2025 Kia EV3 GT-Line: A Comprehensive Drive Review

At last, we have an accessible, compact electric SUV designed for widespread appeal. Although Tesla had long pledged to deliver a budget-friendly version without success, Kia has stepped up with the EV3. This model aims to lead the bustling small-SUV market above $45K, boasting impressive all-electric mileage along with high-end amenities typically reserved for premium vehicles within their lineup. Starting at AUD$47,600 plus on-road fees, it may be pricier than some of its Chinese competitors; however, considering its competitive pricing and the reputation of a brand renowned for excellence, it stands out effectively.

For Australian purchasers, brand perception holds significant weight; however, Kia prioritises solely the sales numbers. The EV3 has made an impact on competitors, achieving 336 sales in March 2025—nearly outpacing the BYD Atto 3’s 355 sales, which represents a drop of -15.1%. A fierce contest looms ahead between BYD and Kia, yet anticipate that the more substantial Geely EX5 may also present robust opposition even though it is a bigger model.

In this review, however, our main focus will be on the top-tier Kia EV3 GT-Line model priced at AUD$63,950 plus on-road costs. This version comes equipped with additional luxury features not available in the more budget-friendly Air and Earth variants, such as a Head-Up Display, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon® premium audio system complete with a subwoofer, a Medium Grey interior featuring a gray console tray, and a 3-spoke premium sport steering wheel (as opposed to the 2-spoke design of other versions). Does paying an extra AUD$10,000 for these upgrades make sense compared to the Air Long Range trim? We’ll explore that question here.

Table of contents

• Price and Specs
• Inside
• Battery, Range, Charging
• Drive
• Safety
• Verdict

Further Reading

Cars

Will the 2025 Tesla Model Y Remain the Ultimate Electric SUV?

Cars

Initial Glimpse of Kia’s Staggering $2 Million Concept EV9 Prototype

Price and Specs

The starting price for the 2025 Kia EV3 is AUD$47,600 plus on-road costs for the base model, known as the EV3 Air Standard Range.

Below is the comprehensive list of prices for the Kia EV6 model range available in Australia:

• EV3 Air Standard Range ($47,600 plus on-road costs)
  • Expected On-Road Cost (excluding WA): $48,990
  • Estimated Drive-Away (WA): $49,990
• EV3 Air Long Range ($53,315 including on-road costs)
  • Approximate On-Road Cost (excluding WA): $56,490
  • Estimated Drive-Away (WA): $57,490
• EV3 Earth Long Range ($58,600 including on-road costs)
  • Expected On-Road Cost (excluding WA): $62,690
  • Estimated Drive-Away (WA): $63,690
• EV3 GT-Line Long Range ($63,950 plus on-road fees)
  • Projected Drive-Away Cost (excluding WA): $68,490
  • Estimated Drive-Away (WA): $70,490

For this review, we're concentrating on the high-end Kia EV3 GT-Line AWD model, which comes with an upfront cost of AUD$63,950 excluding on-road fees. This brings the total drive-away price to approximately AUD$68,490 across all Australian states except Western Australia.

Below you'll find all the specifications listed out for every model variant.

• EV3 Air Basic Model (Standard Range)
  • 58.3 kWh lithium-ion battery
  • 2WD with a single front engine (150kW / 283Nm)
  • 0–100 km/h in just 7.5 seconds
  • 436 km WLTP range
  • 17″ alloy wheels
  • Cloth upholstery (two-tone)
  • Manual front seats
  • 12.3" driving instrument panel coupled with a 5" climate control screen along with a 12.3" entertainment touch interface
  • 6-speaker audio system
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Wireless integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
  • Wireless phone charging (Qi)
  • V2L (interior & exterior)
  • Rain-sensitive wipers, LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights
  • Reverse-view camera featuring moving lines for guidance
  • Intelligent Cruise Control 2, Motorway Driving Assistant 2
  • 7 airbags included, with center-side airbag
  • Driver Attention Warning (camera-based)
  • Clean the front door handles and conceal the rear wiper
  • 460 liters rear storage space plus 25 liters front trunk
  • Manual tailgate
  • Tyre mobility kit
  • i-Pedal 3.0 one-pedal driving
  • Intelligent key featuring remote window operation
• Air Long Range adds…
  • Larger 81.4 kWh battery
  • 604 km WLTP range
  • 0–100 km/h in just 7.7 seconds
• Earth adds…
  • 19-inch alloy wheels (Hankook iON Evo)
  • Synthetic leather trim (Soft Gray or Pale Warm Gray)
  • 10-way adjustable powered driver's seat featuring lumbar support
  • Front seats with heating and ventilation
  • Heated 2-spoke steering wheel
  • Electrochromic (auto-dimming) rear-view mirror
  • Smart power tailgate
  • 0–100 km/h in just 7.9 seconds
  • 563 km WLTP range
• GT-Line adds…
  • GT-Line-exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels
  • GT-Line styled front and rear bumpers
  • Jet-black side mirrors with accentuated trim details
  • Complete LED taillights along with LED projector headlights (cube style)
  • Dynamic welcome lighting animation
  • Ambient mood lighting
  • Luxury reclining seats (for driver and passenger, with power adjustment)
  • Adjustable power seat featuring lower back support
  • Memory settings for driver's seat (2 positions)
  • 3-spoke high-end sport steering wheel with heating function
  • Head-Up Display (HUD)
  • Adjustable center console table (workstation/dining tray)
  • 8-speAKER harman kardon high-end audio setup including a subwoofer
  • Spacious panoramic sunroof featuring a safety mechanism
  • Medium Gray GT-Line interior color scheme
  • Privacy glass for rear windows and tailgate
  • Alloy sports pedals

