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Summary
Testing the EV3 in real-world conditions
The video evaluates the Kia EV3 Long Range, a front-wheel-drive electric vehicle with an 81 kWh battery. The test includes highway driving in windy weather to analyze real consumption and range, shedding light on its efficiency.
Drive modes and behavior
Despite having customizable drive modes (eco, normal, sport), the vehicle defaults to normal mode after a restart, which undermines personalized settings. This limitation was highlighted as a user experience issue.
Performance at highway speeds
At 120 km/h, the EV3 had a consumption of 233 Wh/km. The ride is generally smooth with tolerable wind and road noise, though it lacks the refinement of higher-end competitors. The front-wheel-drive layout causes slight nose movement during acceleration and braking.
Handling and steering analysis
Auto-steer behaves inconsistently, especially at higher speeds, making small adjustments even on straight roads. It's not as refined as German brands or Tesla's systems but better than some Chinese EVs that overcompensate in curves.
Impact of strong headwinds
Headwinds significantly affected consumption, with the vehicle unable to coast effectively. Even in neutral, the car struggled to gain speed due to resistance, indicating higher drag and possibly inefficient drivetrain tuning.
Sound system review
The onboard Harman sound system is decent but not exceptional—good bass and clarity but lacks refinement of premium audio systems. At higher volumes, bass boominess and slight distortion were noted.
Coasting and drivetrain efficiency tests
Despite having low friction components typical of Korean EVs, the EV3 showed subpar coasting efficiency, likely due to its boxy design and average drivetrain effectiveness.
Estimates vs. actual data
The onboard range prediction was consistently off, often underestimating remaining range. Distance underreporting of around 1.4 to 1.6 km was also observed during the test.
Overall range conclusion
Final average consumption was 165 Wh/km at lower speeds. The total tested range fell below 500 km, which is less efficient than other EVs with similar battery size like the Kona or Niro. Still, the flat charging curve was seen as a positive feature.
233 Wh/km at 120 km/h: This relatively high number shows how much the wind and drag impacted efficiency.
165 Wh/km at 90 km/h: Even at this speed, with low HVAC usage, the EV3 struggles to achieve efficiency parity with rivals.- 81 kWh usable battery: Despite its size, the real-world range doesn’t break 500 km—lower than expected for such a pack size.
1.4–1.6 km underreporting: Highlights accuracy issues in trip distance measurements.
