[Harry_Zoe]

The longer we've had an EV the smaller the battery that we seem to need... for us at leat experience decreases range anxiety, but if your regular journeys are longer then I can understand the deisre for a larger pack .

We started with a Tesla S100D, and we so rarely needed even half of the 100kWh, so dropping down to 64.8kWh with the Niro EV wasn't even noticeable, and now the EV3 with the small pack is still 90% of the Niro EV pack, so it would be a pity to have to get the larger option.

Our experience is from the other side, but we ended up in the same place. Our Zoe is great, but it's just a bit short of range for the longest journey we do regularly with its 52kWh. The Soul with its 64kWh battery and higher efficiency covers that gap perfectly and we find the charging time on longer motorway journeys matches our combined bladder and coffee needs perfectly.

If the EV3 is as efficient as the Soul, it'll just about have the minimum range we need.

 

[OB1CCFC]

Surely we all knew the Niro EV was nearing it’s ‘end of lifecycle’?
I bought it because it was the best package 18 months ago and it was going to be a ‘keeper’. Also, I doubt anyone will get an EV3 on their drive within another year or so.
I have been shocked by the depreciation levels on my car and that will only get worse with the EV3 launch.
Which makes it even more likely to be a keeper!

 

[Mark_T]

Surely we all knew the Niro EV was nearing it’s ‘end of lifecycle’?

Agreed, which is why I got it on PCP and with the low interest offer at launch, along with the relatively high residual, I felt I was covered in the event that something better would be available in 3 years time.

On the other-hand there really is nothing wrong with the Niro EV at this point and I could easily keep it for a few more years, but by the time I hit 3 years in August '25, the value is likely to be well below the residual on the contract so it is probably not going to be worth keeping it.

 

[OB1CCFC]

Agreed, which is why I got it on PCP and with the low interest offer at launch, along with the relatively high residual, I felt I was covered in the event that something better would be available in 3 years time.

On the other-hand there really is nothing wrong with the Niro EV at this point and I could easily keep it for a few more years, but by the time I hit 3 years in August '25, the value is likely to be well below the residual on the contract so it is probably not going to be worth keeping it.

I will probably keep it for another 5 years. Totally happy with it.
Will be interesting to see it’s evolution over 7 years.

 

[HillmanImp]

I read somewhere (sorry, can't remember where!) that Kia are perfectly relaxed about the EV3 and Niro EV occupying the same space. The Niro is important for them so they can keep offering ICE and PHEV, and if not many people take the EV option then who cares? If the market decides that noone wants the EV version, then they can just quietly drop it.

On the face of it, the EV3 looks like an excellent replacement, but we're not in a hurry to replace our eNiro so we'll probably hang on to it, then sell when its six years old and the warranty still has some meaning to a purchaser.

 

[HangNail999]

The EV3 is a smaller car, 120mm (~4.7") shorter, 25mm (~1") wider. The 55kWh battery version is 43kg heavier, and the 77kWh battery version is even heavier by 193kg.
Acceleration times are virtually the same, as is the bhp. The main improvement is the DC charging speeds: 100kWh max (55kWh version), and 135kW max (77kWh version).
The range is lower than the Niro EV for the smaller battery version.
It's basically a smaller Niro EV on a dedicated EV platform.
It will be interesting to see some test drive reviews.

 

[Rbrian]

The EV3 is a smaller car, 120mm (~4.7") shorter, 25mm (~1") wider. The 55kWh battery version is 43kg heavier, and the 77kWh battery version is even heavier by 193kg.
Acceleration times are virtually the same, as is the bhp. The main improvement is the DC charging speeds: 100kWh max (55kWh version), and 135kW max (77kWh version).
The range is lower than the Niro EV for the smaller battery version.
It's basically a smaller Niro EV on a dedicated EV platform.
It will be interesting to see some test drive reviews.

Just because it’s shorter doesn’t mean it’s smaller, as it’s built on a pure EV platform, which allows better packaging. Compare the ID3 and VW Golf - about the same size outside, but one feels far more spacious inside, as if it was a Passat competitor.

Volkswagen Golf 2019-2024 vs. Volkswagen ID.3 2019-present

Volkswagen Golf Hatchback 2019-2024 vs. Volkswagen ID.3 Hatchback 2019-present. Compare car dimensions (length, width and height) vs. street perspective.

www.carsized.com

 

[Mark_T]

Compare the ID3 and VW Golf...

Not really a like for like comparison though as the Niro EV was not build on the old e-Niro platform but on a new modular platform designed to allow for EV/ICE/Hydrogen, and as a result of the skateboard design allowed by the new platform, the wheelbase on the Niro EV is actually longer than the EV3.

Even so I doubt the size difference is going to be all that noticeable in use as the differences are small. Comparing the wheelbase on the Niro EV / e-Niro / EV3 there is less than an inch between each of them with the EV3 being the shortest and the Niro EV the longest.

 

[HangNail999]

Even so I doubt the size difference is going to be all that noticeable in use.

