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Kia EV3 vs Tesla Model Y
Selected trimStandard Range 58.3kWhChange trim270 mi · 58.3 kWh · £33,055
Selected trimRWDChange trim314 mi · Not available · £41,990
At a glance
In this comparison, Kia EV3 leads on city driving, while the Tesla Model Y leads on motorway range, family practicality and charging speed.
Which should you choose?
Choose the Kia EV3 if...
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
Choose the Tesla Model Y if...
- you do long motorway journeys - it has the best estimated real-world range at speed
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you want the lowest running costs - from just 1.9p per mile on off-peak electricity
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The Tesla Model Y leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Kia
6.3
Tesla
6.5
Too close to call
Motorway RangeTesla
Kia
4.1
Tesla
5.8
FamilyTesla
Kia
6.5
Tesla
7.8
ChargingTesla
Kia
4
Tesla
7
Cost Per MileTesla
Kia
6
Tesla
7.7
City DrivingKia
Kia
7.4
Tesla
3
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 | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £33,055 (better) | £41,990 |
| Official range | 270 miles | 314 miles (better) |
| Boot space | 460 L | 854 L (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge | 29 min | Not available |
| 0-62 mph | 7.5 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
Size Comparison
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Kia EV3
Tesla Model Y
Length
Kia EV34,310mm-484mm
Tesla Model Y4,794mm
Width
Kia EV31,850mm-131mm
Tesla Model Y1,981mm
Height
Kia EV31,570mm-51mm
Tesla Model Y1,621mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,310 mm | 4,794 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,850 mm (better) | 1,981 mm |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,129 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,621 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m (better) | 12.1 m |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 550 mm spare (better) | 419 mm spare |
People & luggage
Compare seating, child-seat mounting points, boot space and towing capacity.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| ISOFIX child-seat points | 2 | Not available |
| Boot space (seats up) | 460 L | 854 L (better) |
| Boot space (seats down) | Not available | 2118 L |
| Frunk | 25 L | 117 L (better) |
| Towing capacity (braked) | Not available | 0 kg |
How each stacks up
Percentile ranks against UK EVs of the same body style.
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.
Tesla Model Y
- 3rd-largest boot among SUVs in our catalogue at 854 L.
- A 117 L frunk, one of 6 of 232 UK EVs in our catalogue with a front boot of 117 L or more.
- Uses 138 Wh/km on the WLTP cycle, more efficient than 100% of SUVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh |  Tesla Model Y RWD |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.31m | 4.79m+484mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.98m+131mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.13m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.62m+51mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.68m | Not available |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 162mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 460L | 854L (better) |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 2118L |
| Frunk | 25L | 117L (better) |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m (better) | 12.1m |
| Kerb Weight | 1,800kg (better) | 1,906kg |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58.3kWh | Not available |
| Range (WLTP) | 270 mi | 314 mi (better) |
| Max DC Charge | 127kW | 175kW (better) |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,055 (better) | £41,990 |
| Price after EV grant | £31,555 (-£1,500) | £41,990 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | SUV |
| Available | 2024+ | 2025+ |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 270 miles | 314 miles (better) |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 193 miles | 251 miles (better) |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min | Not available |
| Max rapid charge rate | 127 kW | 175 kW (better) |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW | Not available |
| Energy consumption | 149 Wh/km | 138 Wh/km (better) |
| Usable battery capacity | 58.3 kWh | Not available |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | LFP |
Driving & everyday use
Performance & drivetrain
Compare acceleration, power and drivetrain specifications for the selected trims.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 0-62 mph | 7.5 sec | 6.9 sec (better) |
| Power | 150 kW | Not available |
| Torque | 283 Nm | Not available |
| Drivetrain | FWD | RWD |
What the critics say
See how UK motoring publications rate each car in their road tests.
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
8.5/10
average across 5 reviews
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Auto Express4.5/5
- Parkers4.2/5
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
Kia EV3
All 3 videos
Reviews and videos discuss each model overall; the specifications above apply to your selected trims.
Prices & deals
New and used prices
Current pricing and recent used-market behaviour.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| Used market price from | £25,220 | £38,121 |
| Average used price | £25,750 | £40,783 |
| Saving vs RRP | £7,305 below new | £1,207 below new |
Used prices are indicative figures gathered from independent UK dealer listings and change frequently.
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 - 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)
Euro NCAP - Tesla Model Y RWD
Tested 2025
Adult Occupant91%
Child Occupant93%
Vulnerable Road Users86%
Safety Assist92%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | Tesla Model YRWD |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
Tesla Model Y
RWD
Owners love
- Spacious interior with generous cargo capacity makes it practical for families, easily accommodating five passengers plus luggage
- Low running costs versus petrol and diesel, especially with home charging
- Outstanding Supercharger network makes long-distance travel effortless and enables trip planning comparable to petrol cars
Watch out for
- Depreciation concerns affect both purchase values and PCP lease terms as rapid model iterations reduce resale viability
- Autopilot struggles reliably with small roads, parked cars, junctions, and speed limit changes despite heavy marketing
- Harsh suspension ride remains problematic for some owners, though newer generation improvements are noticeable
Owner tips
- Consider a nearly new or pre-facelift car over new to limit depreciation
- Choose LFP battery models if available to avoid strict battery charging discipline and benefit from greater longevity
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia EV3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Tesla Model Y
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Live used listings
Active inventory from independent UK dealers.
Kia EV3
No active listings.
Tesla Model Y
- £38,1212025Car360View
- £43,4442025Castle EVView
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tesla Model Y worth the extra £8,935 over the Kia EV3?
The Tesla Model Y costs £8,935 more than the Kia EV3. For that premium it adds 43 miles more WLTP range, 48 kW faster peak rapid charging and 394 litres more boot space. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the Tesla Model Y comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV3 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Kia EV3 is £8,935 cheaper to buy. Running costs are almost identical - about £152 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 £8,895 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 EV3 and Tesla Model Y like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 193 miles for the Kia EV3 and 251 miles for the Tesla Model Y - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Tesla Model Y goes roughly 58 miles further between charging stops.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV3 or the Tesla Model Y?
The Kia EV3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 131 mm narrower than the Tesla Model Y. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 550 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV3 and about 419 mm of total clearance for the Tesla Model Y. The Kia EV3 also turns in a 1.7 m tighter circle, which helps with U-turns and multi-storey ramps.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia EV3 or the Tesla Model Y?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Kia EV3 and 90% for the Tesla Model Y. That is close enough that capacity loss should not decide between them. The Tesla Model Y's LFP-type pack tolerates daily 100% charging, while the Kia EV3's NMC-type pack lasts longest kept to about 80% for everyday use. 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 Kia EV3 comparisons
More Tesla Model Y 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 EV3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best electric SUVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV3 and Tesla Model Y rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .