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Kia EV3 vs VW ID.3 (2020-2023)
Selected trimStandard Range 58.3kWhChange trim270 mi · 58.3 kWh · £33,055
Selected trimPure Performance 45 kWh · 2021-22Change trim216 mi · 45 kWh · £29,635
At a glance
The VW ID.3 was replaced by the VW ID.3 Neo in 2026. Compare the Kia EV3 with the VW ID.3 Neo
In this comparison, Kia EV3 stays competitive across the board, while the VW ID.3 leads on family practicality, charging speed and city driving.
Which should you choose?
Choose the VW ID.3 (2020-2023) if...
- you need the most family-friendly option with good safety and space
- you need the fastest charging of these options
- you drive in the city - it's compact with an excellent turning circle
How we reached the recommendation
Verdict
Our take
The VW ID.3 leads in the most categories, but each car here has its strengths.
Value
Kia
6.3
VW
6.1
Too close to call
Motorway Range
Kia
4.1
VW
3.8
Too close to call
FamilyVW
Kia
6.5
VW
7.4
ChargingVW
Kia
4
VW
5.2
Cost Per Mile
Kia
6
VW
5.8
Too close to call
City DrivingVW
Kia
7.4
VW
8.2
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 EV3
VW ID.3
Length
Kia EV34,310mm
VW ID.34,261mm-49mm
Width
Kia EV31,850mm
VW ID.31,809mm-41mm
Height
Kia EV31,570mm
VW ID.31,568mm-2mm
Space, size & parking
Parking & manoeuvring
Compare exterior dimensions to assess how each car fits UK parking spaces.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,310 mm | 4,261 mm |
| Width (mirrors folded) | 1,850 mm | 1,809 mm (better) |
| Width with mirrors out | Not available | 2,015 mm |
| Height | 1,570 mm | 1,568 mm |
| Turning circle | 10.4 m | 10.2 m (better) |
| Clearance in a standard bayA standard UK parking bay is 2,400 mm wide. | 550 mm spare | 591 mm spare (better) |
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 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.
VW ID.3
- Peak DC charging of 110 kW, faster than 85% of hatchback EVs in our catalogue.
- 2,770 mm wheelbase, longer than 95% of hatchback EVs we track.
Full specifications
| Specification |  Kia EV3 Standard Range 58.3kWh |  VW ID.3 Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | ||
| Length | 4.31m | 4.26m-49mm |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.81m-41mm |
| Width (mirrors) | Not available | 2.02m |
| Height | 1.57m | 1.57m-2mm |
| Wheelbase | 2.68m | 2.77m+90mm |
| Ground Clearance | Not available | 150mm |
| Capacity | ||
| Boot (seats up) | 460L (better) | 385L |
| Boot (seats down) | Not available | 1267L |
| Frunk | 25L (better) | Not available |
| Seats | 5 | 5 |
| Practicality | ||
| Turning Circle | 10.4m | 10.2m (better) |
| Kerb Weight | 1,800kg | 1,781kg (better) |
| Electric | ||
| Battery | 58.3kWh (better) | 45kWh |
| Range (WLTP) | 270 mi (better) | 216 mi |
| Max DC Charge | 127kW (better) | 110kW |
| Pricing | ||
| UK MSRP | £33,055 | £29,635 (better) |
| Price after EV grant | £31,555 (-£1,500) | £29,635 (not eligible) |
| Details | ||
| Body Style | SUV | Hatchback |
| Available | 2024+ | 2021–2022 |
Range & charging
Range, charging & battery
Check official and estimated driving range alongside charging speeds, efficiency and battery technology.
| Measure | Kia EV3Standard Range 58.3kWh | VW ID.3Pure Performance 45 kWh |
|---|---|---|
| Official range (WLTP) | 270 miles (better) | 216 miles |
| Estimated motorway rangeEVcarsguide estimate at sustained motorway speed. | 193 miles (better) | 155 miles |
| 10-80% rapid charge time | 29 min (better) | 30 min |
| Max rapid charge rate | 127 kW (better) | 110 kW |
| Home AC charging | 11 kW (better) | 7.2 kW |
| Energy consumption | 149 Wh/km (better) | 150 Wh/km |
| Usable battery capacity | 58.3 kWh (better) | 45 kWh |
| Battery chemistry | NCMA | NMC |
| Battery architecture | Not available | 400V |
| Heat pump | Not available | Not 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. One car has more review coverage than the other - we show that rather than guessing.
