Your new Kia Niro EV is ready. Which is our way of saying that this new EV3 is the Korean maker’s idea of what a mainstream small hatchback/SUV should be like in 2025. And yes, it does actually replace the Niro EV, although the hybrid versions continue.
The EV3, reigning World Car of the Year no less, is clearly part of Kia’s new-generation EV portfolio. Although it’s probably more appropriate to say it’s clearly just a new-gen Kia, because the brand’s idiosyncratically angular styling cues are now all over its model range, electric and combustion alike.
EV3 has a big-car look and feel, with a brilliantly spacious and airy interior thanks to a long wheelbase; but in fact it has a small, urban-friendly footprint. At 4300mm long it’s slightly shorter than Kia’s own Seltos, about the same as an MG4 (taller though) and close enough to the BYD Atto 3 (4455mm) and Geely EX5 (4615mm) to make it an almost-rival.
Even if you’re not a fan of Kia’s latest design style (most are though), you’d have to say the EV3 represents the best execution of it; or maybe first-equal with the massive EV9. The boxier the proportions, the better this look works.
Our EV3 is the second-from-bottom (we don’t mean that in a negative way, honest) $62,990 Light LR model. The brag for this and every other EV3 above it is a big battery: 81.4kWh is massive for an electric car of this size and gives the front-drive Light LR a WLTP range of 605km, the best in the lineup. Indeed, our car was showing 625km on its indicator when we collected it.
Kia's idiosyncratically angular styling cues are now all over its model range, electric and combustion alike.
“LR” stands for long range of course; the $55,520 Light SR downsizes to 58.3kWh, which is still good for 436km. Fine for a car like this.
Given this is a bespoke EV architecture, it seems odd that the EV3 is not twist-and-go; you still have to press a power button to make it go, and said button is tucked out-of-sight on the steering column-mounted gear selector. An odd stumble at the first hurdle.
The SUV power-of-suggestion is evident in the Snow drive mode and hill descent control. Yeah, okay.
But once the EV3 is up and running, it’s a thing of joyous simplicity. The power is calibrated to be super-smooth, sans the low-speed wheel-spinny antics that are still common in front-drive EVs. The steering and throttle are nicely and consistently weighted, while the chassis balances a pillowy-but-controlled ride with stable handling.
The EV3 is not at all sporty, but it doesn’t shy away from quick cornering when required. Above all, the controls and chassis have the confident feel of a car from a mature maker. Which Kia definitely is.
There are plenty of hard plastics in the cabin, but there’s a quality feel nonetheless, and the storage spaces are generous.
The SUV power-of-suggestion is evident in the Snow drive mode and hill descent control. Yeah, okay. The drive mode button is nestled in the steering wheel spokes by the way, just like a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. But the different settings don’t seem to do a lot, so we'd say just leave them alone.
The cabin is familiar Kia in look and feel. There are actually three screens united across the dashboard, the slim centre section devoted to a permanent climate-control display - a great idea when so many modern cars have these functions buried in the main infotainment screen. The display itself is semi-concealed (behind the steering wheel) however, depending on how you’re sitting.
The cabin architecture is light and airy, and the pale grey colour of our test car’s fittings also give it a lift. There are plenty of hard plastics around, but there’s a quality feel nonetheless, and the storage spaces are generous - especially in the console between the front seats.
The top shelf is a bit hard and slidey, but the bottom one has a rubber lining that stops your phone from skating around. The flip-out cupholder surrounds allow you to choose between storage and beverage as needed.
The dashboard has a few choice infotainment controls embedded into the plastic, a bit like the Nissan Ariya. These ones don’t look as nice, but they work a whole lot better, with a firm action.
Honourable mention to the standalone audio-mode button on the steering wheel, which allows you to switch between personal media and radio even when phone projection (it’s wireless, by the way) is running on the main screen. You’d be surprised how many cars require you to quit projection and go fishing in menus to find FM.
Love the sustainable-chic upholstery of our Light test car and yes, the cabin is really spacious thanks to a long wheelbase and flat floor. There’s a 3-pin socket in the back and external vehicle-to-load adaptor included for use with the charge port.
The boot is pretty good (if shallow) at 460l and the rear seats fold almost flat, so it’s a practical small car.
You’d need to be driving your small car a long way every day to justify paying the extra $6700 for the big battery, because the Light SR can still do 436km, which is plenty for a vehicle like this. But maybe the LR is Kia’s answer to EV doubters who say pure plug-ins can't match the range of a conventional petrol car… because this one can.
The EV3 is a bit wacky, but Kia-wacky rather than EV-wacky; just the new-normal, really. It doesn’t try to be too clever and just concentrates on doing everything well and, more importantly, nothing badly. This is a small car that’s pretty much perfectly judged.
What are the key statistics for the Kia EV3 Light LR?
The Light LR ('long range") is the least expensive way to get the big 81.4kWh battery; it's front-drive with a single electric motor making 150kW/283Nm.
Is the Kia EV3 Light LR efficient?
The combination of that big battery and relatively good consumption (14.9kWh/100km) gives the EV3 Light LR a very impressive range of 605km.
Is the Kia EV3 Light LR good to drive?
The steering and chassis are nicely weighted for a near-ideal combination of comfort and dynamic stability. It won't wow you in any respect, but it's a consistently nice way to travel in virtually any driving environment.
Is the Kia EV3 Light LR practical?
The exterior footprint is supermini-small, but the long wheelbase and flat floor mean the EV3 can happily serve as family transport. The 460l boot is quite generous for a car of this size, too.
What do we like about the Kia EV3 Light LR?
It's a great execution of Kia's new-gen styling themes, it has a huge battery/range if that's your thing, dynamically it's confident and consistent, and the cabin is spacious and welcoming.
What don’t we like about the Kia EV3 Light LR?
$63k is still quite a lot for a small car with manual seats/tailgate, it's surprising that a modern EV like this isn't twist-and-go (it retains a separate power button), and the drive modes don't seem to do a whole lot.
What kind of person would the Kia EV3 Light LR suit?
Somebody who wants a perfectly-judged small EV from an established maker. Or somebody coming out of a conventional combustion car who's satisfied that 600km-plus settles any range anxiety.