an uprated stereo.
Is The Kia EV3 Suitable For My Fleet
Kia’s EV3 has the potential to be one of the best all-round fleet cars on the market thanks to a decent range (with the larger battery), excellent equipment levels, great practicality (460 litre boot) and strong residual values leading to competitive lease rates. If there’s any weaknesses it’s that a heat pump – which would improve real-world range – is only an option (and even then only on the top spec versions). And the maximum charge speeds are very much middle-of-pack at 100kW on the standard range car and 127kW on the long range versions.
Leasing A Kia EV3
Intelligent Car Leasing is offering the Kia EV3 in GT-Line trim, with the long range battery, for £510 a month on a 3+36 contract with 10,000 miles a year. Gensen Reports forecasts maintenance costs at £29 a month. Class 1A NIC comes in at £11 a month.
Driving A Kia EV3
Styling is always a subjective point, but the Kia EV3’s shrunken EV9 look means it not only stands out from almost every other car in the class but also looks well-proportioned and classy.
That quality look is maintained inside. Entry level Air specification cars use slightly harder and less expensive looking plastics, but the layout is still clean and easy to understand. Move up to the GT Line trim and you’ve got a seriously high quality feeling cabin. The super-soft headrests are worth a special mention.
The only oddity is that instead of a central arm rest cubby, there’s a flat area that could be used as a mini table, but not while you’re moving.
The infotainment system is relatively easy to get to grips with. While Kia has now introduced a one button press to deactivate the speed warning and another for lane keeping, if you want to turn off the attention warning and speed limit change warning they are still buried in the menu system.
Out on the road the EV3 is one of the first fully electric cars in this class to have judged ride comfort and handling perfectly for UK roads. Even over rougher roads the suspension manages to keep passengers comfortable and isolated from any suspension or road noise. What’s more, it does this without the EV3 feeling at all wallowy in the corners.
Performance is good rather than being EV-ridiculous which again is judged well for everyday use. The brakes are linear and while there’s no one-pedal driving the regen can be controlled by paddles behind the steering wheel.
In cold (but not freezing) conditions, we saw average efficiency between 3.0 and 3.4 miles per kWh – the higher achieved using eco drive mode. It’s a figures that’s a bit lower than we’d hope, but not bad. Perhaps a heat pump would have helped with the cold?
Overall, the EV3 is a highly impressive car and one that should go straight on the choice list.
FleetandLeasing.com Verdict On The Kia EV3
Straight to the top of the class for the EV3 long range.
Kia EV3
- Model: Kia EV3 GT-Line
- Power: 201hp
- Torque: 283Nm
- Max speed: 105mph
- 0-62mph: 7.9s
- Official range: 367 miles
- Test range: 270 miles*
- CO2 emissions: 0g/km
- BIK tax band 2022/23: 2%
* Ambient temp 7degC
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