Kia has something to celebrate this Christmas as it continues to carve out a big slice of Britain’s BEV sales, a decade after launching into it with the Soul EV.
At the time 10 years ago, Frozen was trending at the box-office, Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’ rang out across radios worldwide, and social media was awash with ALS ‘Ice Bucket Challenge’ videos.
Over the years Kia has added 70,000 BEVs to UK roads with the EV6, Niro EV, EV9 and now puts the compact SUV EV3 into showrooms as it rolls out a plan to produce nine fully electric vehicles into the UK by 2027. That also includes at least one pure electric van which will take them into a new sector and deliver even more problems for their CV competitors.
Today’s EV3 is being launched at about the same price as the Soul EV after adjusting for inflation and comprises not the single model of the predecessor’s series but three grades and five variants based on Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S trims with 58.3kWh or 81.4kWh powertrains in the entry and top models while the mid-range gets only the long range pack. The GT-Line S also gets a heat pump for optimal performance from the bigger battery and a higher specification of equipment.
All get the standard Kia 7 years and 100,000 miles transferable warranty with zero deposit finance at 3.9% APR while existing Kia customers benefit from a £1,000 deposit contribution as well.
Prices rise from £32,995 and £35,995 on Air models, £39.495 for the sole GT-Line and onto £42,995 for the top model and £43,895 for the version with the Heat Pump.
Depending on the grade and variant, charged miles run to 270 miles at least to 375 miles with the anticipated best selling mid-range GT-Line good for 367 miles on test.
Kia UK president Paul Philpott said at the EV3 launch in Gloucestershire this week they anticipated it will become their best seller, “Having repeatedly called for smaller, more affordable long-range and practical electric cars, EV3 is resounding proof that Kia has listened to this and delivered.”
Outwardly similar styling cues to the range topping EV9 are matched inside by highlights which could have come from the medium sized EV6 or smaller Niro EV.
We briefly evaluated the EV3 GT-Line which had 19-inch wheels, privacy glass, wireless charging and LED headlights included in its specification at just under £39,500.
It’s a lot of money but you get the impression this is a striking design inside and out with a lot of practical features at your fingertips which will be useful.
That includes five selectable driving modes to stretch economy, make the most of power underfoot or even go gingerly on slippery surfaces, and even mix them up a bit. Using different modes over our route on country roads and lanes were saw an indicted 304 miles range, which is very good.
It looks spacious rather than sporty and was comfortable with room for five at a push, while the handling was good even though it tended to roll around tighter turns it stayed planted on the tarmac.
The long range model developed 201bhp and suggests a 105mph maximum with 0-62mph taking 7.9 seconds and it should be 81% charged from 10% base in about 31 mins.
We found the Air long range to be spritelier and felt more agile for some reason as well as smoother riding on 17-inch as opposed to the 19-inch shod wheel and tyres of the GT-Line. It’s seat trim was a more basic plain upholstery and the interior had fewer highlight on the door and fascia but we could live with it very well.
It has duo 12.3-inch driver and infotainment touchscreens which fill the fascia, heated front seats and steering wheel, parking sensors and reversing camera and numerous dynamic safety systems.
Kia hope to sell over 10,200 EV3 models in the UK in a full year with retail sales taking about a third and half will be GT-Line. However, in the business and fleet/ rental sector accunting for two-thirds of total sales the GT-Line is likely to take over half registrations and 28% will be the top GT-Line S with 16% going out as Air specification for runabouts.
