Small Company Car of the Year 2025: Kia EV3
Advertisement - Article continues below
The base 58kWh model (£33,005) can do 270 miles, but spend £3k more for the 81kWh battery and you'll add 100 miles. It also gets 127.5kW DC charging for a 10 to 80 per cent top-up in 30 minutes. We've averaged 3.3mi/ kWh in winter and 4.6 mi/ kWh in warm weather.
Kia's EV is easy to drive, with great visibility, nicely weighted steering and snappy throttle responses. It also has a broad spread of braking modes, to harvest energy. Motorway noise could be better, though.
Inside, the EV3 packs decent tech even at entry level: dual 12.3-inch displays, adaptive cruise control, heated seats, nav, plus front and rear parking sensors are standard. Boot space is best-in-class and the car's width gives an airy feel with lots of shoulder room, even if the back seats are better for kids than adults.
Running costs are critical for company cars, and like all EVs, the EV3 qualifies for Benefit-in-Kind tax at just three per cent of the car's value. It depreciates as well as its VW and Cupra rivals and is covered by Kia's seven-year warranty. It all adds up to another winning Kia.
Configure your perfect Kia EV3 through our Find A Car service now. Alternatively, check out the best deals out there on a new Kia EV3 from stock or top prices on used Kia EV3 models...
Our choice
Kia EV3 Air 81.4kWh (£36,005)
The entry-level Air has pretty much all the kit you need; the one option we'd recommend is the £3k upgrade to
the bigger battery. That creates the EV3 with the biggest range – 375 miles. It also lets you add £625 metallic paint without busting the £40k luxury-tax surcharge barrier.
Commended
Hyundai Kona
The futuristic-looking Hyundai Kona, last year's class leader, gets nudged into silver-medal position. There's a Kona for everyone, with a choice of petrol, hybrid and electric drivetrains, plus it offers plenty of space and a comfortable, refined drive.
MG4
The budget choice is the MG4 EV. With rear-wheel drive, responsive steering and a comfortable suspension, it's the most fun to drive of our contenders. The styling and fiddly touchscreen won't suit all, but the powertrain choice is broad and the biggest battery will do 329 miles.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 minutes ago
- The Sun
Iconic car brand to ‘cut 400 jobs' despite saying it has ‘no plans' to end production in UK
AN iconic sports car manufacturer is reportedly considering axing 400 jobs after saying it had no plans to end production in the UK. The factory set to lose 30 per cent of its work force in Norfolk has been open since the 1960s. 4 4 Lotus has reportedly become the latest car manufacturer to look at slashing its UK workforce. The move comes after the brand held emergency talks and fellow motor manufacturer Nissan said it would be slashing 250 jobs from one of its UK sites. A report in the Daily Mail claims that the sports car specialist is considering cutting 30 per cent of jobs at its plant in Hethel, Norfolk. Of the 1,300 staff at the site up to 390 could now be facing down the prospect of losing their job. A decision on the job losses is expected from the brand in the next few months. Recent reports that the brand was considering closing its factory in Hethel and moving production to the US were denied by the firm. Majority owned by Chinese carmaker Geely, Lotus adamantly rejected the claims, saying in a statement: "The UK is the heart of the Lotus brand—home to our sports car manufacturing, global design centre, motorsport operations, and Lotus Engineering. "It is also our largest commercial market in Europe. "Lotus Cars is continuing normal operations, and there are no plans to close the factory. "We are actively exploring strategic options to enhance efficiency and ensure global competitiveness in the evolving market. The modern classic Lotus Elise "We have invested significantly in R&D and operations in the UK, over the past six years. " Lotus remains committed to the UK, and its customers, employees, dealers, suppliers, as well as its proud British heritage." The reports of imminent closure however sparked intervention by the government with company executives meeting business secretary Jonathan Reynolds. The meeting on Sunday, June29, reportedly saw the group discuss possible support measures. 4 4 Fears were raised that the brand would fall victim to Donald Trump's import tariffs. These were reportedly not addressed by the news that the tariffs would be reduced from 27.5 per cent to 10 per cent. Despite the emergency meeting, the offer of government support and the reduction in tariffs, the brand is still said to be set to cut a huge number of jobs. The Sun has approached Lotus for comment.
