Does this fix the problems with EVs? 2025 Kia EV3 review

[@gidonzd]

Best review I've seen in years! Hilarious and honest. You've earned a subscriber!!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thank you!

[@philipbassett5129]

On the face of it, this is going to be the car that convinces me to move from an ICE car to an EV. Over 300 real world miles range, in something not the size of a minibus and on the second hand market in three years time, probably £20K ish, that’s all I need to make the move.

[@addsfour3499]

That and the fact that you should drive ev to help save the planet

[@addsfour3499]

This is probably one of the few EV out there to give the Chinese a run for its money. Good combination of cute, practical and not too expensive. Very well equipped too

[@DontPanicDear]

Loved the vanishing ‘KIA in the mist’ shot at 16.17s 🤓 Tucking the rear wiper under the spoiler is spot on 👍🏻 9.5 is mega 😮

[@markbloxham1313]

My daughter has just ordered one through the company she works for.

[@aye3678]

Great choice! She's going to love it!

[@aldo34]

Me too! Comes a week on Monday - excited

[@robev809]

As an e-niro owner from 2019 to present, I recently went to a Kia launch event for the EV3. I sat in the back after adjusting the driver seat for myself and it actually has LESS rear legroom than our e-niro. However the larger battery and increased range (though efficiency no better) is a good thing.

[@justjosh11]

Thanks, interesting to hear your opinions on it. JUST got my company car list on Friday and it included the long range air spec EV3 and I am sorely tempted! Might see if i can push them up to the Gt-line spec although unfortunately I still won't get the heat pump.

[@ISuperTed]

It’s just appeared on my company list too, but the lease price is really high, more than a Model Y for the long range one. That’s a shame, as it’s £10k cheaper on list price. Might get cheaper over time, but too much at the moment.

[@JulianTaylor-o7h]

Morning Mr Rodie aka Tangarine Ball Bag! Great to watch this. My orange GT Line arrives end of the month. I drew all the same conclusions as you, decent range, great price, nice to drive with a great ride and best of all under £40k so no stupid tax to pay to Mrs Reeves! This is a gamechanger and is the first EV that I could seriously consider. I might be a slight mentalist changing from an M440i but with the driving I do its a no brainer. Loved the Beemer but where can you seriously use it on british roads? Kia are a great company and they are so far ahead of the Germans when it comes to tech and electrification. Great video, happy to do an owner view with you in a few months.

[@Kay_Emm_]

Mornin' Mr. Rodie and everyone watching ^^

[@DMulabiTalejan]

Nice... looks like the rear seat passengers sit higher and can see over the front seat passengers, which is nice

[@Matthersch77]

Thanks for another great review. I just read that the Niro EV isn’t available in some regions now… 😄

[@Juliussen2670]

In Denmark heat pump is included on all versions .. Lucky us.

[@aye3678]

I totally agree with your rating. I would give it the same too. However, I wish they would have actually put a green colour as an option not this mint icecream colour. Feel like this car would look great with some bright colours.

[@rasch19785]

Sure about the heat pump? The configurator allows you to select the heatpump on the mid tier "earth" models .

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

In the UK? We don’t get the earth model in the UK and heat pump is only on GT Line S as an option.

[@rogerfroud300]

Yeah, a heat pump would be nice, but in the UK, it's never that hot or cold. An electric heater when you have a large battery isn't such an issue. However, the lack of Tesla's NACS connector is a real negative.

[@itr81]

The NACS connector is right underneath the CCS connector but it’s covered by a plastic cover. There is Korean GTLine video that shows the connector.

[@stephenclutton]

Good review, thanks for that. I'm really interested in this as a replacement for a Model Y that isn't ageing well. (Plus I'm not keen on having products from people who are generally unpleasant)

[@atlaspath5803]

How is e Model Y aging not well?

[@stephenclutton]

@@atlaspath5803 it's mainly about the creaking suspension which is a bit of a known thing on them. It's very embarrassing in supermarket carparks with people staring at you as you drive past.

[@t4bs594]

Having driven an EV for 5 years, I wasn't aware that there is a problem with EVs. There is a problem with EV reviewers, however.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Here we go

[@logant6490]

You started it ​@@TimRodieDrivesStuff

[@neilrwilliams218]

The auto regen setting might be shared with BMW but I've got the same on my 2022 Kia Soul.

[@chris-townson]

Does the Air spec have the same suspension setup as the one in the test?

[@mikegipson1224]

Great review :)

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Thank you!

[@dr_electrick]

I agree with every word you said.⚡️

[@Duskepuden]

"I'm a professional..." 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It’s all relative 😂

[@V_Dubya]

It’s tough to namecheck the Volvo in comparison. Its reliability is absolute junk . Kia are going to dominate with this car

[@Wellspicedchaffinch]

You obviously are not in the UK Facebook groups for Kia and Volvo. Kia EVs are absolutely riddled with issues and people are extremely dissatisfied. Tyres out of stock nationally (TYRES ffs) - constant charging issues - numerous faults - people sending cars back constantly. Dealers are poor etc etc. General consensus: don't buy a Kia. Volvo meanwhile seems pretty good.

[@JonasDavidsson]

​@@WellspicedchaffinchI'm on my second Kia EV (Nero and now EV6) and I've had 0 issues. That's not to say that EV6 has had some issues. Faulty 12 volt battery, ICCU issues etc. The ICCU was mainly for 21/22 models but the 12 volt issue seems still to be around. Whilst I've had 0 issues.

[@monaq9411]

​@Wellspicedchaffinch I think in my experience I cannot agree with you. I am totally satisfying with Kia ev.

[@addsfour3499]

Only if you dont let China in

[@addsfour3499]

@@Wellspicedchaffinchno such problems in australia with anything electric from the Hyundai group. Probably just whinging poms that are the issue

[@JohnInSale]

Fab review… can you order it without those awful rear tinted windows tho i know some folk will not mind them 🤔

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

The privacy glass appears on GT Line models and up - so if you get an entry-level Air model (in the UK) then you don't get it

[@AlanTov]

Veey nice package. Quality.

[@vhol93]

welcome to PT

[@glideman]

Didn’t fall asleep on this video. The pullout flat thing could be used as an ironing board, you could plug the iron into the cars 240v socket 👍

[@philipbassett5129]

Of course, but the current crop of small EVs don’t have the range to meet my needs, I can’t use the ones that DO have sufficient range down narrow West Country lanes. Even this is a bit too big ideally, I wish there was something suitable the size of my current Citroen Cactus

[@brianiswrong]

If you want to see whats happening to the kia nero, have a look at the motorbility car scheme, check the price of the kia niro (which a couple of years ago was the darling of the range)

[@chasf3433]

One problem the EV3 does not solve is reduced winter range as Kia have not fitted a heat pump or even made it an option on most versions.

[@dirtybies]

Is this really an issue when you have the big battery pack?

[@Greatdane-qf8kd]

Heatpump is standard on all models of the EV3 launched here in Denmark

[@vhol93]

9.5/10 wow! great

[@Effortlessful]

How is the speakers? :)

[@AL-ib3lu]

Escuse the dumb question but how can you watch netflix, does it use your smartphone data allowance?

[@tpaul2866]

I thought you had a small hedgehog on your coat - obviously when the fog cleared it was a microphone.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

It *was* a hedgehog until the fog cleared

[@tpaul2866]

@@TimRodieDrivesStuff Thanks for confirming that Tim. I do like a new car launch as I get to see all my favourite youtubers reviewing them. I like your presenting as you have the same warped sense of humour as I, and I did purchase a car based on one of your reviews. What would make everyone's review more interesting would be to base it the on Great Escape. Have a race to steal the test car and get it back to Blighty without being caught. Switch off all telemetry, take the back roads, and try and get back to the UK on one charge. All whilst being chased by the police. Set up a competition between reviewers to see who can get the furthest. 'I averaged 3 miles per kilowatt hour before I was arrested'

[@wattouk]

The picture of the orange/brown one was not accurate.(3:30) I went to my dealer today to sort a few things out for when I pick mine up on Saturday. It was outside on their charger with all its protection film on it. It's definately alot more orange. To be honest, it's more of a salmon pink / orange.

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

That's good news! I took that image from the UK configurator and it seems very boring for an orange. Glad to hear it's brighter!

[@aldo34]

It's 'sunset orange' actually

[@Nigelrudyardmusic]

I really like the EV3 - it moves Kia on from the Niro (which I nearly bought, I have an Ioniq HEV now). I've shied away from EVs because of the whole charging thing, but this might be a game changer. Great review, Tim, thanks - PS 너는 귤 같아, 멍청한 놈이야 / neoneun gyul gat-a, meongcheonghan nom-iya!

