KEY TO SUCCESS: New EV3 could be the most important vehicle Kia has ever produced

THIS is the new, fully electric Kia EV3, the latest vehicle to join the Korean company’s ranks.

And this compact SUV is not just the most important model for Kia in 2025, it could easily be the most important vehicle in the company’s history.

President and CEO Paul Philpott of Kia UK said: “We expect the EV3 will become our best-selling EV of all time. It’s a game-changer for us.”

At fist glance, it looks very similar to the seven-seater Kia EV9.

But the new EV3 is a lot smaller so it is much easier to maneuver in tight spaces in town or a down a narrow country lane.

It’s family-sized with room inside for five people, measuring 4,300mm long, 1,850mm wide, 1,560mm high with a 2,680mm wheelbase.

And it comes with a large 460- litre boot and up to 1,250 litres if you drop the seats down, plus an additional 25 litres of storage space under the bonnet.

The Kia EV3 comes with two battery options, a 58.3kWh version that offers a range up to 270mile and a 81.4kWh long-range model that provides up to an estimated 375mile.

Both models use a a 150kW electric motor to power the front wheels and with 201bhp and 283Nm of instant torque, the EV3 is pretty lively.

From a standing start, 0-62mph takes 7.5secs with a maximum speed of 105mph and despite its boxy dimensions, the EV3 has a low drag coefficient of 0.263 Cd.

There’s no dual-motor version like in the EV9 or the bonkers EV6 GT.

But the EV3’s smaller dimensions makes it feel nimble through corners, there’s plenty of grip too, and it’s fun to drive.

It’s also very comfortable, with heated and air-cooled seats up front  plus heated rear seats too that made the long trip back to the airport very enjoyable, so much so I almost nodded off.

Kia never skimp on kit either.

The list of equipment is impressive, with nearly 30 inches of widescreen display, consisting of a 12.3-inch central infotainment, a five-inch air-conditioning panel below, and another 12.3-inch digital display for the driver.

It’s not all touchscreen though as there are toggle switches for the heating and many of the EV3’s functions including drive mode, cruise control, entertainment, and the sat-nav can be accessed and controlled via the steering wheel buttons.

With sustainability in mind, the dash and door trims are covered in recycled fabric, polyethylene terephthalate is used in the seats, headliner, door armrests, garnish, floor mats, and luggage board.

The EV3 is also loaded with the latest Advanced Driving Assistance Systems including eDTVC Electric Dynamic Torque Vectoring Control, Forward Collision-Avoidance, Lane Keeping Assist, Highway Driving Assist, and Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist.

The all-new EV3 starts from £32,995 and up to £43,995 for the range-topping GT-Line S model.

Plus it comes with Kia’s super 7-year/100,000mile warranty and a 8-year warranty for the battery.