Kia EV3 Pricing Revealed in the UK: What It Means for Australian Buyers

2024-08-08

Exciting news for electric vehicle enthusiasts down under: the Kia EV3 is set to make its way to Australia in 2025, and the recently announced pricing in the UK gives us some intriguing clues about its potential cost here. Let's dive into the details and explore what this could mean for Australian buyers.

UK Pricing and Trim Levels

In the UK, the Kia EV3 is available in three trim levels: the base Air, mid-range GT-Line, and the top-spec GT-Line S. Pricing for the UK market starts at £32,995 (approximately AUD $64,837) for the base model and goes up to £42,835 (around AUD $84,173) for the fully-loaded GT-Line S with the Heat Pump option.

These prices might seem steep when converted directly, but they hint at how the EV3 could be positioned within Kia's lineup in Australia.

Comparing to the Australian Market

For a more relatable comparison, the UK base EV3 Air starts at less than the most affordable auto-equipped Sportage in the UK. In Australia, the Sportage SX+ starts at $42,050 plus on-road costs, while the higher-spec variants can climb significantly higher.

The base EV3 Air in the UK is equipped with a 58.3kWh 'Standard Range' battery, providing a claimed WLTP range of 267 miles (429 kilometres). For an additional £3000 (AUD $5895), buyers can opt for the 81.4kWh 'Long Range' battery, which boosts the range to an impressive 372 miles (598 kilometres).

Features and Equipment

The Kia EV3 comes loaded with features across all trims, including:

Three-screen dashboard layout
12.3-inch driver display
5.3-inch climate control touchscreen
12.3-inch touchscreen navigation system
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Kia Connect with 7-year subscription
Over-the-air updates
Heated front seats and steering wheel
Front and rear parking sensors
Reversing camera
Automatic air conditioning and headlight control
LED daytime running lights, high mounted brake lights, rear lights, and fog lights
eCall system
Electrically adjustable, folding, and heated door mirrors with LED indicators
Electronic parking brake with auto hold
25-litre under-bonnet storage
Rain-sensing wipers
Smart key with motion sensor and keyless entry/start

The base Air trim features 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and grey cloth upholstery, while the GT-Line and GT-Line S come with additional luxuries and the Long Range battery as standard.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety is a strong point for the EV3, with all UK models featuring a comprehensive suite of driver assistance systems, including:

Highway Driving Assist (HDA 2.0): Combines adaptive cruise control with active lane centring
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic assist
Safe exit warning
Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB): Includes pedestrian, cyclist, junction turning, and junction crossing assists

Size and Production

With dimensions similar to the Kia Seltos—4300-4310mm long, 1850mm wide, and 1560mm tall on a 2680mm wheelbase—the EV3 offers a compact yet spacious alternative to traditional SUVs. It will be produced at Kia’s Sohari plant in Gwangmyeong, South Korea.

What This Means for Australia

If the UK pricing strategy holds, Australian buyers might see the Kia EV3 priced competitively within the local market. We could potentially see the base model dip under the $50,000 mark, positioning it favorably against other affordable EVs such as the BYD Atto 3 (from $44,499), MG 4 (from $39,990), and the China-sourced Tesla Model 3 (from $54,900).

As we await the official Australian launch in 2025, the EV3 promises to be an attractive option for those looking for a feature-packed, well-priced electric vehicle. Keep an eye out for more updates as we get closer to its arrival on our shores!

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Sourced from Drive.com.au