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Kia EV2 vs VW ID.3
Selected trimAirChange trim281 mi · 61 kWh · £27,995
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the Kia EV2 with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, Kia EV2 leads on city driving, while the VW ID.3 leads on value for money, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia EV2 if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the VW ID.3 if...
- you want the most for your money - best overall spec per pound
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
ValueVW
Kia
5.1
VW
6.2
Motorway Range
Kia
5.5
VW
5.6
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Kia
2.1
VW
7.4
ChargingVW
Kia
4.8
VW
6.5
Cost Per Mile
Kia
8.3
VW
8.4
Too close to call
City DrivingKia
Kia
8.8
VW
8.1
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.
Size Comparison
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Kia EV2
VW ID.3
Length
Kia EV24,060mm-204mm
VW ID.34,264mm
Width
Kia EV21,800mm-9mm
VW ID.31,809mm
Height
Kia EV21,575mm
VW ID.31,564mm-11mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV2Air | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,060 mm | 4,264 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,800 mm (better) | 1,809 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,015 mm |
| Height | 1,575 mm | 1,564 mm |
| Turning circle | 10 m (better) | 10.2 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 600 mm spare (better) | 591 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
Kia EV2
- At 4,060 mm, shorter than 100% of SUVs in our UK catalogue.
- Eligible for the full £3,750 UK Electric Car Grant, one of 7 SUVs we track that qualifies for the top band.
- One of 33 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with V2L (vehicle-to-load) support.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 145 kW, faster than 90% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 100% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV2 Air |  VW ID.3 Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.06m | 4.26m+204mm |
| Width | 1.80m | 1.81m+9mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.56m-11mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.56m | 2.77m+205mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 362L | 385L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1267L |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.02m (better) | 10.2m |
| Kerb Weight | Not available | 1,787kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 61kWh (better) | 52kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 281 mi (better) | 241 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 150kW (better) | 145kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £27,995 (better) | £30,860 |
| Price after EV grant | £24,245 (-£3,750) | £30,860 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2026+ | 2024–2026 |
* Kia EV2: Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV2Air | VW ID.3Pure Essential |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 281 miles (better) | 241 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 234 miles (better) | 201 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | Not available | 25 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 150 kW (better) | 145 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Usable battery capacity | 61 kWh (better) | 52 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NMC | NMC |
| Battery architecture | 400V | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Standard |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Kia EV2
Air
VW ID.3
Pure Essential
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Kia EV2
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.
Safety & ownership confidence
Euro NCAP - Kia EV2 Air
Kia EV2 Air
Not yet Euro NCAP tested as of 2026-05. Limited-production / halo / pre-launch / new-brand models are typically rated some time after general sale.
Euro NCAP - VW ID.3 Pure Essential
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant86%
Child Occupant87%
Vulnerable Road Users78%
Safety Assist76%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia EV2
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV2
No active listings.
VW ID.3
- £26,2992025Car360View
- £20,9922024Car360View
- £21,6992025Car360View
Frequently asked questions
Is the VW ID.3 worth the extra £2,865 over the Kia EV2?
The VW ID.3 costs £2,865 more than the Kia EV2. For that premium it adds a 1.3s quicker 0-62mph time. The Kia EV2 is not just cheaper - it also offers 40 miles more WLTP range. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV2 or the VW ID.3?
The Kia EV2 is £2,865 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £144 a year either way, at 8,000 miles on an off-peak home tariff. Add 5 years of charging and the Kia EV2 comes out roughly £2,865 cheaper overall. These figures cover list price and home charging only - insurance, servicing, tyres and depreciation will move the real total.
What are the Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 234 miles for the Kia EV2 and 201 miles for the VW ID.3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV2 goes roughly 34 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV2 or the VW ID.3?
The two are within 9 mm on width, so neither is meaningfully easier to thread into a tight space. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 600 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV2 and about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia EV2 or the VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 84% battery health for the Kia EV2 and 87% for the VW ID.3. That gives the VW ID.3 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. The VW ID.3 has the longer battery warranty at 8 years, versus 7 for the Kia EV2.
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 Kia EV2 comparisons
More VW ID.3 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 Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV2 and VW ID.3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
If neither is quite right
Explore other verified electric cars that may better suit the priorities this pair does not meet.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .