00:00Happy 10th EV birthday, Kia.
00:03It was 10 years ago that they bought the Kia Soul to market.
00:06Since then, we've had Souls, we've had Niros, we've had EV6s, EV9s,
00:11the latter a World Car of the Year last year.
00:14And now this, the new Kia EV3.
00:18And this car is just going on sale in the UK.
00:20It's already won a hat full of awards.
00:23People are loving it. But why?
00:31So why is everybody raving about the Kia EV3?
00:34OK, let's start with some stats.
00:36The price, it starts at £32,995.
00:40Let's not get hooked up on list prices.
00:42Everybody pays monthly and the monthlies will be fairly affordable, I'm sure.
00:46£32,995 gets you a 58kWh battery and that car will go 270 miles.
00:52Not bad.
00:53But for £35,995, you can get an 81kWh battery and that car will go 375 miles.
01:03And in my experience with Kias, they tend to do what they say on the tin.
01:08Unlike so many other cars that the ranges are realistic
01:12and the mileage tends to drop with the miles passed.
01:15Not as some cars do, they just disappear at what seems to be twice the pace.
01:20So a realistic range, I reckon, 350 miles.
01:24Maybe a little less in the cold, but that is seriously good for £35,995.
01:29You will not go further for less money, which is impressive.
01:33You can spend £43,895 on a car with that bigger battery, the long range,
01:38and that's a GT Line S. That car comes with a heat pump.
01:41Shame all cars don't come with a heat pump.
01:43But hey, you've got to cut the cloth accordingly, haven't you?
01:47What else do I like about this car?
01:49Do you know what? It's just really, really nice to drive.
01:53It's really comfortable on these pretty ropey California freeways.
01:58The car rides really nicely.
02:00It's relatively quiet as most EVs are.
02:03Visibility is good. Forwards, big mirrors, good visibility.
02:07Out the back as well.
02:09And there's lots of space. There's lots of headroom.
02:12I could sit behind myself. There's enough legroom if I could possibly do that.
02:16So it's going to be easy for the family.
02:18The boots are a good size.
02:20And in here, you've got a twin 12-inch display screen.
02:24And yes, you've got separate buttons for the heating.
02:27You haven't got to delve into menus to try and adjust the temperature.
02:31Quality is pretty good too.
02:34Styling, you can decide on that.
02:37Personally, I think it looks modern.
02:39It's a nice development of the EV9, the 7-seater, and the EV6.
02:45Talking about the EV6, there's so much space in the back of this.
02:48And it's just so nice to drive.
02:50Do you know what? I don't think I'd bother with the EV6, but don't tell Kia.
02:55So, yeah, by and large, I think I'm falling in love with the EV3 too.
03:01So what do I think about the Kia EV3?
03:03Well, I'll be honest, it really is very, very good.
03:07It ticks so many boxes.
03:08It's got loads of space. It's got loads of kit.
03:11It goes a long way as well.
03:12Price, I think it looks good too.
03:14I mentioned at the start, the 2024 World Car of the Year was the Kia EV9.
03:19Could it be a double for Kia?
03:21Could this be World Car of the Year for 2025?
03:25That's what I'm here judging.
03:26And do you know what? It's so good, I reckon it stands a really good chance.
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