Kia has been steadily carving out a dominant space in the EV world, and the arrival of the 2025 Kia EV3 pushes the brand further into mainstream adoption.
Slotting beneath the EV5, EV6, and EV9, the EV3 is pitched as an accessible, compact SUV that doesn’t force buyers to compromise on style, practicality, or technology.
The variant on test here – the Earth Long Range – sits in the middle of the lineup. It offers more creature comforts than the entry-level Air, while avoiding the full indulgence (and price tag) of the GT-Line.
With its bold design, generous 81.4kWh battery, and local ride and handling tuning, the Earth looks like the sweet spot. The question is; does it cut through and tempt Australians away from not-too-distant rivals like the Hyundai Kona Electric, Volvo EX30, and Tesla Model Y?
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: Specifications
Battery: 81.4kWh
Output: 150kW / 283Nm
Gearbox: Single-speed reduction gear
Drive type: Front-wheel drive
Wheels: F & R: 19×7.5, 215/50
ANCAP: Five stars
Kerb weight: 1810kg
Power-to-weight: 12.06:1 (kg:kW)
Official range (WLTP): 563km
Max charging AC/DC: 11kW/350kW0-60km/h: 3.66 seconds*
0-100km/h: 7.33 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.90 seconds*
1/4 mile: 15.49 seconds at 148.2km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.692g*
100-0km/h braking: 36.14m in 2.80 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.317g*
Starting price: $58,600
*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: How much does it cost?
The 2025 Kia EV3 range opens at $47,600 for the entry-level Air Standard Range and peaks at $63,950 for the GT-Line. The Earth Long Range splits the difference with a sticker price of $58,600 (before on-road costs). That positions it neatly where a growing number of compact EV SUVs now live.
Direct comparisons are telling. The Tesla Model Y Rear-Wheel Drive kicks off from the high-$50k range, while the Volvo EX30 starts at around the $60k mark. Hyundai’s Kona Electric, meanwhile, runs from the mid-$50k to $71k range depending on spec, making the EV3 quite competitive.
Ownership is backed by Kia’s seven-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, which continues to outshine some rivals. The battery system itself is covered for 150,000km. Servicing is annually or every 15,000km. Kia also offers capped-price servicing for $674 for three years, $1285 for five years, or $1897 for seven years. For ongoing peace of mind, Kia also includes roadside assistance for the first year, renewable up to eight years if serviced through its dealer network.
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: Interior & packaging
This cabin feels both futuristic and homely. Kia leans heavily on its “Opposites United” design language, and here it strikes a balance between clean minimalism and everyday usability. Twin 12.3-inch screens dominate the dash – one for the digital instrument cluster and another for infotainment – flanked by a useful 5.0-inch display for climate functions.
The infotainment system runs Kia’s latest ccNC operating system with over-the-air updates, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and Kia Connect services. Menu navigation is more intuitive than some newcomers on the market, and the screen graphics are crisp and modern.
We love how there is a row of air-con buttons so you can quickly change settings without the need to enter into separate menus with multiple clicks. Connectivity is all here, with USB-C ports front and rear, wireless charging, and even a V2L (vehicle-to-load) system that can power laptops or camping gear. The Harman Kardon premium audio system is reserved for the GT-Line, but the Earth’s six-speaker setup produces decent clarity.
Practicality is a strong point. Thanks to the dedicated EV platform, the EV3 offers a spacious cabin for its compact footprint. Adults in both rows get generous legroom and headroom, with a flat floor improving comfort for middle-seat passengers, and the steering column-mounted gear selector clears up console space.
The boot measures a generous 460 litres, backed up by an additional 25-litre ‘frunk’. Folding the rear seats expands the space to 1251L, giving the EV3 versatility beyond its class.
Creature comforts on the Earth include heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and a smart power tailgate. Materials feel solid, with soft-touch surfaces and sustainable trims used throughout. Kia has leaned into recycled materials as well, including fabrics derived from fishing nets and PET bottles, without compromising tactility.
Safety is also comprehensive. Standard kit includes Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), adaptive cruise control with lane centring, blind-spot monitoring, forward collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and a full suite of airbags – seven in total, including a centre side airbag.
From the outside, the EV3 carries Kia’s bold “Star Map” lighting design, a squat stance, and hidden rear door handles for a slicker profile. It rides on 19-inch alloys, larger than the Air’s 17s, and balances premium touches without tipping into the sportier aggression of the GT-Line. The end result is an EV that bedazzles on the road with its futuristic cues.