[@michaelpapaioannou8921]

Tim? ..you’re out of focus! On the whole video 😂

[@gefthetalkingmongoose]

Something sinister about the car's 'face'... looks like it would be mates with ED-209

[@AL-ib3lu]

I wonder if solid state batteries will render these cars worthless in 3 years time.

[@alexy9554]

당신은 탱가린처럼 보이고, 볼 백

[@leedaq7767]

don't think ev3 is for tall people

[@ISuperTed]

So how much does it cost and how far does it go? 😂😂😂

[@crunchinjelly]

How are modern cars so big on the outside yet so cramped on the inside?

[@chasf3433]

The EV3 is huge on the inside due to its height and width, go see for yourself.

[@pigeonpoo1823]

Because cars were perfectly safe with good crash structures in 2004. But then EuroNCAP realised their relevance in the world was done, so kept adding more and more crap to get 5 stars. As such, the crash structures are huge to account for the 3 cars which flip over annually, so you can't see out of the sodding things, so you need loads of sensors to see cos you can't. All adds weight, so bigger more powerful and complicated engines needed. And these are strangled every year for emissions nonsense. So modern car are about 30% crap they don't need. So no room for people and things unless you make the car even bigger. Way to save the planet guys! Yeah, massive bloody con!

[@smwatson1512]

It's like there's a competition between everyone building EVs to make the shittest wheels possible. This car is hideous as a starting point but why make it worse?!

[@TimRodieDrivesStuff]

Haha

[@aye3678]

The wheel are terrible, I will give you that. But honestly, this car looks good to me.

[@JustinHall1976]

It's subjective. I think the wheels look pretty solid. Car looks really good to me, too. Again: these things tend to be subjective based on personal preference. Most of my friends like the way Teslas look. I, by contrast, think all of them look uninspired.

[@aldo34]

Like the way it looks a lot, including the wheels

[@Chappers158]

First

[@DontPanicDear]

Two thousand, one hundred and third 👍🏻

[@dandylion1987]

The biggest problem with the e-slop is that without home charging (like half the households in the uk) they are completely unsuitable. So nope. No change

[@Gdank72]

So let's get the 50% that can charge at home sorted while the infrastructure for the rest is built up over the next 10 years.

[@dandylion1987]

@Gdank72 how do hundreds of thousands of terraced houses and flats get that then. As someone who works in infrastructure I cannot stress enough how much that isn't going to happen

[@Gdank72]

@@dandylion1987 firstly there are some solutions already out there. Kubo Charge & Charge Arm are two possible options. However, won't solve for everyone, which is why we need more destination chargers at the correct KW in the right places. Work / Hotels / Cinemas / National Parks / etc... (over 3+ hour parking) 7/11/22kw Chargers. Shopping Centres / Restaurants / etc... (Around 1-2 hours parking) 50kw Chargers. Gyms / Supermarkets / etc... (Around 3min Parking) 150kw Chargers. This way people don't need to charge at home, they can top up while popping out. This is the biggest issue with chargers more than motorway service stations, where people can't just use their EV normally and get a charge where they would normally park daily. Most companies that have carparks can easily install some 7kw Chargers... ours has at many locations with 1-2 term plans for all locations. But again, lets get the 50% that can charge at home in an EV while we installing the above over the next 10-20 years. It's a Marathon not a 100m sprint.

[@kiteless1]

​@@dandylion1987 pessimistic 300 mile range (he got 330 real world), then for 8000 miles a year you'd be charging once a fortnight. Assuming you use your car to go to places - work, supermarkets, shopping centres, gyms, cinemas, etc it's pretty likely you can charge at one of them in that time. If not, you make a special trip to a special place to fill it up, just like a petrol car.

[@dandylion1987]

@kiteless1 no , sorry. Paying more for an electric car, then more to insure it, not being able to service it yourself and then not being able to save money charging it, AND the short range and relevant inconvenience is not progess , stop gaslighting

[@muckspreader1able]

Another ugly boring fridge of a car😊

[@chasf3433]

Wait until you see one as it is much uglier in the metal😢 not helped by all the horrid high gloss black plastic that will dull and scratch for certain. 😕 Interior us brilliant however and quality more Audi than Toyota.

[@ziploc2000]

Another practical family car.

[@sileniu]

@@chasf3433 Toyota has shitty interior materials and design... ( exception: camry ).