The inclusion of a Head-Up Display (HUD), an Adjustable center console table (serving as workspace or dining tray), an advanced 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system complete with a subwoofer, along with Full LED taillights and cube-style LED projector headlights, makes this top-tier GT-Line model particularly appealing to certain purchasers despite the significant cost rise.

Inside

Although the basic versions of the EV3 lineup offer a similar interior experience, the GT-Line introduces numerous additional features to enhance the overall feel.

The distinctive Medium Grey GT-Line interior color scheme will catch your eye first; this choice gives the cabin an airy and expansive feeling. It comes with a heated 3-spoke premium sport steering wheel that fits nicely in the palm of your hand. However, we’re not particularly fond of thePremium relaxation seats for both driver and passenger, even though they come with power adjustments. we’d find it hard to manage without the Driver’s Seat Memory Function (2 positions) which is absent in other versions, since we take turns driving with our spouse. The GT-Line also underscores some of the cost-saving measures implemented in the lower-tier models, as this is the sole variant equipped with a power passenger seat featuring lumbar support.

To tell you the truth, we would rather opt for the regular storage space instead of the extra extendable center console table offered in the GT-Line model. Nonetheless, it's challenging to dispute that the 8-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system complete with a subwoofer produces superior sound compared to the basic 6-speaker setup.

Features such as dynamic welcome lighting animation, ambient mood lighting, and alloy sports pedals aren't must-haves for us, yet we understand that numerous potential customers desire the wide panoramic sunroof with safety features along with the head-up display (HUD). The GT-Line trim is the sole option to obtain these amenities. It's clear that Kia’s product team has made strategic choices by excluding these items from lower-tier trims; this tactic pushes consumers towards choosing the GT-Line when considering mid-range models. We'd like to see some of the features available on the GT-Line incorporated into the Earth model. .

Nevertheless, similar to the Earth model, the GT-Line comes equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, a smart powered tailgate, an electrochromic (automatically dimming) rearview mirror, a ten-way adjustable power driver's seat complete with lumbar support, as well as the signature setup of a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel coupled with a five-inch climate control screen and another 12.3-inch infotainment touch screen featuring wireless integration for both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Keeping your device juiced up is taken care of via the standard Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charger.

Across the range, you get V2L functionality (both interior and exterior), rain-sensing windshield wipers, LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, a rearview camera with dynamic guidance lines, seven airbags (including a center-side airbag), i-Pedal 3.0 for single-pedal operation, and smart keys with remote window controls. This makes the entry-level Air variant, which comes with an extended 81.4 kWh battery pack at a significantly lower cost, quite appealing. Were we to invest personally, we'd save over AUD$10,000 by opting for the Air Long Range instead of the pricier GT-Line and forego some additional features. Even so, the base model remains impressively well-equipped.

Ultimately, if you can’t live without things like a Head-Up Display (HUD), Driver’s seat memory function (2 positions), and a Wide panoramic sunroof, the GT-Line is the only way to get them.

Battery, Range, Charging

• Air Standard Range : 58.3 kWh | 436 km WLTP | 29min DC fast charge (10–80%)
• Air Long Range : 81.4 kWh | 604 km WLTP range | 31 minutes for DC fast charging from 10% to 80%
• Earth & GT-Line : 81.4 kWh | 563 km WLTP range | 31 minutes for DC fast charging from 10% to 80%
• Constructed using Kia’s E-GMP platform featuring a 400V electrical architecture
• 11 kW for AC charging and capable of 350 kW DC fast charging
• i-Pedal 3.0 offers one-pedal driving along with memory + functions inversely
• All trim levels come with V2L functionality for both interior and exterior outlets as a standard feature.

