Base Model Battle – Kia EV3, Škoda Elroq, or Volvo EX30?

Product reviewed

A “triple test” of three entry/lower-trim compact electric family crossovers:

• Kia EV3 Air
• Škoda Elroq 50 (SE trim)
• Volvo EX30 Plus

The video compares them across design, practicality (boot + rear seats), interior/tech user experience, driving feel, and value/range/charging—with multiple speakers taking different angles.

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Key features & specs mentioned (by model)

Kia EV3 Air (entry trim)

• Starting price (as tested): ~£33,500
• Powertrain: 201 hp, 0–60 mph ~7.5s
• Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive (noted as the only FWD of the three)
• Battery & range:
  • 58.5 kWh
  • ~270 miles combined (WLTP stated as “total combined mileage”)
• Charging:
  • Fast charge: 10–80% ~0.5 hour (30 min) stated as “half an hour” from nought to 80%
  • 7 kW home wallbox: ~12 hours to 100%
• Equipment highlights (even on base):
  • Heated seats / heated screens
  • Wireless Apple CarPlay + Android Auto
  • Multiple charging ports
  • Wireless charging not included: “you don’t get the wireless charging”
• Driving controls/ADAS usability:
  • Regen adjustable via steering-wheel paddles
  • ADAS toggles via long-press controls on the steering wheel/volume button (less screen “faffing” than others)

Design notes

• “Future/tomorrow” styling; Marmite opinion.
• Entry paint limited: Sunset Orange only; blue costs extra ~£600.
• GT-Line adds styling changes (matte vs gloss black accents, headlight differences), but base stays more limited.

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Volvo EX30 Plus

• Starting price (as tested): ~£34,410
  • (Volvo “core” not available in press fleet; plus described as the next step)
• Powertrain: 272 hp
• 0–60 mph: ~5.7s (quickest of the three)
• Layout/handling: Rear-wheel drive
• Battery & range:
  • Battery stated as 35.1 kWh
  • ~209 miles (WLTP stated as smallest WLTP range)
• Charging:
  • Fast charge: up to 158 kW
  • 10–80%: ~28 minutes
  • 7 kW home: ~9 hours to full
• Equipment notes (Plus vs Core):
  • Plus adds items like two-tone paint, power tailgate, and “a couple of extra bits”
  • Harman Kardon audio mentioned as standard on the Plus (but not on core)
• Interior/user experience criticisms:
  • “Everything’s on the screen” (no dedicated driver instrument display in front)
  • One-pedal / regen and key functions require screen interaction
  • Glovebox requires touching the screen (no physical button)
  • Mirror adjustment described as awkward/Tesla-like UI and buggy-feeling
• Practicality notes:
  • Boot space lowest: 318 L
  • With seats folded: ~940 L? (subtitle shows “94”; exact figure unclear but presented as reduced number)
  • Under-bonnet storage noted as present but “tiny” (only one with it)
  • Cabin “claustrophobic” rear environment due to dark headliner + narrow feel.

Design notes

• “Scandi design,” considered timeless and recognizably Volvo.
• Two-tone paint only on Plus (black roof + coated mirrors).
• Rear practicality is noticeably weaker vs Kia/Skoda: Volvo is described as smaller overall.

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Škoda Elroq 50 (SE trim)

• Starting price (as tested):
  • ~£31,500
  • With silver metallic paint: ~£32,180
  • Mentioned as the cheapest of the three in base form
• Powertrain (as tested): 170 PS
• 0–60 mph: ~8.7s (slower than Kia and Volvo)
• Range & charging:
  • 55 kW battery (pack size referred to; subtitle wording described as “55 kW battery”)
  • Range: ~232 miles
  • Fast charge: 145 kW
  • 0–80%: “about half an hourish”
  • 7 kW home: ~8.5 hours
• Driving feel (as described):
  • More refined/quiet than Kia (some wind noise kept in check)
  • Best ride refinement for long distance among them
  • Steering + controls described as easy to use; screen less distracting than Volvo, but still EV platform-based
• Interior/user experience highlights:
  • Small screen but “right amount of information,” with more physical usability than Volvo
  • Only one with round steering wheel among the three (praised)
  • Base model still feels premium due to recycled/contrast materials
  • Missing items on base: fewer/some USB ports and no USB in rear (downside)
• Sustainability/materials:
  • Mentions recycled materials and design language changes
  • Presented as strongly aligned with sustainability messaging across brands.

