Kia EV3 vs Lotus Eletre
Two electric SUVs go head to head. Which EV is the better buy for Australian drivers in 2026?
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Track the Kia EV3 & Lotus Eletre
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Price Breakdown
Pricing for one or both models is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market. We will update this comparison when official RRPs are announced.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Charging Times
How long each takes to charge — from a household power point to ultra-rapid DC — estimated from battery size and max charge rates.
How long to charge
81.4kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 101kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (11kW AC, 101kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
How long to charge
112kWh usablePublic DC
50kW charger · 0–80%
Ultra-rapid DC
up to 350kW · 0–80%
Estimates from usable battery size and the car's max charge rates (22kW AC, 350kW DC). Real times vary with temperature, starting charge, charger output and the charging curve.
Feature Showdown
The Kia EV3 features a 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with a 12.3-inch digital dash, while the Lotus Eletre gets a 15.1-inch display and 12.6-inch instruments. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across both.
The Kia EV3 stands out with V2L that you will not find on the Lotus Eletre. The Lotus Eletre counters with head-up display, wireless charging, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and KEF audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Interior trim differs: the Kia EV3 gets cloth upholstery while the Lotus Eletre offers leather. Climate control is 2-zone in the Kia EV3 and 4-zone in the Lotus Eletre.
Drivetrain
The Kia EV3 uses a Electric producing 150kW and 283Nm of torque, sent through a automatic to a FWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 7.5 seconds.
The Lotus Eletre responds with a Electric Motor making 450kW and 710Nm, paired to a automatic driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.5 seconds.
The Lotus Eletre has the clear power advantage at 450kW vs 150kW. In the real-world sprint, the Lotus Eletre is 3.0s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Battery: 58.3kWh (Kia EV3) vs 112kWh (Lotus Eletre), giving WLTP ranges of 559km and 530km. DC fast charging peaks at 101kW (Kia EV3) vs 350kW (Lotus Eletre).
Space & Comfort
The Kia EV3 measures 4,300mm long on a 2,680mm wheelbase, 803mm shorter than the Lotus Eletre at 5,103mm (3,019mm wheelbase). The longer wheelbase on the Lotus Eletre generally means more rear legroom.
Boot space is 460L in the Kia EV3 and 611L in the Lotus Eletre, giving the Lotus Eletre a 151L advantage.
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
10.4m diameter
Good
Based on 10.4m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator — U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Good
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 9.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m — clears in one
U-turn on a standard street
7 m — 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide — fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m — swings in
Narrow laneway
3.5 m — no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Running cost data is not yet available for both models. We will update when figures are confirmed.
Warranty: 7 years / 999,999km (Kia EV3) vs 5 years / 999,999km (Lotus Eletre). The Kia EV3 has longer coverage.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Kia EV3 if: You value a longer warranty, or prefer Kia's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Lotus Eletre if: You prioritise performance, need more boot space, or prefer Lotus's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The Lotus Eletre takes 6 of 9 key spec categories. If boot space matters, the Lotus Eletre has a clear edge. The Kia EV3 adds peace of mind with a longer 7-year warranty. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Kia EV3 and Lotus Eletre?
The Kia EV3 is the cheapest at $48,315 before on-road costs.
Which has the longest driving range?
The Lotus Eletre has the most range at 535km (WLTP).
Which charges fastest?
The Lotus Eletre accepts the highest DC charging at up to 350kW.
Which is safest?
They are evenly matched — Kia EV3 all hold a 5-star ANCAP rating. Compare the active-safety features above to separate them.
Which has the most boot space?
The Lotus Eletre has the largest boot at 611L.
Which has the best warranty?
The Kia EV3 has the longest warranty at 7 years / Unlimited.
Which is the most powerful?
The Lotus Eletre makes the most power at 450kW. The Lotus Eletre is quickest to 100km/h in 4.5s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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