So what did I think, firstly this is a very important size category for Kia. Think of the EV5 as an electric Kia Sportage which is a big seller for Kia, so it’s important for this to do well as it’s going to sit right in the middle of the range and likely be one of their volume cars. This is the kind of car that for a lot of people will be their first EV, so it needs to get the basics right more than anything else.
Price and Specification
Let’s start with the price, at £39,345 you get the entry level Air specification, going up to £48,045 for the top specification GT Line S with heat pump.
All of the UK specification ones feature the 81.4kWh battery, so there’s no cheaper smaller battery option, but it does mean you’re getting the full range capability whichever version you go for. They all have a WLTP range of 329 miles, which on paper is competitive for this class.
It also keeps things simple from a buying point of view, you’re really just choosing how much equipment you want rather than worrying about battery sizes, which some people will prefer.
Platform and Charging
Interior space, think of it as a scaled up EV3, but I’ll come onto that properly in a bit.
Unfortunately this increase in size doesn’t extend to an upgrade to the 800v architecture of the Kia EV6, so you are limited to a maximum of 150kW charging speed.
Now that’s not slow, and in day to day use it will be absolutely fine for most people, especially if you’re mainly charging at home. But it does feel like a bit of a missed opportunity when Kia already has that faster charging tech available in the range.
For longer journeys it just means you’ll be spending a bit more time at rapid chargers compared to something like an EV6, but again, not a deal breaker.
Efficiency and Real World Range
So now on to the efficiency, with an official range of 329 miles with mixed driving, it was doing the typical Kia thing of over delivering, showing at least 340+ miles of real world range most of the time.
That’s always nice to see because it gives you a bit more confidence in the car, especially if you’re new to EVs.
On my Eco test it actually managed 5mpkWh so that gives it a theoretical range well into the 400s, which for something this size is really impressive and definitely one of its stronger points.
Even on a hard 70mph motorway slog it was still delivering over 250 miles at single digit temperatures, which is exactly the kind of driving that usually hurts EVs the most, so that’s a strong result. When is the warmer weather going to arrive.
In general it just feels like a very efficient car for its size, and that’s going to matter more to most people than outright performance.
Interior Space and Practicality
As for interior space, like I said it’s a fair step up from the Kia EV3, and this is where I think it justifies itself more.
You’ve got more room in the back, better legroom, and it just feels more like a proper family SUV rather than a slightly raised hatchback. It’s very much in that same space as the Sportage, which is exactly where it needs to be.
Boot space is solid as well, not class leading, but more than enough for most people and easily usable day to day, whether that’s shopping, luggage, or general family use.
It’s just an easy car to live with from a practicality point of view.
Features and Technology
As for features, Kia has become a master at giving you the basics you need at a great price point.
This version has heated seats and steering wheel, fully connected nav, and the infotainment system is the usual Kia setup which is a good thing, easy to use and not overly complicated.
The audio system does seem to be a step up in sound quality than the Kia EV4 I had previously, which is a nice bonus and something you do notice on longer journeys.
If you want more features like power tailgate you can always step up to the higher models, all of which start to fall under the luxury car supplement, so that’s something to keep in mind depending on how you spec the car.
Driving Experience
On the road it’s exactly what you’d expect, smooth, quiet and easy to drive.
It’s not trying to be sporty, and that’s fine, it suits the car and what it’s meant to do. Most people buying this won’t be looking for that anyway.
Ride comfort is good, it deals with bumps well enough, and it’s just a relaxed place to be whether you’re doing short trips or longer motorway runs.
You’ve got that instant EV torque when you need it, but overall it’s more about comfort and just getting on with things, which it does really well.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, a great addition to the Kia electric range, and the ideal electric replacement for the Kia Sportage for those looking to switch.
It doesn’t try to do anything too clever, and it doesn’t necessarily lead the class in every area, but it gets the important things right — efficiency, space, and usability.
For a lot of people that’s going to be exactly what they want, and that’s why this car is such an important one for Kia.