BMW X3 vs Kia EV3
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular SUVs compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 73
Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Nov 2026, price 6 Sep 2026
BMW X3
21 of 27 standard · no option data · 6 no dataFrom
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Petrol
- Engine
- Petrol
- Power
- 140kW
- Economy
- 7.5 L/100kmWLTP test cycle, not directly comparable with ADR 81/02 figures
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 570L
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Kia EV3
17 of 27 standard · no option data · 10 no dataFrom
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs
- Body
- SUV
- Fuel type
- Electric
- Engine
- Electric
- Power
- 150kW
- Energy use
- 12.5 kWh/100km
- Safety
- ANCAP ★5 · 2025
- Boot (seats up)
- 460L
Top CarSorted Score, 81 vs 73
Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
$86,100RRP
- with the Kia EV3's standard kit: $86,100 (nothing to add)
$47,600RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
Price and cost per week
BMW X3 20 xDrive
$86,100
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 24 June 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $375 a week in repayments ($86,100 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
Kia EV3 Air Standard Range
$47,600
RRP, before on-road costs. Checked 6 Sept 2026
No published drive-away price on our record.
About $197 a week in repayments ($47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a.). An estimate, not a loan offer.
The Kia EV3 starts $38,500 lower on RRP.
The Kia EV3 currently qualifies for the electric-vehicle FBT exemption, which applies to novated leases. The BMW X3 does not: only battery-electric vehicles qualify.
On-road costs (stamp duty, registration, CTP and dealer delivery) depend on your state and the dealer; ask for a written drive-away price before you sign.
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Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Safety Rundown
Both the BMW X3 and Kia EV3 hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, tested 2025. Adult occupant protection scored 88% for the BMW X3 and 83% for the Kia EV3.
Where the two diverge is in active safety technology. We can confirm 7 of 10 key ADAS systems on the BMW X3, against 6 on the Kia EV3.
Both include the essentials: autonomous emergency braking, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, a reversing camera. Airbag count is 6 in the BMW X3 and 7 in the Kia EV3.
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Driver assistance, system by system. We can confirm 7 of 10 key systems on the BMW X3 and 6 on the Kia EV3.
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Recalls on our record
BMW X3
- REC-006668 · published 16 Jul 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2025
- REC-006553 · published 4 Mar 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) cooler may develop an internal coolant leak.Year range on the notice: 2010 - 2022
- REC-006539 · published 17 Feb 2026Due to a manufacturing defect, the starter motor solenoid switch can experience increased wear that could cause an internal short circuit.Year range on the notice: 2020 - 2023
- 8 more on the model page.
Kia EV3
- REC-006557 · published 6 Mar 2026Due to a software error, the Instrument Cluster may display a blank screen or may not operate as intended.Year range on the notice: 2025
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Charging times
How long each takes to charge, from a household power point to a DC fast charger, estimated from battery size and the car's own maximum charge rates.
How long to charge
58.3kWh usableEstimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The BMW X3 features a 14.9-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Kia EV3 gets a 12.3-inch display and 12.3-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The BMW X3 stands out with heated front seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Kia EV3. The Kia EV3 counters with V2L. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the BMW X3 gets merino leather upholstery while the Kia EV3 offers cloth. Climate control is 4-zone in the BMW X3 and 2-zone in the Kia EV3.
Equipment few rivals have, on either carShowHide
Drivetrain
The BMW X3 uses a Petrol producing 140kW and 310Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 8.5 seconds.
The Kia EV3 responds with a Electric making 150kW and 283Nm, paired to a automatic driving the front wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 7.5 seconds.
The Kia EV3 has the clear power advantage at 150kW vs 140kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the Kia EV3 is 1.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
The BMW X3 measures 4,755mm long on a 2,865mm wheelbase, 455mm longer than the Kia EV3 at 4,300mm (2,680mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the BMW X3 generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 570L in the BMW X3 and 460L in the Kia EV3, giving the BMW X3 a 110L advantage.
For towing, the BMW X3 leads with a 2,400kg braked capacity vs 500kg. That 1,900kg difference matters if you regularly hitch up.
Neither U-turns in one sweep on a 7 m local street (both need a three-point turn); the Kia EV3's turning circle is 1.7 m tighter, 10.4 m against 12.1 m kerb to kerb. The street estimate is indicative, worked from the published turning circles.
Cost to own
At 15,000 km a year, fuel for the BMW X3 costs about $2,138 a year (7.5 L/100km) and electricity for the Kia EV3 about $600 a year (12.5 kWh/100km), at $1.90 a litre and 32c a kWh.
Warranty: 5 years / Unlimited (BMW X3) and 7 years / Unlimited (Kia EV3).
Where each one leads
The BMW X3: the bigger boot with the seats up (570L against 460L) and the higher braked towing limit (2,400kg against 500kg).
The Kia EV3: the lower starting price ($47,600 against $86,100), more power (150kW against 140kW) and the longer warranty (7 years against 5).
The Verdict
Kia EV3 scores higher, 81 vs 73
The Kia EV3 scores 81 to the BMW X3's 73 on the CarSorted Score, and leads 5 of the 7 spec rows that separate them, at the lower price. The biggest gaps: practicality (BMW X3 ahead by 23 points), value (Kia EV3 ahead by 20 points). Boot space with the seats up: 570L in the BMW X3, 460L in the Kia EV3. Warranty: 5 years on the BMW X3, 7 on the Kia EV3.
Ways to buy
For the 2 cars on this page.
Finance
From ≈$197/wk(≈$854/mo)
Estimate on the Kia EV3 at $47,600 RRP, before on-road costs; assumes $5,000 deposit, 5 yrs at 7.5% p.a. Not a quote or an offer of credit.
Compare real car-loan ratesDriva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link.
Novated lease
Electric, with an RRP under the $91,661 fuel-efficient LCT threshold (2026-27): under the ATO's electric cars exemption a novated lease of an eligible electric car attracts no FBT if luxury car tax was never payable on it. The benefit is still reportable.
Novated lease quoteWork out a lease on the Kia EV3Driva is an independent finance provider, not part of CarSorted. We aren't paid for this link. Opens apply.driva.com.au in a new tab.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, BMW X3 and Kia EV3?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $47,600 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW X3 by $38,500.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched on crash rating: BMW X3 and Kia EV3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP safety rating (tested 2025). Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The BMW X3 has the largest boot at 570L with the seats up.
Which can tow the most?
The BMW X3 has the highest braked towing capacity at 2,400kg.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / unlimited km.
Which is the most powerful?
The Kia EV3 makes the most power at 150kW. The Kia EV3 is quickest to 100km/h in 7.5s.
Track the BMW X3 & Kia EV3
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How to read this page. Prices, specifications, ANCAP ratings, warranty, the CarSorted Score and the verdict come from our records for the grades shown, sourced from the manufacturers' Australian documents, and change when those records change; the date each was last checked is printed under the headline. Prices are recommended retail prices before on-road costs unless marked drive-away. A plug-in hybrid's fuel figure is labelled with its basis: with a full battery (the certified combined figure) or as a hybrid (battery depleted). Charging and running costs are estimates on the stated assumptions. Always confirm price and specification with the manufacturer or dealer before you buy. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
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