Kia EV3
Standard Range 58.3kWh
8.5/10
average across 5 reviews
- Auto Express4.5/5
- DrivingElectric4.5/5
- Parkers4.2/5
VW ID.3
Pure Performance 45 kWh
No critic reviews gathered yet for this car.
Watch the reviews
Watch selected video reviews here, or visit each model page for the full collection.
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.
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 - VW ID.3 Pure Performance 45 kWh
Tested 2020
Adult Occupant87%
Child Occupant89%
Vulnerable Road Users71%
Safety Assist88%
Full result on euroncap.com (opens in new tab)
Warranty
Check the published battery warranty cover for each selected trim.
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 infotainment & software, dealer & service support. Worth checking on a test drive whichever you choose.
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.
VW ID.3
Pure Performance 45 kWh
Owners love
- Owners find it roomy for its size, with a practical hatchback boot and a cabin that feels bigger than the Golf-sized body suggests
- The 3.x software updates are widely reported to have improved the infotainment, charging speed and efficiency on early cars
- Comfortable and quiet on long trips, with efficient cruising and dependable rapid charging on motorway routes
Watch out for
- Early software was slow and glitchy, and owners describe long waits for dealer-installed updates, a few of which failed part-way
- The infotainment and touch-slider controls for volume and temperature remain the most common day-to-day complaint
- Driver aids draw complaints: lane assist is hard to switch off, and speed-limit recognition and adaptive cruise can react to the wrong limit
Owner tips
- Check the software version on the infotainment screen and ask whether the 3.x updates have been done
- Ask for evidence of any battery module work and check the car's battery health with a scan before buying
Buying options
Get a quote
Kia EV3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
VW ID.3
Used on AutoTraderLease deals
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kia EV3 worth the extra £3,420 over the VW ID.3?
The Kia EV3 costs £3,420 more than the VW ID.3. For that premium it adds 54 miles more WLTP range, 75 litres more boot space and 40 kW more power. On EVcarsguide's combined category scores, the VW ID.3 comes out ahead overall.
Which is cheaper to own over 5 years, the Kia EV3 or the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.3 is £3,420 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 VW ID.3 comes out roughly £3,380 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 VW ID.3 like on a long motorway trip?
EVcarsguide estimates a real-world motorway range of about 193 miles for the Kia EV3 and 155 miles for the VW ID.3 - both below their WLTP figures, because sustained high speed is the hardest case for an EV. The Kia EV3 goes roughly 37 miles further between charging stops. Both rapid-charge to 80% in a similar time, around 29-30 minutes.
Which is easier to park and drive in town, the Kia EV3 or the VW ID.3?
The VW ID.3 is the easier car for tight UK car parks: it is 41 mm narrower than the Kia EV3. In a standard 2,400 mm bay that leaves about 591 mm of total clearance for the VW ID.3 and about 550 mm of total clearance for the Kia EV3.
Which battery will hold up better as a used buy, the Kia EV3 or the VW ID.3?
Over a 8-year ownership window EVcarsguide's degradation model projects roughly 89% battery health for the Kia EV3 and 87% for the VW ID.3. 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 Kia EV3 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 EV3 and VW ID.3 rank among the best family EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and VW ID.3 rank among EVs under £40,000Where the Kia EV3 and VW ID.3 rank among the best motorway EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and VW ID.3 rank among the best city EVsWhere the Kia EV3 and VW ID.3 rank among the cheapest EVs to runWhere the Kia EV3 and VW ID.3 rank among EVs with the biggest boots
Further reading
Explore buying and ownership guides to help you choose between these electric cars.
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.
GuideBuying a Used VW ID.3 (2020-2023): Which Version, Software, Battery Warranty & What to Pay
A used Volkswagen ID.3 buyer’s guide: Pure Performance, Pro, Pro Performance and Pro S explained, why the software version matters, the 8-year battery warranty, real-world range, recalls including the 2026 battery check, what owners report, what to pay and a printable checklist.
Data accuracy
Specs are sourced from manufacturer websites and manually reviewed. These figures were last verified .