• Bright and modern interior
• Great mix of modern tech and traditional controls
• Good use of recycled materials

Given how dramatic it looks on the outside, it would be a disappointment if the interior weren’t equally as striking. The good news is that the cabin design mixes these radical design elements with plenty of family-friendliness. It successfully manages to be both attractive and versatile in equal measure.

We applaud Kia for its use of modern digital displays mixed with physical controls for things that we think should always be buttons. For example, below the main touchscreen are a strip of physical buttons to help navigate it. There are also physical controls for the temperature and fan speed – whereas most rivals have these integrated within the touchscreen. It’s certainly a much easier interior to operate than a Volkswagen ID.3 or Volvo EX30.

The quality and finish are also largely impressive considering this is Kia’s cheapest electric car, with an interesting mix of textures and materials coming together to create a cool, futuristic cabin. It could be worth splashing out the extra for a mid-spec GT-Line model, though, as some cabin materials on the entry-level Air model can feel cheap. It looks very similar to the higher-spec model, but uses hard plastic surfaces instead of the softer materials on the GT-Line, which also gets a smart two-tone upholstery.

Kia also makes a big deal about sustainability. The cabin is leather free, there’s no chrome as with the exterior, and each EV3 uses 28.5kg of recycled plastics, the origins of which can be found by using the little QR code found on the dashboard.

Infotainment and tech

Kia has managed to cram a lot of the technology from its much more expensive EV6 and EV9 into its EV3, and the result – particularly for the price is impressive. A large 12.3-inch touchscreen is merged with a digital instrument cluster of the same size, and each works well, and are easier to navigate than in most rivals.

Between the two screens you get a small climate panel that you control the fan direction and put the demister on, but it’s almost entirely hidden behind the steering wheel. It’s an odd inclusion, and the only thing we’d change in an otherwise excellent interior – especially as the said functions can be handled perfectly well by buttons.

Comfort

• Soft upholstery
• Electrical seat adjustment only on top-spec models
• Brilliant headrests – believe us!

The Kia EV3 doesn’t just excel with its suspension comfort (which we’ll explore in the driving section of this review) but also in the comfort its seats. Regardless of whether you choose the entry-level Air trim with its fabric upholstery or GT-Line with artificial leather, comfort is a real highpoint.

The seats are comfortable with heated seats as standard and electric lumbar adjustment from mid-range GT-Line versions. The range-topping GT-Line S also benefits from full electric front seats and a cooling function for maximum comfort. There’s plenty of room for your arms to rest comfortably, while the feeling of space means that rear passengers should travel well. The driver’s left footrest is very upright, though, which over longer journeys could lead to slight discomfort.