Kia EV3 Light LR 2WD – Small wonder

The Kia EV3 might be the brand’s smallest electric SUV, but it’s launching with serious expectations. Positioned to replace the Niro EV and to sit under the EV5, EV6 and EV9 (makes sense with the name, right), they see this as generating volume.

And while the EV3 is technically a compact SUV, the model we’ve been living with — the Light LR 2WD — feels far from entry-level. It pairs Kia’s largest EV3 battery with a clean, functional interior and a price point that will appeal to private buyers and fleet operators alike: $62,990 plus ORCs.

Small SUV, grown-up feel

The EV3 is a compact vehicle on paper – just 4.3 metres long – but it manages to feel bigger than that once you’re inside. The upright driving position, minimalist cabin, and expansive glasshouse give the impression of something more mid-sized, though rear seat space is merely average.

Boot space is a healthy 460 litres, with a clever two-tier floor, plus a small 25-litre frunk up front – ideal for stashing the charge cables or a backpack.

It’s a light, airy cabin too. The cloth-trimmed seats and hard-wearing surfaces in the Light spec may feel a bit utilitarian at first, but the simplicity works. The panoramic display made up of two 12.3-inch screens and a third 5-inch touch panel for climate control makes for a user-friendly interface that avoids distractions.

Range that’s hard to ignore

What sets the Light LR model apart from the Standard Range is the 81.4kWh NCM battery, which delivers a WLTP range of up to 605km. Real-world results will of course vary — in our time with it, we saw range estimates comfortably above 500km with regular urban and rural use.

Energy consumption is officially rated at 14.9kWh/100km, and the long-range battery means fewer visits to public chargers. But when you do plug in, the EV3 can accept up to 128kW on DC fast charging, going from 10–80% in around 31 minutes. On an 11kW AC wallbox at home, a full charge takes just over seven hours.

The choice of NCM is key here. While still not light, an LFP batter – for all its benefits – would have been heavy. Too heavy. The EV3 feels light, and I am actually keen to try the smaller battery version to see if its efficiency is even more spectacular. 

Light on its feet

With a 150kW motor driving the front wheels, the EV3 Light LR is hardly a performance SUV, but it’s no slouch either. Kia claims 0–100km/h in 7.7 seconds, and the throttle response is clean and linear.

But the bigger surprise is how agile it feels. The car carries its mass well, helped in part by the NCM battery’s relatively lighter footprint. It’s smooth and composed on the road, with well-tuned dampers and a steering setup that’s light but precise.

The steering is super quick and the turning circle pin tight. It makes it feel responsive – well about as responsive as a small city EV should feel – on road, with the benefit of cycle-courier manuevalbility in the city. 

The regen braking is controlled via paddles behind the wheel, with multiple levels including a true i-Pedal mode for one-pedal driving. Once you’ve found your preferred setting, the EV3 quickly becomes an easy car to settle into.

Simple tech, well executed

The EV3 Light LR doesn’t come loaded with luxuries — no heated seats or powered adjustments here — but it does come with the tech you actually use. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard (wired only for now), and four USB-C ports keep passengers charged up.

Where Kia has invested smartly is in its Kia Connect system. The app lets you monitor charging, lock or unlock the car remotely, check the vehicle location, and even pre-set the cabin climate — all handy features for an EV that might sit idle for a day or two.

Also notable is the Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality. The EV3 includes both an internal 3-pin socket under the rear seats and an external V2L adapter (supplied as standard), allowing you to power small appliances, tools or electronics directly from the vehicle’s battery — no extra accessories required.

Safety and peace of mind

All EV3s, including the Light LR, come standard with a comprehensive suite of driver aids: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and rear cross-traffic alert are all included.

The model hasn’t yet been tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, but given Kia’s track record, we expect a strong showing. There are also seven airbags, including a centre airbag between the front seats.

Kia backs it all with a 7-year/150,000km vehicle warranty, plus an 8-year/160,000km warranty on the high-voltage battery. That also includes five years of Kia Connect access and roadside assistance — a confidence booster for first-time EV buyers.

Verdict

There’s something refreshingly honest about the Kia EV3 Light LR. It doesn’t chase gimmicks or wow you with tech overload. Instead, it quietly does all the important EV things right — range, ride quality, space, ease of use — and wraps them in a tidy, well-built package.

It may not be the version you’d choose for showing off, but as a practical, long-range small EV that fits everyday Kiwi life, it’s hard to fault. With solid charging performance, real-world usability, and a price that undercuts many larger rivals, the EV3 Light LR is shaping up to be one of the most relevant electric vehicles of 2025.