Steve Fowler takes the new Kia EV3 for a spin in Los Angeles to find out why it's everyone's favourite new electric vehicle.Kia have steamed ahead of the bigger manufacturers with their EV offerings and in the EV3, Steve finds that the Korean manufacturer is cementing that reputation with a decent build quality, good charge range and an attractive package all-round.Watch more reviews with The Independent's EV section.
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00:00Happy 10th EV birthday, Kia.
00:03It was 10 years ago that they bought the Kia Soul to market.
00:06Since then, we've had Souls, we've had Niros, we've had EV6s, EV9s,
00:11the latter a World Car of the Year last year.
00:14And now this, the new Kia EV3.
00:18And this car is just going on sale in the UK.
00:20It's already won a hat full of awards.
00:23People are loving it. But why?
00:31So why is everybody raving about the Kia EV3?
00:34OK, let's start with some stats.
00:36The price, it starts at £32,995.
00:40Let's not get hooked up on list prices.
00:42Everybody pays monthly and the monthlies will be fairly affordable, I'm sure.
00:46£32,995 gets you a 58kWh battery and that car will go 270 miles.
00:52Not bad.
00:53But for £35,995, you can get an 81kWh battery and that car will go 375 miles.
01:03And in my experience with Kias, they tend to do what they say on the tin.
01:08Unlike so many other cars that the ranges are realistic
01:12and the mileage tends to drop with the miles passed.
01:15Not as some cars do, they just disappear at what seems to be twice the pace.
01:20So a realistic range, I reckon, 350 miles.
01:24Maybe a little less in the cold, but that is seriously good for £35,995.
01:29You will not go further for less money, which is impressive.
01:33You can spend £43,895 on a car with that bigger battery, the long range,
01:38and that's a GT Line S. That car comes with a heat pump.
01:41Shame all cars don't come with a heat pump.
01:43But hey, you've got to cut the cloth accordingly, haven't you?
01:47What else do I like about this car?
01:49Do you know what? It's just really, really nice to drive.
01:53It's really comfortable on these pretty ropey California freeways.
01:58The car rides really nicely.
02:00It's relatively quiet as most EVs are.
02:03Visibility is good. Forwards, big mirrors, good visibility.
02:07Out the back as well.
02:09And there's lots of space. There's lots of headroom.
02:12I could sit behind myself. There's enough legroom if I could possibly do that.
02:16So it's going to be easy for the family.
02:18The boots are a good size.
02:20And in here, you've got a twin 12-inch display screen.
02:24And yes, you've got separate buttons for the heating.
02:27You haven't got to delve into menus to try and adjust the temperature.
02:31Quality is pretty good too.
02:34Styling, you can decide on that.
02:37Personally, I think it looks modern.
02:39It's a nice development of the EV9, the 7-seater, and the EV6.
02:45Talking about the EV6, there's so much space in the back of this.
02:48And it's just so nice to drive.
02:50Do you know what? I don't think I'd bother with the EV6, but don't tell Kia.
02:55So, yeah, by and large, I think I'm falling in love with the EV3 too.
03:01So what do I think about the Kia EV3?
03:03Well, I'll be honest, it really is very, very good.
03:07It ticks so many boxes.
03:08It's got loads of space. It's got loads of kit.
03:11It goes a long way as well.
03:12Price, I think it looks good too.
03:14I mentioned at the start, the 2024 World Car of the Year was the Kia EV9.
03:19Could it be a double for Kia?
03:21Could this be World Car of the Year for 2025?
03:25That's what I'm here judging.
03:26And do you know what? It's so good, I reckon it stands a really good chance.