Kia EV3 GT-Line S 78kWh 2026 Owner Review (Andy): Living with Kia’s Compact Electric SUV

When it came to finding our next electric vehicle, we wanted something that ticked every box, without compromise. Having previously owned an EV, we knew what to look for, and the Kia EV3 GT-Line S with its larger 78kWh usable battery caught our eye. The EV3 has been on our driveway for less than a year, covering our day-to-day driving seamlessly. Here is our honest, unfiltered take on what it is actually like to live with.

Why We Chose the Kia EV3

We were moving from our previous electric car and wanted an EV that hit the sweet spot for packaging, technology, and range. The Kia EV3 GT-Line S ticked every single box we had on our wish list. It bridges the gap between nimble urban dimensions and long-distance capability, making it a compelling package for many.

Performance, Range and Driving Dynamics

The drive, ride comfort, and overall exterior styling are among the biggest highlights of the car. On a year-round estimate—or from a comfortable 80% charge—we routinely achieve around 320 miles of range, which gives us immense peace of mind on longer trips.

Compared to when it rolled off the production line, the battery performance has been faultless; we have noticed zero degradation, and charging rates remain as fresh as day one.

The Positives

• Exterior Looks & Interior Space: The styling turns heads, while the cabin cleverly maximises space

• Driving Experience: It is smooth, quiet, and effortless to pilot across a variety of road conditions

• Feature List: The GT-Line S trim comes loaded with impressive equipment that makes everyday journeys a breeze.

The Frustrations & Negatives

No car is entirely perfect, and the EV3 does have a few quirks that take getting used to. Our minor gripes include:

• Auto-locking behavior and profile settings management

• The layout of the infotainment home screen

• The constant need to manage sensitive safety alerts (‘bingos and bongs’) that reset on start up.

Ownership Quirks & Best-Kept Secrets

As daily drivers, you tend to notice the little engineering details that aren’t listed on the standard brochure. A couple of our favourite ‘best-kept secrets’ on the EV3 include:

• Boot Height Adjustment: Tailoring the tailgate height makes loading up the boot much more convenient

• Wiper Maintenance Mode: Being able to set the front screen wipers into a service position makes cleaning or changing blades remarkably easy.

Home Charging & Running Costs

We rely entirely on home charging using a Hypervolt home charging unit paired with our electricity supplier and tariff. The setup has been completely trouble-free.

From a financial perspective, running costs are significantly cheaper than a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle. However, we did find that the initial purchase price and insurance premiums (with a standard policy) are notably higher—a common reality for current new-generation EVs. Overall, we’ve experienced zero mechanical faults or reliability issues so far.