Kia’s compact electric SUV EV3 has claimed the top spot in a closely watched comparison test by German automotive magazine Auto Zeitung, a victory that could sharpen the brand’s edge in Europe’s increasingly brutal electric vehicle (EV) market.
The publication, one of Germany’s most influential car magazines, ranked the EV3 first among five urban crossover EVs after evaluating performance, driving comfort, practicality and cost efficiency.
The EV3, equipped with a 58.3-kilowatt-hour standard battery, earned 3,039 points overall, beating Renault’s 4 E-Tech at 2,936 points and BYD’s Atto 2 at 2,928 points.
Other vehicles included in the test were the Ford Puma Gen-E and Suzuki e Vitara.
The Korean automaker finished first in three of the five categories: body, driving comfort and powertrain.
The magazine gave particularly strong marks to the EV3’s real-world driving range, which reached 335 kilometers during testing, the longest distance among the competing models.
Auto Zeitung also praised the vehicle’s acceleration, responsive handling and regenerative braking system controlled through steering wheel paddle shifters.
In the body category, judges highlighted the EV3’s spacious cabin, describing the interior as lounge-like because of its generous headroom, wide windows and flat rear floor.
The publication also gave the EV3 the highest score in driving comfort, pointing to its refined suspension system and supportive seating, which reviewers said performed well even on rough German roads during long-distance driving.
A Kia official said the results demonstrated that the EV3 delivers both efficiency and comfort in a highly competitive EV segment.
Source: Korea Times News
