Kia EV3 drive by Steve Rogers
Bravo
Kia! I have driven a hot contender for my car of the year.
The
electric EV3 covers just about every base whether it be space, performance,
quality or range. It seems new buyers agree because the compact SUV is
currently the UK’s best selling battery electric car.
That
said if you read comments on Facebook EV3 is the world’s ugliest car. Well, the
dramatic styling is a bit of a marmite job: you love it or hate it. I am
sitting on the fence for now, although the light signatures are stunning, but
whatever misgivings on looks are trampled into the dust by its all round
capabilities.
There
is a three model range starting at £33,005 with a 51kWh battery and a range of
270 miles, or 81kWh that could be good for an impressive 375 miles. The city
cycle is said to add another 100 miles which would be music to the ears of taxi
drivers.
My 325
miles on a full charge was the best return on any electric car I have driven
but it was during the mini heatwave so conditions for electric driving were
about perfect. Even turning on the heating made only a negligible difference to
the range; it’s a different story in a cold winter.
Using a
home wall charger is an all night job from 10 per cent to full but using the
more powerful public charging stations can get to 80 per cent in half an hour.
Enough
of the stats, what makes EV3 such an appealing car? Quite a lot but the first
thing to notice is the space. With no gearbox and handbrake mechanism the front
of the cabin is open creating an abundance of floor level storage areas,
although the lack of a conventional storage box between the front seats is a
bit of an oddity.
Instead
the two top level models have a slide out tray which looks attractive but isn’t
that practical especially when there aren’t any cup holders. They are on the
floor. It also means that apart from the glove box, which is virtually filled
with the instruction manual, there is nowhere to hide valuables.
The
dashboard is all digital laid out in Kia’s familiar ‘widescreen TV’ style with
two integrated 12.3in screens. The driver’s section is neat and clear although
I would prefer the digital speedo to be centred rather than on the side. It is
a pity the head up display is only fitted to the top model.
There
is a mass of information in the central touchscreen but it is instinctive and
easy to fathom. Physical switches for heating will satisfy those who believe
dabbing a screen is a driver distraction. My tip is to use voice control for
heating, radio selections and navigation destinations, but have postcodes on
hand for tricky Welsh place names…Bwlchgwyn is a non-starter!
For its
size EV3 is a serious family car with plenty of leg and shoulder room for three
adults across the back seat, and there will be no complaints about boot space
which has a two level floor, and there is a frunk box under the bonnet that is
big enough to take the charging cable.
Performance
is in the realms of a hot hatch of old and while the handling can’t match a
petrol or diesel it is not going to bother anyone other than a rally driver.
The penalty of lugging around a heavy battery pack is stiff suspension so be
prepared for hefty thuds over potholes but on normal surfaces the ride is fine
with very little wind or road noise.
The
level of equipment, safety features and technology are right up there even on
the entry Air model. Steering wheel paddles for regenerative braking and
slowing the car saves wear on brake pads while a new over the air app linked to
navigation reads the road making braking and speed adjustments ahead of time
without the driver needing to press the brake pedal.
Throw
that in with adaptive cruise control and you almost have a driverless car.
Electric
car sales are the best they have ever been but there is still a fair bit of
discounting so be prepared to haggle, and here’s a bonus. Two of the three EV3
models come in under £40k avoiding the new surcharge that slaps an extra £410
on road tax for five years.
In a
word EV3 is a triumph. As I said at the top of the start, bravo Kia.
Fast
facts
EV3
GT-Line
£39,495
Battery
pack: 81.4kW; 201bhp
Max
charging rate: 127.5kW
Combined
range: 367 miles
0-62mph
7.9secs; 105mph
Zero
emissions
Boot:
460-1250 litres
Insurance
group 35
Warranty: 7 years
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