We often find budget-friendly electric vehicles lacking in terms of their batteries, range, and charging capabilities, but this isn’t an issue with these models. The base model, the Air Standard Range, offers just 436 km WLTP using a 58.3 kWh battery pack. In contrast, both the mid-tier Earth and the high-end GT-Line come equipped with a bigger 81.4 kWh battery, providing up to 563 km WLTP of range. For maximum mileage, consider the Air Long Range variant; it boasts even more capacity at 81.4 kWh and delivers a substantial 604 km WLTP range.

Once you're ready to recharge, the base model Air Standard Range can go from 10% to 80% in 29 minutes with a 350kW DC rapid charger. In comparison, both the Air Long Range, Earth, and GT-Line models take just two extra minutes—finishing their 10-80% charge within 31 minutes under similar conditions.

The vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature can be accessed through both internal and external outlets and comes as a standard across all trim levels. Additionally, i-Pedal 3.0 provides single-pedal operation with settings stored for every model in the range, including when reversing.

Drive

Unlike several of its Chinese rivals, Kia Australia holds an ace card for attaining top-notch ride and handling performance. This advantage doesn’t stem from a racetrack or computer simulations; rather, it comes down to their Chief Ride and Handling Engineer, Graeme Gambold, who set the specifications. distinctive springs, anti-roll bars, and shock absorbers designed specifically for the Kia EV3 models sold in Australia , and he’s happy with the outcome. “The outcome of our EV3 program demonstrates good neutral handling balance, with a high level of grip and handling confidence,” and we have to agree.

You won’t be attacking the bends at your nearest driving road, but being built on Kia’s E-GMP platform, there’s a high level of confidence here, with a good balance between the front and the rear axle, and comfortable but confident ride thanks to the McPherson strut front + multi-link rear suspension set-up.

It performs equally well in urban areas as it does on highways, with the specially tuned Australian suspension showing noticeable firmness primarily when dealing with significant bumps affecting both the battery and frame. In day-to-day driving within cities—where most drivers will find themselves—it excels admirably. Compared to a newer model such as the Tesla Model Y Juniper, this vehicle doesn’t offer quite the same level of comfort nor does it have as precise center-stage steering. Nonetheless, navigating winding rural routes gave me greater assurance in handling the EV3 compared to the BYD Atto 3.

Exceeding a weight of 1.9 tonnes, this vehicle displays a stability that isn't typically seen in gas-fueled SUVs within the same price range.

The Hankook iON Evo tires paired with the bigger 19-inch wheels on the Earth and GT-Line models result in a more firm and sporty driving experience compared to the base-model Air, which features 17-inch alloy wheels and Kumho PS71 tires. However, this distinction becomes noticeable primarily when navigating tight turns like hairpin bends and swift curves at elevated speeds.

For all variants within the Kia EV3 range, they boast an output of 150 kW with 283 Nm of torque. This enables the vehicle to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds for the GT-Line model and 7.5 seconds for the Air Standard Range version. The performance is more than adequate for city driving as well as motorway cruising; however, you might find it lacks some punch when attempting overtakes on rural routes.

Safety

Even with its dimensions and cost, the Kia EV3 places emphasis on safety. All models come equipped with 7 airbags. including a central frontal side airbag.

The safety features included with the Kia EV3 comprise:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
  • Car detection
  • Pedestrian detection
  • Cyclist detection
  • Junction assist
• Blind-spot assist
• Driver attention monitoring
• High-beam assist
• Lane Keep Assist – centering
• Lane-keep assist
• Highway Driving Assist 2
  • Nav-based semi-autonomous driving
  • Lane Change Assist
• Intelligent speed limit assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Reverse camera
• Tyre pressure monitor

The standard features include a Rear Occupant Alert, Safe Exit Warning, and a complete sensor suite. However, both the GT-Line and Earth models come with additional amenities. auto-dimming rear-view mirror As an alternative. Additionally, there isn’t a 360-degree camera or the usual Blind Spot View Monitor because the company mentions cost-saving measures.

The ANCAP rating is still awaiting the outcome of the Euro NCAP evaluation, but we would not be shocked to witness a 5-Star rating in this instance.

Verdict

If you’re in the market for an EV and have a budget of AUD$60-70,000 to spend, then the Kia EV3 GT-Line should be on your shortlist.

It includes all the technology and comfort features we seek in a contemporary vehicle (excluding the 360-degree camera). This implies that the decision to purchase one largely depends on individual preferences.

We’d have a tough time deciding between this and a Zeekr X , but we’d lean towards the Kia EV3 if we were cross-shopping a Volvo EX30 and BYD Atto 3. However, the toughest decision is whether you choose this smaller EV3 over a new Chinese-made competitor like the Deepal S07, Geely EX5, and the list goes on and on.

In the end, we would opt for a well-established and trustworthy brand with significant local influence, and Kia certainly holds considerable weight in this market. Australia .

Check out Kia EV3