Summary
- Three electric subcompact hatchbacks go on a 330-mile road trip
- Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq, and Mini Aceman SE are compared
- Kia EV3 has the longest range of 367 miles
- Skoda Elroq is the largest of the group
- Mini Aceman SE is the most efficient but required more charging stops and higher total charging costs than the other two.
Article
The Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq, and Mini Aceman SE are three electric subcompact hatchbacks that recently went on a 330-mile road trip to test their capabilities. The Kia EV3 stands out among the three, with the longest official range rating of 367 miles, compared to the Elroq’s 360 miles and the Mini Aceman SE’s 251 miles. While the Kia EV3 is not currently available in the United States, it is likely to make its debut soon. In terms of pricing, all three vehicles start under $35,000 in the UK, but prices can go up to $45,000 for top trims.
During the road trip, the Kia EV3 and Skoda Elroq fared well on the British motorways, with good estimated ranges after about 100 miles of driving. However, the Mini Aceman SE struggled with comfort on bumpy roads and had a significantly lower estimated range of 88 miles. The Mini required a top-up on the faster French highways, while the Kia and Skoda had range to spare. In terms of comfort and rear passenger space, the Kia EV3 was the most comfortable, followed by the Skoda Elroq and the Mini Aceman.
In terms of efficiency, the Kia EV3 with the big battery pack used 115.8 kWh of energy over 330 miles, averaging 3.1 miles/kWh. It required two charging stops at Tesla Superchargers, which have CCS2 plugs in Europe. The Skoda Elroq averaged 3.3 miles/kWh, as indicated by the trip computer. The Mini Aceman SE reported the best efficiency of 3.5 miles/kWh but required three charging stops, resulting in a higher total charging cost compared to the other two vehicles.
Overall, the Kia EV3 impressed with its long range and comfortable driving experience during the road trip. The Skoda Elroq also performed well, with good efficiency and comfort levels. On the other hand, the Mini Aceman SE struggled with comfort and efficiency, requiring more charging stops and resulting in higher costs. While electric cars are already available with competitive ranges and prices, it is essential to consider factors like comfort, efficiency, and charging infrastructure when choosing a vehicle for long road trips. Ultimately, the Kia EV3 stood out as a promising option in the subcompact crossover segment.
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