Kia Aims to Popularise Electric Cars with New EV3

Spain's current share of fully electric vehicles stands at 4.94%, trailing behind Europe where BEVs reach 17.3%. This figure shows a notable improvement from last year but remains insufficient to meet EU targets and provide positive economic outcomes for manufacturers.

The South Korean brand KIA aims to make a leap in its electrification process, with its new EV3 model playing a crucial role in its strategy. It is a high-volume, specifically electric vehicle for the compact SUV market, boasting a segment-leading range of up to 605 km, with enough versatility and accessibility to become the primary household car.

Kia's first compact electric SUV is poised to win over European customers, and according to the brand, it sets a new benchmark in design, efficiency, and performance in a highly demanded market sector.

Based on Kia's dedicated electric vehicle architecture, the Global Electric Modular Platform (E-GMP), the EV3 is designed to prioritise user and ownership experience while making electric vehicles accessible to a broader range of customers. It is part of Kia's strategy to market 11 electric vehicles by 2026, expanding to 15 by 2027, with a fully electric product range for Europe by 2035.

"The Kia EV3 is an incredibly versatile vehicle, conceived and developed to accommodate the diverse needs and lifestyles of customers across Europe," stated Marc Hedrich, President and CEO of Kia Europe, during the dynamic test drive of the car held in Lisbon. "It also demonstrates how a widely distributed electric vehicle can be part of a broad ecosystem that includes in-car payments, remote updates, bidirectional charging, digital upgrades, and much more, making driving more convenient than ever."

The model arrives at dealerships in its front-wheel-drive version with 205 HP, consuming from 14.9 kWh/100 km, and with a price without discounts starting at approximately €33,600. The EV3's 605 km range extends to 773 km when used exclusively in urban driving situations. This is made possible by the i-Pedal technology and a regenerative braking system that offers the driver more flexibility and control by separating the regenerative braking level from the total stop control function.

One-pedal driving can be used in all regenerative braking modes, even in reverse. The system also retains the previously selected level when the vehicle is turned off. Additionally, the CX drag coefficient of just 0.263 reduces energy consumption and increases range.

The fast-charging technology with 400 V allows the EV3 to go from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes in the version with a 58.3 kWh battery, and in 31 minutes in the 81.4 kWh version.

Kia is one of the leading manufacturers to introduce vehicle-to-load (V2L) charging in the compact SUV segment. This feature allows the car to power external devices to maximise its functionality. Additionally, EV3s equipped with this technology can perform bidirectional connections (vehicle-to-grid, vehicle-to-home, and vehicle-to-building), which will be gradually introduced in European markets.

The spacious interior of the EV3 offers a lounge-like feel thanks to a clean and uncluttered dashboard, with a triple panoramic screen, two of which are 12.3" (31 cm) touchscreens that facilitate driver visibility and operation, plus a segmented 5.3" (13 cm) screen for climate control. A 12.3" (31 cm) Head-up Display places all necessary information in the driver's line of sight.

Like the EV9, the EV3 achieves an excellent balance between tactile controls and touch commands for interior functions that help minimise driver distraction.

It is the first Kia to feature the Artificial Intelligence Assistant with ChatGPT, which helps enhance the customer's understanding, knowledge, and enjoyment of the vehicle.

It features relaxation seats, smart storage solutions, a sliding tray, ample head and legroom, intelligent ambient lighting, and nature-inspired colours to enhance the well-being of drivers and passengers on every journey. The seats include mesh headrests to improve ventilation and comfort.

The EV3 is now available in Europe. Kia plans to introduce an all-wheel-drive (AWD) variant to expand the range of options for customers beyond the current two-wheel-drive (2WD) models.