2025.02.25 Kia
A Journey to Perfect Relaxation with the Kia EV3
As our daily lives grow busier, the moments to relax and reflect become even more precious. We embarked on a journey with the Kia EV3, a mobile infrastructure that enriches our lifestyle.
That day, the stress had built up to a point where I could barely manage it. My shoulders were stiff, and my mind felt clouded, making it hard to think clearly. I thought I had been holding up well, but for some reason, that day felt different from the others. I needed to escape the daily routine, even if just for a moment. I wanted to stretch my body with yoga in a quiet place, prepare a rich, flavorful cup of tea, and savor it slowly. I believed that this would allow me to return to my daily life feeling refreshed and more productive. Sometimes, all it takes is a quick getaway. Fortunately, the Kia EV3 was waiting for me in the parking lot, standing tall and stylish.
The Kia EV3 is available in two versions: Standard and Long Range. The Standard model can travel up to 350 km with 17-inch wheels, while the Long Range model offers a range of up to 501 km with 17-inch wheels, excluding the built-in camera. With more than 500 km of range on a single charge, there is no need to worry about distance on a journey with the EV3. I once heard of someone who drove all the way from near Seoul to Busan, covering an impressive 434 km to Haeundae, with over 100 km of range still remaining. According to what I heard, the energy efficiency was an outstanding 7 km/kWh.
You might wonder how often you will need to drive from Seoul to Busan in a year, but there is still something reassuring about it. Both the Standard model’s 58.3 kWh and the Long Range model’s 81.4 kWh batteries feature the 4th-generation high-voltage battery, which has significantly enhanced efficiency. This allows the EV to pack more power into a compact space, enabling it to travel farther. This has made me feel much more reassured, making it a perfect example of how technology can bring peace of mind.
The EV3, waiting in the parking lot, was fully charged. As soon as you step inside, the interior feels serene and comfortable, with ample space. When you close the door, it feels almost like being cut off from the outside world, with a silence that envelops you. Thanks to this, pressing the power button and playing your favorite music lets you truly experience 'music appreciation.' This is the perfect beginning to genuine relaxation and an authentic journey.
With such a relaxed mindset even before setting off, being caught in traffic no longer fazes me. Moreover, despite its size, the interior of the EV3 feels unexpectedly spacious, making it comfortable to remain seated for long periods without feeling fatigued. The space beneath the seat offers ample room for your feet, and the area between the passenger seat and the console is both tidy and spacious. If you need to place something, the sliding console table proves quite useful. With its comfortable interior and unobstructed, panoramic view through the wide display, it is easy to feel completely at ease.
Although it might seem like a minor detail, I personally believe the mesh headrest is an excellent choice. The moment your head touches it, the heat from exhaustion feels instantly cooled. This can make a significant difference in comfort, especially on hot days. The sensation against the back of your head and the cushioning support are perfectly balanced, providing just the right level of comfort.
What is the most important part of a short getaway like this? The destination? The people you are with? I believe it is more about the journey itself—the time spent on the road. Sitting in the spacious EV3 and listening to music through the Harman Kardon speakers feels as though the sound is coming from a home audio system in the living room. It is all about savoring the journey itself.
When it comes to scenery, I prefer seeing plenty of green. I don’t need many specifics—just a bit of distance from the city's gray tones or nighttime lights and a shift in color is all I ask. Whether it is sunny or cloudy does not matter much. I am simply heading toward more greenery, driving from one mountain landscape to the next.
The most surprising part is the driving experience from the EV3's driver’s seat. Could a compact SUV truly offer such a smooth ride? I found myself consistently impressed, enjoying the level of comfort and refinement typically reserved for much larger SUVs.
When discussing electric vehicle performance, people often use phrases like “instant maximum torque with a press of the accelerator.” This characteristic is where EVs truly stand out from internal combustion engines, which build acceleration through gear shifts. Although the Kia EV3 certainly provides the powerful acceleration typical of an electric vehicle, focusing solely on its speed and strength misses its true appeal. The EV3 instead offers a serene experience, capturing those rare, brilliant moments in calm, unhurried motion. Take a step back—we have been rushing through so much already, both in our work and in the fast-paced demands of city life.
The sensation of crossing bumps is equally refined. While larger batteries typically bring added weight, the EV3 manages it all with remarkable ease. It effectively blocks out uncomfortable vibrations from the outside, maintaining a balance that is neither too soft nor too rigid. Even the sounds from the body frame are finely tuned. Electric vehicles are inherently more sensitive to noise due to the absence of an engine, and the natural quietness of EVs makes even the slightest sounds more noticeable. Nonetheless, the EV3 offers an exceptionally quiet experience.
I decided to spend some time on the grass, surrounded by greenery, before reaching my destination. This was not only to fully savor the sense of relaxation that comes with a true 'pause,' but also because I was eager to experience the Relaxation Comfort Seat from the driver’s seat. Many people may hesitate when deciding whether to choose this option. However, I would personally recommend including it. Even if you use it only occasionally, I believe it offers excellent value as one of the best convenience features.
No matter how quiet and comfortable the ride may be, sitting in the same position for an extended period will naturally lead to physical discomfort. At times like these, the Relaxation Comfort Seat adjusts to the perfect angle, relieving the strain from a tense posture. Before you know it, you may find yourself closing your eyes, perhaps even drifting into a light nap. When you awaken, you will not only feel more refreshed but may also find a deeper appreciation for this vehicle. It is truly an irresistible feature.
It is worth taking a moment to step back and admire the EV3 from a distance in an open, spacious area. Opportunities to appreciate a car’s design in this way are rare, especially in cities where even finding a parking spot can be a challenge. In a setting like this, however, you can truly take in the EV3's high-quality design and feel an even greater sense of admiration.
It is about observing how the lines and surfaces of the design interact harmoniously—from the shape of the wheel arches and wheels to the seamless transition of the lines from the daytime running lights to the rear lamps. Notice how some curved areas enhance beauty, while others are broader, giving the car a strong, dependable presence. The door handle, cleverly concealed in the C-pillar, not only contributes to improving aerodynamic performance but also demonstrates how removing even a single element can make the car appear simpler and more refined. It is all about appreciating these nuances through your own sense of style.
Once you arrive at your destination, you will finally encounter the true relaxation you have been longing for. As you know, even the act of resting requires a bit of energy. When you are utterly exhausted, all you want to do is collapse—you are not in the mood for yoga stretches or brewing a cup of tea. However, through the journey from Seoul to here, the stress that had been weighing on my mind has melted away, and the fatigue that had been stiffening my body has eased. As a result, a sense of calm now fills my heart. In this beautiful space, I can genuinely relax with gratitude, all while gazing at the EV3.
Great acceleration, smooth braking, and agile handling—these are often seen as the hallmarks of a 'good car.' Yet, it seems we have entered an era where the ability to understand and cater to the needs of the human body and mind has become even more crucial. An electric car that offers a well-deserved respite from the exhaustion of city life. A compact electric SUV brimming with endless value. Throughout my time with the Kia EV3, I couldn't help but feel that it is time to redefine what truly makes a great car.
By Jung Woo-sung (Lifestyle Columnist, CEO of The Park
Film by HMG Journal
Photography by Choi Min-seok