I saw a Youtube video where the reviewer sat in the back seats, and it definitely looked smaller that in the Niro EV.

 

[Mark_T]

Seat positions make a big difference though, going to have to reserve judgement until we can actually sit in one I suspect.

With just 20mm shorter wheel base and 120mm shorter overall length the EV3 really isn't that different.

 

[EVdownunder]

The EV5 is already shipping in Australia and seems targetted at the Sportage market.

The EV5 is not shipping yet in Australia, and we are still waiting on prices and options. It is made in China and will have an LFP battery. The interior is more EV6-like and lacks the new interfaces of the EV3. I also believe it isn't using the latest software that the EV3 has. However, in Australia most motoring writers believe the EV5 will make the Niro a hard sell, unless you want a hybrid version.

 

[Mark_T]

The EV5 is not shipping yet in Australia, and we are still waiting on prices and options. It is made in China and will have an LFP battery. The interior is more EV6-like and lacks the new interfaces of the EV3. I also believe it isn't using the latest software that the EV3 has. However, in Australia most motoring writers believe the EV5 will make the Niro a hard sell, unless you want a hybrid version.

Sorry, yes of course you are correct, it is not shipping to customers yet but Kia did ship review vehicles to Kia Australia in April this year.

I think you are expecting the full launch with pricing in June?

 

[Mark_T]

The Korean website now has the brochure, specs, price-list etc. for the Korean market.

The prices do look good, but they are a little misleading as in the Korean market at least, a lot of the good features are optional extras even on the GT-Line model.

Price difference between the small and large battery is not too bad though at around £2,500...

Obviously not a direct guide on how the UK models will be spec'd and priced...

 

[Mark_T]

For comparison, here is the Niro EV price list...

 

[OB1CCFC]

The EV3 pivoting table thing is a strange one. Especially re accessible storage space.
Although tbh I’ve had coffee and sandwiches quite a few times on my lap where a little table might be handy!

 

[Rbrian]

The EV3 pivoting table thing is a strange one. Especially re accessible storage space.
Although tbh I’ve had coffee and sandwiches quite a few times on my lap where a little table might be handy!

I eat lunch in my van almost every day. On my lap. A folding table would be great!

 

[KDon]

I read somewhere today that the EV3 was the Soul's replacement - that would be logical.

Having run a Soul FE for 60k miles from new over almost 3 years and loved it (it’s now up on wooden blocks in the barn) we have replaced it with a new Nero EV 3 Sans Heat Pump and a EV9 twin motor GT line 6, we still miss using the Soul FE.

I believe that the SOUL Max came about partly because of the parts shortages where KIA removed various items in the spec, but it still sold.

The Nero still sells well and their latest iteration in the NERO EV is, I believe, still selling well on the new platform, as for the SOUL MAX, then probably it’ll be discontinued in the near future, as the design is getting a bit long in the tooth now.

Obviously KIA will continue to bring new models into their lineup, but I think that the NERO EV will still be available for many years to come yet.

 

[RobinB]

I've noted how very popular the e-Niro was for mini-cabs in London - Obviously the Congestion zone is what pushed many of those drivers to EVs and the Prius seemed to the the go-to choiice for mini-cabs for a long time. I believe Kia came up with some very good deal for mini-cabs, around the time we were looking at Niro or Soul in 2021. The Niro has lots of boot space for luggage, which is bound to appeal if the driver has plenty of airport jobs. I thought a review of the EV3 painted it as more like the Soul in terms of distribution of space: excllent for the cabin but a bit short on boot space. (Reviews were always pessimistic about the Soul's boot space because they only quoted the official volume with the false flow raised).
Anyway, that made me wonder if the Niro EV still has an appeal where load carrying is more important than state of the art luxuries.

 

[OB1CCFC]

I've noted how very popular the e-Niro was for mini-cabs in London - Obviously the Congestion zone is what pushed many of those drivers to EVs and the Prius seemed to the the go-to choiice for mini-cabs for a long time. I believe Kia came up with some very good deal for mini-cabs, around the time we were looking at Niro or Soul in 2021. The Niro has lots of boot space for luggage, which is bound to appeal if the driver has plenty of airport jobs. I thought a review of the EV3 painted it as more like the Soul in terms of distribution of space: excllent for the cabin but a bit short on boot space. (Reviews were always pessimistic about the Soul's boot space because they only quoted the official volume with the false flow raised).
Anyway, that made me wonder if the Niro EV still has an appeal where load carrying is more important than state of the art luxuries.

Looking at the published stats the EV3 has around 3% boot space less than the Niro EV but a slightly bigger frunk.
not sure about cargo space with the seats down…,

 

[RobinB]

Looking at the published stats the EV3 has around 3% boot space less than the Niro EV but a slightly bigger frunk.
not sure about cargo space with the seats down…,

I suspect the groud-up EV design has enabled it to deliver the Niro-sized load-carrying whist having a more Soul-ly boxiness. I always thought the Niro was rather a bland exterior.
I like the Soul's front and profile views, but never liked the rear. The nearly complete circle of red rather reminded me of a baboon's bottom!