Kia EV3 enhanced braking system enables smoother driving and improved efficiency

The Kia EV3 features a regenerative braking system that increases energy efficiency. This helps to reduce the wear on the mechanical brake and lowers the long-term running costs. Now, Kia is taking regenerative braking to the next level, with Smart Regeneration System Plus, available for the EV3 as a new, free feature from the Kia Connect Store.

Regenerative braking converts kinetic energy into electrical energy during coasting. The enhanced Smart Regeneration System Plus uses navigation and route information to make braking and speed adjustments ahead of time, without the driver needing to press the brake. This includes junctions, corners, roundabouts and other road changes. The system also automatically decelerates for changed speed limits, to potentially save drivers from incurring costly speeding fines.

“Even when following a navigated route, junctions and changes to speed limits can sometimes take drivers by surprise, resulting in hard presses on the brake pedal and a lurching driving experience,” said Alexandre Papapetropoulos, Director Product and Pricing at Kia Europe. “Smart Regeneration System Plus delivers a smoother, more stable ride for everyone on board while also adding range to the vehicle through optimised regenerative braking.”

The Kia Connect Store offers digital features and services that can elevate the vehicle’s capabilities and performance, with the vehicle being updated remotely via over-the-air (OTA) updates. Smart Regeneration System Plus is available for free. Once added to the EV3, the system is activated by pulling the right paddle behind the steering wheel for more than one second. AUTO then appears in the driver cluster, and the speed is automatically adjusted using navigation information.*

At junctions, the automatic deceleration function adjusts the speed according to the number of lanes at a junction. Over the course of a journey, smoother driving can help to reduce the prevalence of car sickness, especially in children and pets.

With the versatility and affordability to be the main car of a household, the EV3 is Kia’s dedicated, high-volume EV for the compact SUV market. The vehicle has won awards across Europe, with wins at the Electrifying.com Awards including ‘Car of the Year for 2024’, the News UK Motor Awards for ‘Small SUV/Crossover of the Year’, the TopGear.com Awards for ‘Crossover of the Year’, and most recently was named ‘UK Car of the Year 2025’ in the UK Car of the Year Awards.