Kia EV3 GT-Line Review –Electric SUV Game-Changer or a Glorified Gadget?

First time driving an EV? It’s a bit like meeting a drag queen at brunch – overwhelming, glamorous, and oddly calming. The 2025 Kia EV3 GT-Line is a compact, front-wheel drive electric SUV that may soon gain AWD siblings (stay tuned, darlings). For now, this GT-Line caps a range that includes the EV3 Air (SR & LR) and EV3 Earth (LR). Cute names, sure, but where’s “Fire”? Too risky? Probably.

With a generous 140mm of ground clearance, the EV3 GT-Line stands proud in the SUV crowd, replacing the role of family hatchbacks with extra practicality and a sprinkle of electric magic.

BROCHURE and SPECIFICATIONS HERE: MY25_KIAEV3_SPECIFICATION SHEET

Interior & Design – Sustainable, Stylish, and a Bit Brutalist

Inside, recycled plastics and minimalist lines create a calming, Scandi-chic vibe. Think IKEA, but posher. The flat floor enhances cabin space and comfort, while front seats come with a single-button “relax mode” – perfect for recharging yourself while the car recharges.

We loved the pull-out armrest that doubles as a quick workspace for a small laptop. Underneath is a huge space fit for a Bracknell-sized handbag.

Rear passengers get USB ports embedded in the seatbacks, and while Kia didn’t supply tablet holders, the seat height makes aftermarket mounts viable. Exterior-wise, the EV3 treads the fine line between edgy and oops. It’s less awkward than the Kia Tasman, and far more resolved than the design-disaster that was the K4.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Review – 2025 Kia EV3 GT-Line Review – Game-Changer or Gadget? – REVIEW– Alan Zurvas

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ABOVE: Kia Ev3

Performance & Handling – Quietly Capable

With 150kW and 283Nm of torque, the EV3 GT-Line won’t rip your knickers off, but it’s quick enough for daily duties. A mash of the throttle causes feather-light steering – not quite torque-steer hysteria of old, but nostalgic nonetheless.

The ride is whisper-quiet, and while the 470kg battery keeps things grounded, you’ll feel its heft when cornering enthusiastically. It’s not sporty, and it doesn’t need to be – treat it like an EV limo and it rewards you with comfort and serenity.

EV Range & Charging – Respectable but Not Record-Breaking

The 563km WLTP range (or 604km for Air LR) gives plenty of room to roam, and we consistently hit 500km+ on real-world drives. But let’s talk about that 400V architecture – it caps DC fast charging at 127.5kW. Despite the marketing fluff, you won’t be hitting 350kW speeds.

Charging from 10% to 80% takes 31 minutes on an ultra-rapid charger, which is fine unless you’re in a queue at a dodgy charger in Woop Woop. Chargefox with NRMA discounts helps, but Australia’s charging network is still patchy at best.

A clever V2L (vehicle-to-load) function adds flexibility, with household sockets inside and out. Rarely used? Sure. But they’ll save your bacon one day.

Tech & Infotainment – Mostly Smart, Occasionally Stubborn

Wireless Apple CarPlay proved tricky. A workaround using CarPlay first (then Bluetooth/USB later) eventually got it humming. Once sorted, the infotainment screen is sharp and easy to use.

Traffic sign recognition is as flawed as ever, but at least a long-press of the mute button kills the nagging alerts (as seen in Polestar and Volvo). Highway Assist was MIA in our test car – while smart cruise and lane centering worked, auto lane change refused to play ball. The system recognised the road as a “motorway”, but the “HDA” never activated. This was confirmed at Kia HQ, whose technicians spent time hunched over our test car like gazelles at a watering hole. They checked the software which proved to be correct. We borrowed a workshop base model EV3 and it too refused to co-operate. We were 2 for 2.

Kia EV3 GT-Line vs Chinese Rivals – A Class Above?

While Chinese EVs like BYD and MG look slick, their driver aids are overzealous and infotainment overly complex. Longevity? Still a question mark. And we’ve seen how quickly Tesla’s rep went from rockstar to rehab.

Kia’s EV3 might not be cheap anymore, but it brings brand confidence, solid build, and a thoughtful interior that’s easy to live with. Compared to the Niro EV, it’s better value, better looking, and simply better, full stop.

Final Verdict – Kia’s EV3 GT-Line Is a Little Bit Zen, a Little Bit Zippy

The Kia EV3 GT-Line isn’t perfect, but it’s bloody close. It’s smart, sustainable, and packed with features – minus the anxiety of buying from a new-to-Australia brand. It won’t tear up racetracks, but it will whisk you to the coast in comfort, without requiring a charger at every servo.

EV3 makes the Niro EV look expensive, old, poorly designed, and completely out of place in an otherwise-modern EV line-up.

Kia’s are creeping up in price, and with a $120grand halo model EV9, are now fully mainstream must-have. Kia’s transformation from bargain-basement to aspirational EV-maker is now complete – and the EV3 GT-Line is the glittery bow on top.

EV3 GT-Line vs Niro EV GT-Line: Quick Spec Comparison

Feature	EV3 GT-Line	Niro EV GT-Line
RRP	$63,950	$72,100
Driveaway	$68,490	$76,500
Battery	81.4kWh	64.8kWh
Power	150kW/283Nm	150kW/255Nm
Max DC Charging	127.5kW	85kW

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