The Sun
8 minutes ago
- The Sun
Massive UK train station reveals plans to double passengers in £300million masterplan – including new routes to Europe
LONDON St Pancras station is set to double its capacity to 2,700 passengers per hour with a £300million investment. Today, London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have signed a letter of intent to work together to create more room and routes for travellers at the major station. 4 4 The aim of the combined project is for St Pancras International to become one of Europe's busiest international rail hubs and support the demand for travel international travel. London St Pancras Highspeed and Eurostar have agreed to collaborate through three phases. And in April 2025, St. Pancras Highspeed unveiled plans in to invest £300million in infrastructure renewal over the next five years from April 2025 to March 2030, according to New Civil Engineer. The first will review short term improvements within the current station layout. This includes optimising the security and border crossing processes to deliver an uplift of 2,700 passengers per hour in the next three to four years. Phase two will see the improvement of the international area and its connection to the main concourse. This is expected to be complete by 2028. The final phase will take place in the 2030s, which is set to further enhance capacity. This might mean the change of the station layout with arrivals potentially being relocated upstairs. The architectural firm, Hawkins\Brown, has been appointed to deliver a design for the expansion. Huge new train station to open in world's most popular city 4 The architecture team have been tasked with creating a new ground floor layout for the international zone to more than double the station's current capacity. Hawkins\Brown has said that a change in the station's design is necessary, but it will be achieved through remodelling rather than major structural changes. Richard Thorp, Chief Operating Officer at London St Pancras Highspeed, commented: 'We're delighted to be working with Eurostar to expand capacity at St. Pancras International." He continued to add: "With growing passenger demand for international train travel, it is important that St. Pancras International station is future-proofed and optimised to accommodate this. 'With a shared ambition and collaborative approach, we can ensure our iconic station is ready to support this demand, and we're looking forward to getting started on a new era of connectivity between London and Europe.' Simon Lejeune, Chief Safety and Stations Officer at Eurostar, said that Eurostar already welcomes 45,000 customers a day. He added that Eurostar hopes to expand its fleet from early 2030s and increase services to France, Belgium, the Netherlands. Earlier this year, Eurostar also expressed its want to expand routes to Germany and Switzerland which will also form part of the project. Here's more about Eurostar's plan to launch direct trains to two European countries with huge £1.7billion new fleet.
Times
17 minutes ago
- Times
Watches of Switzerland posts record revenue but profits slide
Strong demand for luxury timepieces helped Watches of Switzerland to post record annual revenues but profits declined as the cost of expansion and property impairments weighed on the bottom line. The company reported group revenue of £1.65 billion for the year to April 27, up 7 per cent on the previous year, fuelled by double-digit growth in the United States. Profit before tax fell 18 per cent to £76 million, held back by rising showroom costs, new shop openings, including a flagship Rolex boutique on Bond Street, and a £43.6 million property impairment linked to high interest rates and inflation. • Business live: news, updates and analysis throughout the day The group's US business was the standout performer, with revenues climbing 16 per cent and surpassing $1 billion for the first time. Growth in the UK was more modest at 2 per cent, although it marked a return to growth after a decline in the previous year. Brian Duffy, chief executive, said: 'Our performance reflects our differentiated business model, with our scale and leadership in our chosen markets, supported by long-standing, collaborative partnerships with world-leading brands across luxury watches and luxury branded jewellery underpinning sustained growth.' The group, based in Leicester, said it remained confident in the resilience of the luxury watch category, especially in the still 'underdeveloped' American market, despite caution over the broader macroeconomic backdrop and the risk of new US tariffs. RBC expects Swiss watch exports to decline by 5 per cent in value and by 7 per cent in volume this year. Its analysts said that with the probability of softening demand 'long-range plan targets are potentially at risk of disappointing or being withdrawn completely, which would be a negative catalyst for the stock'. Shares in Watches of Switzerland edged lower in early trading.
