Kia EV3 Air review: All-round excellence

May 21, 2025 Matt Allan

We put the Kia EV3 to the test to see if it can still impress against its rivals even in its most basic Air specification

The family EV market is enjoying a bit of a golden time at the moment. At the higher end, cars like the Skoda Enyaq and Tesla Model Y are setting new standards but there are also a growing number of more affordable, accessible options.

Those include the Enyaq’s little brother the Elroq, the Volvo EX30 and the Kia EV3, which brings Kia’s electrification expertise to the compact SUV segment with prices from £33,000.

I sampled the higher-specification EV3 GT-Line on European roads last year but how does the entry-level Air model stand up to nearly 1,000 miles on the UK’s less-than-steller network?

Kia EV3 design, interior and technology

Kia’s electric SUV range has a very distinct design language. The odd-numbered EV3, EV9 and upcoming EV5 all share a blocky, geometric look intended to emphasise their ‘SUVness’ and set them clearly apart from the sleeker even-numbered fastbacks. The EV3’s look is not overly aggressive, though, and details such as the slimline lights and slightly angled bonnet edge help soften the shape. It definitely looks more substantial than some rivals, even if it’s not actually any bigger.

Kia EV3 Air review image — The EV3 has a slightly softer appearance than its EV9 big brother

The feeling of size is continued inside. Kia classes the EV3 as a compact SUV but there’s plenty of space for a family of four. Even with the front seats at full stretch, there’s still room for an average-sized adult or teenager in the back, and the flat floor, light upholstery and low-set centre console enhance the feeling of space.

That centre console is great for stashing cups, phones, bags of sweets and more, and there are plenty of other storage spaces around the cabin. In the boot there’s 460 litres of luggage space, and there’s space in the 25-litre frunk for charging cables.

The EV3’s interior design borrows heavily from the EV9, including materials, layout and tech. That means there’s a lot of recycled fabrics and an unfortunate amount of grey plastic that lacks the sparkle of rivals and probably won’t age well. Kia steals points back from rivals like the Elroq and Smart #1, however, thanks to the superior quality of its materials and construction.

As mentioned, tech from the EV9 has made it into the EV3, including twin 12.3-inch digital displays for instruments and infotainment. Both are clear, customisable and easy to use. Even better, there are big simple controls for the heating system and proper physical buttons on the steering wheel.

Kia EV3 Air interior — The EV3’s interior feels rock solid but the grey plastic is an odd choice

Like all modern cars the EV3 is packed with technology. Even this basic Air spec gets adaptive cruise control, lane change assistance and a heap of connected services. What’s nice, though, is that it’s not overwhelming. It’s a car you can get in and drive without spending 20 minutes having to adjust settings. And when you want to adjust something it’s obvious and easy.

Battery, motor and performance

The EV3 Air specification comes with a choice of a standard range 58.3kWh battery or the extended range 81.4kWh unit fitted to our test car.

The short range car offers up to 270 miles on a charge while our test car’s official range is an impressive 375 miles, with consumption of 4.2m/kWh. Of course, in the real world that’s tough to achieve. On a 700-mile round trip, 90% of which was at a steady 70mph, I got around 320 miles per full charge, with efficiency of 3.8m/kWh. Multiple drive modes and five-stage regenerative braking help maximise range or performance. For the first time one-pedal driving works with different levels of recuperation.

At charging time, the EV3 manages a 127kW peak. Rivals such as the Elroq and EX30 outperform it here but it’s still perfectly acceptable and you can add around 125 miles of range in 15 minutes.

Kia EV3 driving imagex — The EV3 is impressively refined for a compact SUV

Every version of the EV3 uses a 201bhp front-mounted motor. That’s pretty normal in this segment and provides reasonably lively performance. It’s no Elroq vRS, but 0-62mph in less than eight seconds is respectable for a compact family SUV and there’s always power on tap when you need it.

When I first drove the EV3 it was on the smooth roads of Portugal, where it impressed. There’s always a risk that cars will fail to live up to early promise on the UK’s roads, but not with the EV3. Even on the farm tracks that pass for A roads near me, it was admirably smooth and comfortable without sacrificing too much in body control. And noise isolation was better than the £70,000 ‘premium’ car I had on test alongside the Kia.

Kia EV3 Air price and specification

Prices for the Kia EV3 Air start at £33,005 for the standard-range battery. The bigger battery bumps that up to £36,005, while GT-Line and GT-Line S cost £39,405 and £43,005 respectively.

Even this ‘basic’ Air spec gets adaptive LED headlights, a reversing camera, heated seats and steering wheel, two-zone air conditioning and Highway Assist 2.0 which combines adaptive cruise control and lane change assistance.

The GT-Line and GT-Line S add fancier body kits, upgraded sound systems, powered tailgates and more, all of which are great, but hardly must-haves. The only shortcoming is that an efficiency-aiding heat pump is only available in the top grade, and the driver’s seat lacks lumbar support.

Verdict

Some buyers want a car that offers high performance and driving thrills, others that acts as a status symbol. Most, however, want a straightforward, good value, dependable tool that meets their everyday needs.

And that’s where the EV3 excels. It’s not fast or flashy but it is spacious, comfortable, keenly priced and with all the driving range and tech most families need.