Practicality notes (boot + details)

• Boot space winner: 470 L
• With seats folded: ~1,580 L
• Boot design praised:
  • Removable shelf/levels (called clever)
  • Hooks for shopping bags
  • Pop-down/stopper device to prevent bags sliding
  • Storage for accessories (umbrella/ice scraper/boot-lid items mentioned)
  • Light at the top of boot (only one mentioned with this)
• Rear-seat experience described as more voluminous and comfortable than Volvo.

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Main pros and cons (unique points raised)

Pros mentioned

Škoda Elroq 50

• Best family practicality: huge boot (470 L / 1,580 L) and clever storage features
• Feels premium despite base trim (materials + detail)
• Long-distance comfort/refinement and easy-to-live-with usability
• Presented as the “best all-rounder” for families

Kia EV3 Air

• Best ease-of-use: ADAS toggles and core controls via physical/steering-wheel shortcuts
• Refined drive for the money; “easy car to live with”
• Strong charging/range balance for the class (~270 miles)
• Comfortable for daily family use; FWD viewed as adequate/easy
• Boot usability helped by a variable-height boot floor

Volvo EX30 Plus

• Best driving performance feel: quickest (272 hp, 0–60 ~5.7s) and rear-wheel drive character
• Scandi design praised as timeless and recognizably Volvo
• Interior materials/sustainability approach praised (neoprene/denim-like textures)
• Audio quality praised (Harman Kardon on Plus)

Cons mentioned

Škoda Elroq 50

• Base infotainment/control limitations: smaller screen with basic info
• Some controls/info harder to reach (heating/temperature navigation noted as less straightforward)
• No USB connectors in the rear explicitly called out as a downside

Kia EV3 Air

• Base interior feels “gray” / too much gray plastic (vs nicer higher trims)
• Limited color range at entry level; special colors cost extra
• Rear boot access/shape criticized: described as shallow until boot floor is lowered; space “smaller than you think”
• Minor subjective: wife disliked seat material

Volvo EX30 Plus

• Smallest boot and weak rear practicality:
  • Boot 318 L and only up to ~940 L when folded (as stated)
  • Rear cabin described as narrow/claustrophobic, dark headliner, limited storage/cupholders
• UX/driver display issue: “everything on screen” and missing dedicated driver display
• More distraction because key functions require screen interactions
• Some UI actions criticized as awkward/buggy (mirror adjustment)
• Lowest range: ~209 miles WLTP stated

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User experience / usability differences highlighted

• Kia: praised for physical steering-wheel shortcut controls, making day-to-day use easier (regen paddles, long-press ADAS toggles).
• Volvo: criticized for screen-centric controls—needing eye movement and touch interactions; missing driver display causes annoyance.
• Škoda: “better balance”—small screen doesn’t dominate as much; controls easier than Volvo, though heating/temperature access can be fiddly.

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Verdict: overall recommendation (based on the video)

• The panel agrees the Škoda Elroq is the best compact electric family car overall.
  • It wins on boot/practicality and is described as the best all-rounder.
• Volvo EX30 Plus is the best driving-focused choice (performance and steering feel), but loses heavily on space/practicality and infotainment UX.
• Kia EV3 Air is a strong refined, easy-to-live-with option, but is judged behind the Škoda for family practicality and behind the Volvo for driver appeal.

Final “top pick”

• #1 (overall family): Škoda Elroq 50
• The video also states that if picking a driver’s car, the Volvo would win, but for family use, the Škoda wins.

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Ratings / numerical scores

• No formal star ratings are given.
• Key numbers provided in the discussion include:
  • 0–60: Volvo 5.7s, Kia 7.5s, Škoda 8.7s
  • Range (~WLTP / stated): ~209 / 270 / 232 miles
  • Boot volumes: 318 / 470 liters

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Speakers / viewpoints (who emphasized what)

• Rod (driving + practicality balance): backed strong driving feel for Volvo, but leaned to Škoda as family choice; noted Kia was less surprising than expected.
• Charlie (design + cabin feel + comfort): praised Volvo and Škoda interiors/design language; emphasized Škoda “doesn’t feel like a base car” and that Volvo’s rear space is tight.
• Brian (host/overall synthesis): framed the test as base-trim “real world” value; concluded Škoda Elroq as best overall family EV, detailing boot/practicality win while acknowledging Volvo’s driver appeal but limitations.