Whats the vibe?
Kia’s on a bit of a roll. First, they gave Aussies the EV6, then the EV5 and EV9, and now they’ve brought some of that boxy style down to the smaller EV3. It’s pitched as the “compact, affordable” member of the Kia electric family, though “affordable” and "EV" can often feel like an oxymoron.
The EV3 is aimed squarely at people who like the idea of going electric but don’t want a massive SUV, and also don't want to leap towards an unfamiliar, newer brand. It comes in four options: the base Air, the Air Long Range, the Earth and finally the GT-Line, all front-wheel drive, all with Kia’s signature EV design. In theory, the EV3 is the car that makes EV ownership less intimidating. In reality? It depends on how much you’re willing to pay for your slice of the future.
Smooth and comfortablw as a daily car
Safety tech that is mostly seamless
Decent driving range
Some odd storage like low cupholders
Performance is just “okay”
High end variants are too pricey
The EV3 isn’t the “cheap” EV some people might’ve hoped for, but it is one of the most polished, well-rounded electric SUVs you can buy under $70k. It looks sharp, feels premium inside, drives smoothly, and offers genuinely great range, especially in the Long Range versions.
If you want the badge prestige of a Volvo or Tesla, this won’t do it. But if you just want a high-quality, dependable EV that’s easier to live with than most of the competition, Kia’s EV3 is a good all-rounder.
Overall, we would recommend this car if:
You want an electric car that's a bit different
You're looking for something smaller than big electric SUVs
You want a brand that is familiar
