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Ford Explorer vs Kia EV3
Selected trimStandard Range 58.3kWhChange trim270 mi · 58.3 kWh · £33,055
At a glance
In this comparison, Ford Explorer leads on charging speed, while the Kia EV3 leads on motorway range, running costs and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Ford Explorer if...
- you need the fastest charging of these options
Choose the Kia EV3 if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 2p per mile on off-peak electricity
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Kia EV3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Ford
6.1
Kia
6.3
Too close to call
Motorway RangeKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
4.1
Family
Ford
6.7
Kia
6.5
Too close to call
ChargingFord
Ford
4.6
Kia
4
Cost Per MileKia
Ford
3.5
Kia
6
City DrivingKia
Ford
5.4
Kia
7.4
What each car does better
See the specification differences behind the verdict, with supporting figures for each advantage.
Key specifications
Compare the key specifications for your selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £35,185 | £33,055 (better) |
| Official range | 273 miles (better) | 270 miles |
| Boot space | 470 L (better) | 460 L |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 25 min (better) | 29 min |
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 7.5 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Ford Explorer
Kia EV3
Length
Ford Explorer4,468mm
Kia EV34,310mm-158mm
Width
Ford Explorer1,872mm
Kia EV31,850mm-22mm
Height
Ford Explorer1,630mm
Kia EV31,570mm-60mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,468 mm | 4,310 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,872 mm | 1,850 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | 2,063 mm | Not available |
| Height | 1,630 mm | 1,570 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.9 m | 10.4 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 528 mm spare | 550 mm spare (better) |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear legroom | 916 mm | Not available |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | Not available | 2 |
| Boot space (seats up) | 470 L (better) | 460 L |
| Boot space (seats down) | 1460 L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 25 L |
| Towing capacity (braked) | 1,000 kg | Not available |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Ford Explorer
Not enough peers to make confident percentile claims.
Kia EV3
- At 4,310 mm, shorter than 85% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Uses 149 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 90% of SUVs we track.
- 10.4 m turning circle, tighter than 85% of SUVs in our database.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Ford Explorer Style 58kWh |  Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.47m | 4.31m-158mm |
| Width | 1.87m | 1.85m-22mm |
| Width (mirrors) | 2.06m | Not available |
| Height | 1.63m | 1.57m-60mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.77m | 2.68m-87mm |
| Ground Clearance | 193mm | Not available |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 470L (better) | 460L |
| Boot (seats down) | 1460L | Not available |
| Frunk | Not available | 25L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Rear Legroom | 916mm | Not available |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.9m | 10.4m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,908kg | 1,800kg (better) |
| Towing Capacity | 1,000kg | Not available |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58kWh | 58.3kWh (better) |
| Range (WLTP) | 273 mi (better) | 270 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 105kW | 127kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £35,185 | £33,055 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £33,685 (-£1,500) | £31,555 (-£1,500) (better) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2026+ | 2024+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 273 miles (better) | 270 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 183 miles | 193 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 25 min (better) | 29 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 105 kW | 127 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | 11 kW |
| Energy consumption | 164 Wh/km | 149 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 58 kWh | 58.3 kWh (better) |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NCMA |
| Battery architecture | 400V | Not available |
| Heat pump | Not standard | Not available |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 8 sec | 7.5 sec (better) |
| Power | 140 kW | 150 kW (better) |
| Torque | 310 Nm (better) | 283 Nm |
| Drivetrain | RWD | FWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
8.5/10
average across 5 reviews
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Parkers4.2/5
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Ford Explorer
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
Calculate your real costs
For a useful running-cost comparison, factor in your mileage, charging access and current petrol or diesel car alongside the EV estimate.
Compare with petrol or diesel
Compare purchase price, energy, road tax and maintenance with a petrol or diesel alternative.
Calculate company-car tax
Work out monthly Benefit-in-Kind using current and future HMRC rates.
Cost per mile
Compare EV charging costs per mile with petrol and diesel using your charging options.
