Kia EV3 GT-Line S Full Review: 2025 World Car of the Year – But Why?

Join Vicki Butler-Henderson as she takes a deep dive into the Kia EV3 GT-Line S – the brand’s smallest purpose-built electric car yet. But can this compact SUV really deliver on space, range and everyday practicality?

With up to 479 miles of city range and an official combined figure of 375 miles, the EV3 aims to make electric driving genuinely stress-free. Add to that a clever interior packed with tech, V2L charging, lounge-like comfort, and even a talking horoscope feature – and you’ve got one of the most feature-rich small EVs on sale.

Built on the same platform as the EV6 and EV9, this GT-Line S version is the top-spec trim, bringing larger wheels, a premium sound system, and a long list of smart additions to make family life easier. It's no wonder the EV3 was crowned 2025 World Car of the Year – but does it live up to the title in real-world driving?

Specifications

• Battery Range: Up to 479 miles (city driving only) / up to 375 miles (combined range)
• Charging Speed: 10-80% in approximately 31 minutes
• Boot Capacity: 460 litres
• Price: From £33,000 (‘Air’ spec) up to £44,000 (‘GT-Line S’ spec)
• Power: 201bhp
• Acceleration: 7.5 seconds

Exterior

There is a clear resemblance across KIA's EV range. Striking features can be found throughout the car, including the chunky wheel arches, pistachio green paintwork and aerodynamic active air flaps. As an electric vehicle, the EV3 is associated with clever technology, and this is evident in the headlights. They are intelligent LED lights that use sensors to adjust the brightness, pattern, and direction of the beams. This, coupled with the bold styling of the headlights and brake lights, really sets the EV3 apart.

There is a smart power tailgate around the back that lets you set the opening height, so that you or the children can reach the manual control. In keeping with the theme of clever technology, you can even set the speed at which the tailgate opens, should you feel the need! A more common feature, though, is that you can open the boot without pressing a button on the key fob if you don't have a spare hand. Once you access the boot, you will find 460 litres of space waiting to be filled with shopping, luggage and so on. Need more space? Drop the split 60/40 rear seats to access up to 1,250 litres. As this is an electric car, it has a frunk with a small 25-litre storage space for charging cables. In terms of towing capacity, the EV3 can pull up to 1,000 kg.

V2L System

The EV3 can do something that not all electric cars can: power appliances such as kettles. This is called V2L (Vehicle to Load), and it allows you to power devices requiring 220V from the car. This could include power tools or an electric stove for car camping or even charging other EVs or hybrid cars. You need an adapter to make this work, or with the top-of-the-range EV3 (GT-Line S), there is a three-pin socket under the rear seats.

Wheel & Tyre Talk

The standard wheel size is 17 inches, but you can also opt for the 19-inch GT styling wheels seen in the video. They are fitted with Hankook iON evo tyres. The 'iON' name and EV icon on the sidewall indicate that the tyre is designed for electric vehicles. The iON evo has achieved a rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars on DriverReviews, based on real feedback from drivers on their performance.

Interior Design & Features

In Kia's own words, the cabin is 'lounge-like', offering a spacious and airy interior with an intuitive layout. Vicki certainly agrees, saying that the cabin feels refreshingly light. The large seats amplify the lounge-like ambience, and the moving headrests can warm or cool you via the door-based controls. KIA has really focused on using sustainable materials for the interiors of its cars wherever possible, and this is evident in the EV3. However, there are some hard plastics around the car, such as on the edges of the door panels.

There are two screens, one on the left, which is touchscreen, and one in the centre which displays all your essential information with a variety of customisable layouts. One particularly useful feature of this screen is the minimum and maximum range calculation, which is based on your driving history. Just underneath the screens is a bar with buttons for quick access to different options: Home, Map, Search, Media, Favourites and Setup.

The EV3 offers good value for money because even the base spec model comes with plenty of technology. This includes features such as cruise control and a reversing camera, as well as over-the-air updates to keep the maps and software up to date without a trip to the dealership. Its secret weapon, though, is Kia CarPay. A few other manufacturers offer something similar, and it's a really useful feature because, in conjunction with Parkopedia, it gives you access to a service that helps you find parking spaces. Together, they provide a one-stop shop for finding parking spaces across 19 European countries, all paid for with an in-car payment system, which will save you so much time.

There's also the KIA Connect app, which lets you set charging times remotely and even warm the cabin or heat the door mirrors before you've left your bed. Other notable technological features include the Harman Kardon sound system, USB-C ports, wireless charging and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity.

On the Road: Performance & Comfort

Of all the available specifications, the EV3 only has front-wheel drive and one motor. The power output is the same across the range at 200 bhp and around 300 Nm/t. This enables it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in around 7.5 seconds. According to Vicki, the EV3's power delivery and performance are perfect for its main purpose of ferrying the family through traffic and overtaking lorries on motorways. If you want more power from the car, you will have to wait until 2026, when an all-wheel drive option will be available.

There are several driving modes to choose from, starting with Eco, which does exactly what it says on the tin. Surprisingly, however, it turns the interior lighting green. Then there is the 'normal' driving mode, which changes the lighting to white; and 'sport', which, of course, turns the lighting red. Finally, there's My Drive, where you can customise the settings, including a snow mode. In sport mode, the throttle response is enhanced, and the steering is made a little lighter. At the heart of it all is Kia's global modular platform, which also underpins the EV6 and EV9.

Vicki tells us that, unlike a hot hatch, the EV3 won't scorch the tarmac, but there is a traction control button that, when turned off, allows for some cornering fun. However, the car is sure-footed with or without traction control, and this is partly thanks to its battery. Despite accounting for almost a quarter of the car's weight at 470 kg, the battery is positioned low down between the two axles, giving the car a low centre of gravity. Overall, the driving experience is a combination of sportiness and a soft, comfortable ride. Paired with its fantastic turning circle, this makes the EV3 a great option for driving around town.

Battery Range & Regenerative Braking

There are a few numbers to talk through when it comes to range. For the entire EV3 range, the official figures for the combined cycle start at 270 miles and go up to 375 miles between charges. Even more impressive is the range when driving around town: 479 miles! A 15-minute pit stop will give you an extra 125 miles of range, and if you stay plugged in for half an hour, your battery will reach 80% charge. Essentially, free charging happens when you lift off the throttle, and paddles on the steering wheel let you choose between set levels of regenerative braking.

Vicki’s Verdict

“This car won’t stir your soul when the pace warms up, but it has got an awful lot going for it”.

It is fair to say that the EV3 impressed Vicki as she says it looks fantastic, reminds us it has a 7-year warranty, and an eight-year warranty for the battery, it is well priced and can go a long way between charges. Might this be a perfect EV solution for you and the family? If the KIA EV3 isn’t quite your cup of tea, the alternatives are the Volvo EX30, Hyundai Kona Electric, or the Skoda Elroq.

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