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: Powertrain & handling
Under its modern skin, the EV3 Earth uses Hyundai-Kia’s familiar E-GMP platform in a compact, front-drive configuration. Power comes from a single 150kW/283Nm motor paired with the larger 81.4kWh Long Range lithium-ion battery.
This setup provides a WLTP driving range of 563km, which is excellent for the segment and comfortably ahead of many similarly-priced rivals. And its refreshing to see that these ranges are realistic to achieve. Our travels saw similar ranges. Typically with EVs, you will notice the figure will reduce when faster highway driving is the dominant usage.
More broadly, it highlights the need to fully understand the real-world capabilities of EVs like the EV3 when mapping out longer journeys – particularly in Australia, where the charging infrastructure still lags well behind the convenience of refuelling a combustion-engine-powered vehicle.
Depending solely on the public charging network can be frustrating, with outages occurring more frequently than petrol pumps, queues being common, and the overall number of chargers still far fewer. On top of that, recharging simply takes longer than a quick fuel stop. Installing a home charger will greatly improve day-to-day usability.
For EV standards, performance is brisk rather than thrilling. But compared with petrol engine equivalents, performance is good. This variant does 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.9 seconds, and we tested it in 7.33 seconds. It feels punchy, as EVs usually do, but not overly sudden or jolty like some EVs. This offers a smooth yet strong sense of acceleration if you want it.
More impressive is the efficiency, rated at 16.2kWh/100km, which makes the EV3 one of the more energy-conscious electric SUVs on sale. Charging is via a Type 2 or CCS2 port, with up to 350kW DC fast-charging capability, allowing 10–80 per cent top-ups in about 31 minutes. At home or in the office on an 11kW AC wall box, a full recharge will take around eight hours.
On the road, Kia Australia’s local suspension tuning comes to the party again. The EV3 Earth feels composed across both city streets and country highways. There’s a reassuring sense of grip, and body roll is well contained for an SUV.
The steering has a natural weight, and in Sport mode, the EV3 feels responsive without being twitchy. Ride comfort is also commendable within EV standards. But no finer tuning can wish away the inevitable weighty feel that comes with all electric vehicles – this weighs 1810kg. Compared to fossil fuel SUVs, it hits potholes with a heavier crash, and it can’t quite shift its weight from left to right as agilely. But for what most buyers are going to expect from it, this is a well-balanced EV.
A highlight is the ‘iPedal 3.0’ regenerative braking system, which enables true one-pedal driving. The system is customisable, holds its settings even after restarting, and works in reverse gear. It’s intuitive in operation and adds to the EV3’s efficiency and ease-of-driving edge. The adaptive cruise and lane assist also work smoother than less mature brands on the market. It follows the car ahead with more consistent acceleration and braking, creating a more stable environment.
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: Key attractions/reasons to buy
- Class-leading range: 563km WLTP range in the Earth spec is competitive, but the lower spec model goes even further with 604km.
- Stylish, futuristic design: Inside and out, the EV3’s design is eye-catching with premium touches and distinctive Kia themes.
- Practical and spacious: The cabin feels roomy for a small SUV. And air-con controls have dedicated buttons – rare in EVs – making it less distracting to make common adjustments. Big 460L boot, too.
- Excellent safety suite: It gets the works, and it all works well. The semi-autonomous driving aids feel properly tested and less jerky than many rivals.
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: Key considerations before you buy
- Front-wheel drive only: No dual-motor AWD option for conditions with less traction. Maybe a ‘GT’ variant in the works?
- Still a large premium over fossil-fuelled equivalents: With a $58k price, that’s a huge $20k+ step up from, say, the mid-spec Kia Seltos FWD (Sport+ is $37,550).
- Public charging infrastructure: You will be at a significant inconvenience if you need to rely on the public charging network solely. Get a home charger if you can.
2025 Kia EV3 Earth Long Range: Video
How does it rate against its rivals?
- Price
- Quality look & feel
- Interior tech
- Powertrain performance
- Ride & handling
- X factor (does it stand out in its class?)
Final word
The EV3 Earth Long Range hits a real sweet spot in Australia’s small EV SUV market. It combines impressive range, strong safety credentials, a comfortable and tech-laden cabin, and pricing that stays competitive against its main rivals. We’d love to see a top-spec ‘GT’ version with twin-motor AWD.
