Since the first Daimler-Benz (or was it Renault?) wheezed out of a shed to usher in the age of motorised transport — performance has been tethered to the limits of internal combustion. Each new engine found a little more power, a bit less thirst — inching forward with every generation.
Then along came electric vehicles and flipped the whole thing on its head.
The first generation of EVs, led by Tesla, didn’t just match petrol cars — they blew them into the weeds. Ludicrous acceleration, rollercoaster torque, and enough tech to shame a fighter jet. It was electrifying, literally, but also energy-intensive. Big performance meant big batteries, big weight, and big price tags. Great for headlines, but hardly commuter-friendly.
Kia’s new EV3 is something else entirely.
Instead of trying to win the traffic light Grand Prix, Kia’s aimed for balance. The EV3 delivers performance on par with its petrol-powered peers — nothing more, nothing less. And that’s the point. This isn’t an electric revolution in neon – it’s a quiet evolution, carefully engineered to make electrification feel normal.
By limiting power to just enough, Kia has been able to shrink the battery, cut the weight, and extend the range. It’s not about eking out every last kilometre — it’s about making sure you don’t need to worry about it. This is an EV that doesn’t demand a lifestyle change. Just plug it in when convenient and go.
Inside, the EV3 is clean and cleverly packaged, with the usual Kia mix of intuitive tech and sensible layout. No gimmicks, no Tesla-style minimalism for the sake of it — just a small SUV that happens to run on electrons. Think of it as an electric Seltos, without the noise, vibration or tailpipe.
The real win here is confidence. Buyers dipping their toes into the EV waters will find the EV3 familiar, unthreatening, and perfectly fit for the urban and suburban sprawl. It won’t scare the neighbours or break the budget.
No drag-strip dreams, no battery anxiety — just a car. And for many Australians still unsure about going electric, that might be exactly what’s needed.
Spec Snapshot – Kia EV3
| Specification | Details |
| Model | Kia EV3 (Base spec, est. Australian release early 2025) |
| Drivetrain | Single motor, front-wheel drive |
| Battery | ~58 kWh lithium-ion (Standard) |
| Power | ~150 kW (201 hp) |
| Torque | ~310 Nm |
| 0–100 km/h | Approx. 7.5 seconds |
| Range | ~410 km (WLTP estimate) |
| Charging | 10–80% in ~31 mins (DC fast charging) |
| Efficiency | ~14.1 kWh/100km (WLTP) |
| Wheels | 18-inch alloys (likely standard in AU) |
| Infotainment | Dual 12.3-inch screens + Kia Connected Services |
| Boot Space | 460 litres (approx., seats up) |
| Price (Est.) | $55,000 plus on-road costs |