Kia continues to expand its electric vehicle (EV) lineup with the highly anticipated 2025 Kia EV3, arriving in Australia this month. Designed as a direct competitor to the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona Electric and Volvo EX30, the EV3 introduces a stylish, tech-filled, and practical compact SUV that blends affordability with innovation.
The EV3 is built on a simplified 400V version of Kia’s E-GMP platform and comes in three trim levels: Air, Earth, and GT-Line. The Air variant offers two battery options (Standard Range and Long Range), while Earth and GT-Line are equipped exclusively with the Long Range battery.

Kia EV3 Pricing in Australia
Kia EV3 prices started from $48,990 drive-away for the Air Standard Range variant.
Performance, Battery, and Range
The EV3 is front-wheel drive across all variants, utilizing a single electric motor producing 150 kW of power and 283 Nm of torque. It offers two battery sizes:
- 58.3 kWh (Standard Range) – 436 km WLTP range.
- 81.4 kWh (Long Range) – Up to 604 km WLTP range (Air variant), 563 km for Earth and GT-Line.

The EV3 features the iPedal 3.0 regenerative braking system, allowing one-pedal driving with customizable regenerative braking levels. Notably, these settings persist even after the vehicle is restarted and function in reverse mode, enhancing efficiency.
Aerodynamics also play a crucial role, with the EV3 boasting a drag coefficient of 0.263 Cd—beating the Hyundai Kona Electric (0.27), Volvo EX30 (0.28), and Kia Seltos (0.33).
Exterior Design and Features
Kia maintains its futuristic design language in the EV3, featuring Star Map lighting and a Tiger Face front-end design. The GT-Line trim stands out with a sportier grille and aggressive styling.
The Kia EV3 is 4.3m long, about the same size as the Kia Seltos SUV, and slightly shorter than its electric cousin the Kia Niro EV (4.42m).

All models come with flush door handles, while wheel sizes vary by trim:
- 17-inch alloy wheels for Air.
- 19-inch alloy wheels for Earth and GT-Line.
Interior and Technology
Inside, Kia has crafted a home-like atmosphere with soft-touch materials, a minimalistic dashboard, and a mix of physical buttons and digital screens for ease of use. Unlike Tesla and Volvo, Kia retains physical controls for cruise control, entertainment, navigation, and drive mode selection.
Infotainment & Connectivity
Every Kia EV3 comes equipped with:
- 12.3-inch digital driver cluster
- 5.3-inch climate monitor
- 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Kia’s ccNC interface
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Over-the-air (OTA) updates
- Wireless phone charging
- Kia Connect remote access
- Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality (includes a connector kit)
- Column-mounted shift-by-wire gear selector
Premium Features (Earth & GT-Line)
- Smart power tailgate
- Head-up display (GT-Line only)
- Sunroof with safety function (GT-Line only)
- Harman Kardon 8-speaker premium sound system (GT-Line only)

Safety Features
Kia prioritizes safety across all EV3 variants. Key safety tech includes:
- Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2) – combines adaptive cruise control and lane centering
- A center side airbag – enhancing side-impact protection
Sustainability & Interior Materials
Kia continues its eco-friendly approach with recycled materials for the dashboard and door trims. The seats, headliner, floor mats, and luggage board are made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), one of the most easily recyclable plastics.

The EV3 offers three interior color schemes:
Trim | Seat Material | Color Options |
Air | Cloth | Subtle Grey |
Earth | Artificial Leather | Subtle Grey / Light Warm Grey |
GT-Line | Artificial Leather | Medium Grey |
Cargo Space & Practicality
With a focus on practicality, the EV3 provides 460 liters of cargo space in the rear and an additional 25 liters in the front storage area (frunk). It also features a two-tier storage board, offering 140 mm of load height flexibility.
For comparison:
- Hyundai Kona Electric – 466L
- Volvo EX30 – 318L (+7L front storage)
- BYD Atto 3 – 440L
- Kia Niro – 475L
- Kia Seltos (petrol) – 433L
Final Thoughts: A Strong EV Contender
The 2025 Kia EV3 arrives as a well-equipped, highly practical small electric SUV. With competitive pricing, strong range figures, and Kia’s reputation for reliability, the EV3 is set to be a strong contender in the growing Australian EV market.
For those looking for an affordable yet feature-packed EV, the Kia EV3 stands out as an exciting option. With deliveries starting this month, it will be interesting to see how it stacks up against rivals in the real world. Stay tuned for test drive reviews and further insights!
What do you think of the Kia EV3? Does it stand out against its competitors? Let us know your thoughts!
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