Check a lease quote
Assess the effective monthly cost alongside the list price and expected depreciation.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Ford Explorer Style 58kWh
Tested 2024
Adult Occupant89%
Child Occupant86%
Vulnerable Road Users80%
Safety Assist72%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Euro NCAP - Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant83%
Child Occupant84%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist78%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Ford ExplorerStyle 58kWh | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Battery warranty | 8 years | 8 years |
| Battery warranty distance | 160,934 km | 160,934 km |
What owners say
Aggregated from UK owner forums and communities - the things you only learn after living with the car.
Shared watch-outs for both cars
Owners of every car here flag dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
Ford Explorer
Style 58kWh
Owners love
- Owners praise the quiet, comfortable ride and the planted, enjoyable handling, often rated above the VW ID.4.
- Efficiency is a strong point: owners report around 3.4 to 4 miles per kWh, 300+ miles from a full charge in mild weather and about 200 in winter.
- Rear-seat space is generous, and the interior is felt to be a step up from other Fords.
Watch out for
- A few owners report electrical faults soon after delivery (warning lights, a failed instrument display, a car that would only select neutral), with long waits for a diagnosis.
- Several owners report slow repairs, parts waits and difficulty getting a courtesy car, and some dealers were unfamiliar with the car.
- The heat pump and head-up display are extra-cost options.
Owner tips
- Precondition the car before cold-weather journeys to keep efficiency up.
- Check the car thoroughly on collection, including paint and every warning light, before accepting it.
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
Owners love
- Owners are consistently delighted with the range: 250-350 miles in practice, around 4.5-5 miles per kWh in summer and about 3 in winter.
- Interior quality, space and comfort are rated well above what the size and price suggest.
- The ride is comfortable and the car is easy and quiet to drive.
Watch out for
- Rapid charging is slower than some rivals: owners see peaks of around 100-135 kW and a curve that tails off.
- The safety and driver-assistance systems beep too often and some are over-sensitive.
- A few owners report home AC charging dropping to 1.4-3.4 kW or other charging faults, with slow dealer diagnosis.
Owner tips
- Spend the first week setting up the infotainment and turning off the driver-assistance alerts you don't want.
- Expect 2.8-3.5 miles per kWh in winter and plan longer winter trips around it.
Buying options
Get a quote
Ford Explorer
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Kia EV3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Explorer worth the extra £2,130 over the Kia EV3?
The Ford Explorer costs £2,130 more than the Kia EV3. On the headline specs that premium buys little measurable advantage - the two are closely matched on range, charging and space. The Kia EV3 is not just cheaper - it also offers lower energy use, 149 versus 164 Wh/km. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Kia EV3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV3?
The Kia EV3 is £2,130 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £160 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Kia EV3 comes out roughly £2,210 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 183 miles for the Ford Explorer and 193 miles for the Kia EV3 - effectively matched, and both well below their WLTP figures because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 25-29 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV3?
The two are within 22 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 550 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV3 and about 528 mm of total clearance for the Ford Explorer. The Kia EV3 also turns in a 0.5 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Ford Explorer or the Kia EV3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Ford Explorer and 89% for the Kia EV3. That gives the Kia EV3 a modest edge in retained real-world range. Both use NMC-type cells, so for daily use keep the charge limit near 80% to slow degradation. Both batteries carry a 8-year manufacturer warranty.
Go deeper on each car
Visit the full model pages for owner feedback, expert reviews, used prices and battery-health information.
Compare against other rivals
Compare similarly sized and priced electric cars before finalising your shortlist.
More Ford Explorer comparisons
More Kia EV3 comparisons
See both cars in our rankings
EVcarsguide scores every verified EV on price, range, family use and running costs. Here is where this pair appears.
Where the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 rank among the cheapest EVs after the grantWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Ford Explorer and Kia EV3 rank among the best city EVs
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
GuideBuying a Used Ford Explorer EV (2024 on): Standard or Extended Range, RWD or AWD, Recalls & What to Pay
A used electric Ford Explorer buyer’s guide: Standard and Extended Range, RWD and AWD explained, the 2026 battery change, recalls, warranty, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
GuideBuying a Used Kia EV3 (2024 on): Which Battery, the Recall, the 7-Year Warranty & What to Pay
A used Kia EV3 buyer’s guide: Standard and Long Range explained, the instrument-cluster recall, the 7-year warranty left, real-world range, what owners report, what to pay against a new one with the grant, and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .