byGrace Buchan/2 July 2025/inElectric Vehicle News, Kia News

You’re Sleeping on the Kia EV3

Consider this your wake-up call: the all-new Kia EV3 has arrived, and it’s everything a modern electric SUV should be. Bold yet approachable, efficient yet powerful, tech-packed yet refreshingly simple. The EV3 proves you don’t need to sacrifice style or substance to drive electric.

Kia’s latest compact EV brings strong range, fast charging, and a spacious, intuitive cabin to the table, all wrapped in a futuristic design that feels confident without shouting. It’s clean, clever, and designed for real life, it’s ready for wherever yours takes you.

Below is the official press release from Kia New Zealand, covering everything you need to know about this award-winning electric SUV, from its impressive range and features to why it’s already turning heads on Kiwi roads.

2025 World Car of the Year available in New Zealand

Fresh from claiming the World Car of the Year title, Red Dot ‘Best of the Best’ award winner* and Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year, the new Kia EV3 is set to be the perfect choice for Kiwi motorists seeking a fully electric, technologically advanced, medium-size SUV capable of more than 600km^ on a single charge.

Earning the moniker of ‘the ultimate urban SUV,’ the EV3 has arrived in New Zealand and is available at Kia dealerships nationwide.

“The new Kia EV3 has debuted to outstanding reviews all around the globe, including winning numerous awards and accolades, most notably the World Car of the Year,” said Managing Director of Kia New Zealand, Todd McDonald.

“It is following in the footsteps of our flagship EV9, not just in terms of awards won, but also incorporating the same striking styling, featuring similar advancements in technology and connectivity, bringing cutting-edge innovation to a wider audience than ever before and setting new standards in the segment.

“It boasts a bold, progressive exterior and an innovative, practical interior that maximises space, functionality, and comfort.

“Impressively, it is also tuned for Australian and New Zealand conditions. A team of Kia engineers conducted more than 20,000km of local testing and their efforts have delivered a vehicle which feels right at home in our environment thanks to a unique combination of hardware and shock absorber settings, meaning the new EV3 really is the ultimate urban SUV.”

Headlining the new EV3 is its impressive battery and range capability. At the heart of the Long Range models is the key to its untold functionality, a large 81.4 kWh Lithium-Ion battery.

In the case of the EV3 Light Long Range, the new model is capable of an all electric driving range of up to 605km^ WLTP – the largest range of any Kia model currently available for sale.** (The Light Short Range utilises a smaller 58.3 kWh capacity battery and offers a driving range of 436km WLTP).

All variants are equipped with a 150kW/283Nm electric motor, which integrates with an inverter and reduction gearbox to form a single unit mounted at the front of the vehicle.

All EV3 models offer two Vehicle to Load outlets as standard, enabling electric devices to draw on the power supplied by the car’s battery, allowing for operational capability wherever it may be.

All models can be replenished at a 350kW DC fast-charger from 10% to 80% in an average of 30 minutes.

From first glance, the Kia EV3 makes a bold, progressive statement in terms of exterior styling. Its appearance is in keeping with the larger EV9 and sports Kia’s acclaimed ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy.

The aesthetic offers benefits from both form and function perspectives: its aerodynamic shape contributes to a drag coefficient of 0.26, enhancing the car’s ability to cut through the air smoothly and contribute to an extended driving range.

Depending on the model selected, three different styles of alloy wheels are available, in either 17-inch (Light) or 19-inch (Earth and GT-Line). All wheels are designed to promote smooth airflow over the vehicle’s sides, further enhancing overall efficiency.

The interior is similarly futuristic and breathtaking in its simplicity, the cabin itself is an example of luxurious minimalism.

The EV3 continues to leverage the packaging benefits of the E-GMP platform to optimise interior space within a compact exterior, benefitting legroom, shoulder room and headroom.

Taking pride of place on the dashboard in all variants is a large and intuitive-to-learn Panoramic Display screen, which measures in at 29.6-inches.

Additionally, both EV3 Earth and GT-Line feature a full colour 12-inch Head-up Display, a heated steering wheel and heated front seats (also ventilated on the GT-Line).

Luggage capacity is a generous 460-litres, which extends to 1,251-litres with the seats down. A 25-litre frunk is perfect for storing the charging cable, or smaller items which need to be readily accessible.

Following in the footsteps of the flagship EV9 and larger EV5, this highly anticipated SUV is the latest model in the Kia line-up to be awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating, demonstrating the marque’s prioritisation of safety for customers.

The driver and passengers are kept safe thanks to the inclusion of the same Advanced Driving Assistance Systems and Vehicle Dynamics found in the EV9, including Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Follow Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go as well as numerous other systems as standard.

The level of technology on offer extends to seamless integration between the new EV3 and mobile phones. Thanks to the Kia Connect app, there are nine different vehicle functions that can be applied to the new EV3, including Remote Climate Control, Remote Lock, EV Charging Locations and Status as well as Real-time Vehicle Tracking. This innovative technology is available for free for the first five years of ownership

The Kia EV3 is available in six exterior colours across the line-up, spanning Clear White (Light trims only), Snow White Pearl (Earth and GT-Line exclusive), Aventurine Green, Ivory Silver, Shale Grey and Aurora Black Pearl.

A ‘Kia Confidence’ package, a feature of all models in the EV3 range, delivers enhanced peace of mind and consists of a seven-year/ 150,000km manufacturing warranty, eight-year/ 160,000km battery warranty, five-year roadside assistance and five-year Kia Connect and Over the Air updates.

Available now at Miles Kia

We’re proud to offer the award-winning Kia EV3 right here at Miles Kia. Whether you’re already driving electric or exploring your options, the EV3 is well worth a test drive. It’s a vehicle that delivers on every front, from sustainability and performance to design and value.

Ready to see what all the excitement is about? Visit Miles Kia in Christchurch and take the Kia EV3 for a drive. Discover for yourself why it’s been named the 2025 World Car of the Year and why it could be the perfect next step in your driving journey.

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