With the latest edition, the EV3, hitting the market Down Under, Kia electrics make up almost as many numbers as a Keno card. But is there a winner? Having just sampled the entry-level EV3, and with EV5, 6 and 9, on the dance card down the line, it’s anybody’s guess.
The all-electric small SUV has a lot going for it – sub-$50k price, comfortable cabin, fuel economy and seven-year warranty – designed from the ground up to be a no-compromise EV.
The EV3 sets its sustainable stall out with triple trimlines – Air, Earth and GT-Line – the first with a choice between Standard and Long-Range battery set-up and the latter pair with Long Range only. The test EV3 Air Standard Range is rated for a maximum distance between charges of 436 kilometres.
The sustainability flag is flown high with Kia’s use of its ‘must have’ environmentally friendly materials such as PP and Bio PE plastic, Leather, PU Foam, and Bio and BTX-free paint. Good use is made of recycled fishing net, PET yarns and felt and fabric.
It’s all part of Kia’s bid to become a leading sustainable mobility provider with more affordable vehicles, according to the company’s Australian CEO Damien Meredith. As for the latter, the entry-level EV3 Air Standard Range comes to market at $47,600, plus on-road costs, and tops out at $63,950 for the GT-Line Long Range.
The EV3 comes under Kia’s impressive warranty of seven years, 150,000 kilometres whichever comes first.
STYLING
The EV3 Air continues to speak to Kia’s signature Opposites United language as well as adding its own angle. The Air and Earth front incorporates Kia Star Map lighting and Tiger Face family elements.
Aerodynamics shape the side view with flowing geometric shapes, taking in flush front and hidden rear door handles, complemented by Air-specific 17-inch alloy wheels. The rear follows the front (of course) with further Star Map lighting, with black window frames flowing through the C-pillar to the rear window.
Body dimensions differ according to grade across the EV3 range but share a common
wheelbase of 2680mm.
INTERIOR
The EV3 takes advantage of the Kia E-GMP platform, squeezing optimum leg, head and shoulder room out of a compact exterior. Air occupants, however, miss out on heated and ventilated front seats and heated steering wheel.
Three different colour combinations are spread over the EV3 trimlines. Air models feature cloth trim. Earth and GT-Line occupants wallow in artificial leather. Earth folk also have the choice between Subtle Grey and Light Warm Grey artificial leather.
Cargo space is generous for its class, 460 litres available in the rear and a 25-litre cubby in the nose.
INFOTAINMENT
Kia lays claims to a homely theme in the cabin, with minimalist details and soft touch points set off by large touchscreen displays and physical buttons for frequently used functions.
These screens are comprised of a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 5-inch climate control monitor and 12.3-inch infotainment display with Kia’s latest graphical user interface.
Features across the range include Kia Connect, over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto And phone charging. V2L function includes connector kit, and a column-style shift-by-wire gear selector.
There’s hardly a centimetre of space on the double width screen, and some of the info – climate controls, for example – is hidden by the steering wheel spokes. Also, Air owners miss out on an automatic power tailgate.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The Kia EV3 Air Standard Range is powered by front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering mmaximum power of 150kW and torque of 283Nm, mated with a one-speed reduction gear automatic transmission. This is good for a range of up to 436 kilometres.
SAFETY
The EV3 ticks most of the boxes with active and passive safety. Features across the board include Highway Driving Assist 2, Driver Attention Warning from sensors built into the steering wheel. A total of seven airbags include a centre side airbag.
The rating is dependent on EuroNCAP crash testing which, Kia says, will be available later this year. Kia says a 360-degree camera was not an option because of weight and cost. In its place is a rear-view camera with guidelines, plus front and rear parking sensors.
DRIVING
The electric ‘charge’ off the mark found in many EVs is not matched by the EV3 in Normal drive mode. Sport mode puts a spark in the action, at the cost of fuel consumption. The Air Standard Range with its 58.3kWh battery consumed close to the claimed 14.9kWh per 100 kilometres by the maker over varied conditions of the drive period.
This followed a few door handle dramas with the flush front door access. Some found the opening action hard to cotton onto at first, especially with only one hand free.
Practice made perfect, however. Hiding the rear door handle only added to comments of disdain. Did they really save fuel?
As far as driver warnings were concerned, there were more chimes than Big Ben. Traffic
sign recognition includes an overspeed warning, which had debatable success. The chime can be disabled by holding down the mute button on the steering wheel, shutting up the overspeed alert, not the sound when the car detects a new speed limit. It’s possible to turn the latter off.
Kia puts battery charge times on DC fast charging at 100kW in the Standard Range, and 127kW in the Long Range, for claimed 10 to 80 per cent recharging times of 29 and 31 minutes respectively.
AC home charging at up to 10.5kW on three-phase power, or 6.9kW on single-phase, is offered, for a claimed 10 to 100 per cent recharge time of five hours and 20 minutes, to seven hours and 15 minutes on an 11kW home wall box. The test car was timed at 60 minutes for a public station DC fast charge from 36 per cent to 96 per cent.
SUMMARY
Naturally, the Chinese generally boast more luxury for less money in their EVs. Kia’s EV3 is a competitive rival to these leaders in the small electric SUV segment.
RATINGS
Looks – 8
Performance – 7
Safety – N/A
Thirst – 7
Practicality – 7
Comfort – 6
Tech – 8
Value – 7
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range $47,600
Kia EV3 Air Long Range $53,315
Kia EV3 Earth Long Range $58,600
Kia EV3 GT-Line Long Range $63,950
Note: These prices do not include government of dealer delivery charges. Contact your Kia local dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Kia EV3 Air Standard Range,1sp auto, FWD SUV)
ENGINE
Electric motor: Front-mounted permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power 150kW 5200-9600rpm
Maximum torque: 283Nm 5000rpm
Maximum voltage: 350V
Maximum current: 306A
DRIVELINE: 1 Speed Automatic Transmission (Reduction Gear), FWD
BATTERY: Lithium ion
Capacity: 158.2Ah
Energy: 58.3kWh
PERFORMANCE:
Driving range: 436km
Energy consumption: (claimed) 18.1-19.6kWh/100km
CHARGING:
DC Fast Charge 10-80% (50kW Charger) Approx. 55m
DC Fast Charge 10-80% (350kW Charger) Approx. 29m
DC connector: CCS type 2
AC Charge 10-100% – with Portable Trickle Charger (ICCB) Approx. 23h 10m (230V 12A) (230V/12A)
AC Charge 10-100% – with 11kW Charger Approx. 5h 20m (3 Phase 230V 16A)
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 4300mm
Width: 1850mm
Height: 1560mm
Wheelbase: 2680mm:
Turning circle: 10.4m
Kerb weight: 1845kg
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Seven years / unlimited kilometres
Seven-years / 150,000 kilometres, battery
