THE Kia EV5 arrives in an increasingly crowded electric SUV market. Yes, there are cheaper alternatives, particularly from the growing number of Chinese brands making serious inroads into Europe. But climb inside the EV5 and it quickly becomes apparent that Kia has focused on something altogether more important than headline specifications.
Thoughtful design, for one. The sort of design that leaves physical buttons exactly where you’d hope to find them. The sort that prioritises passenger space over styling gimmicks. The sort that makes you appreciate that the engineers and designers probably spent just as much time living with the car as they did drawing it.
It isn’t perfect, but after spending time with the EV5 GT-Line – finished in understated Gravity Grey – I came away feeling that Kia has produced one of the most convincing family electric SUVs currently on sale. It may ask you to spend a little more than some of its newer rivals, but it also feels like every extra pound has been invested where it really matters.
Overview
The EV5 occupies an increasingly important place within Kia’s expanding electric vehicle family.
Rather than replacing the hugely successful Sportage, it sits alongside it, giving buyers the choice of petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric power without forcing them into one particular solution. It’s a sensible strategy and one that acknowledges the reality that not every household is ready for the same type of powertrain.
Built on Kia’s dedicated E-GMP platform, the EV5 shares its underpinnings with the award-winning EV3, EV6 and EV9, but packages them in a family-friendly SUV that’s almost identical in footprint to the Sportage. That means it offers familiar proportions while making much better use of the available space thanks to its bespoke electric architecture.
Every UK model is powered by the same long-range 81.4kWh battery, with buyers choosing between Air, GT-Line and GT-Line S trim levels. Front-wheel drive is standard across the range, while all-wheel drive is available on selected GT-Line variants for those wanting additional traction. Kia expects the GT-Line Front-Wheel Drive model tested here to be the most popular choice, and it’s easy to understand why.
Priced from £39,345, the range remains competitive despite fierce pressure from newer entrants to the market. The GT-Line tested here carries an on-the-road price of £42,645, placing it directly against established rivals such as the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4 and Renault Scenic E-Tech, while also overlapping with increasingly capable Chinese alternatives.
Power comes from a single front-mounted electric motor producing 214bhp and 295Nm of torque. While those figures won’t dominate conversations at charging stations, they’re more than sufficient for family duties, delivering a 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds and an official WLTP range of 313 miles in GT-Line specification.
Design
The EV5 borrows heavily from the larger EV9, adopting the same upright stance, clean surfacing and unmistakably chunky proportions. It has real presence on the road without feeling unnecessarily oversized, giving it an identity that’s refreshingly different from the increasingly rounded shapes favoured by many rivals.
Kia’s ‘Opposites United’ design philosophy continues to mature, and nowhere is that more obvious than here. The smooth digital tiger face, distinctive Star Map LED lighting and crisp geometric detailing create a futuristic appearance that’s modern without becoming gimmicky.
Unlike SUVs that sacrifice visibility and interior space for a more coupe-like roofline, the EV5 embraces its role as a practical family car. The tall glasshouse contributes to excellent outward visibility, while the bluff rear end hints at the generous boot hidden behind it.
GT-Line specification subtly sharpens the appearance with bespoke front and rear bumpers, gloss black exterior detailing and 19-inch alloy wheels. Thankfully, Kia hasn’t gone overboard with fake vents or oversized spoilers. It still looks purposeful rather than aggressive.
There’s also something reassuringly honest about the way the EV5 has been styled. It doesn’t pretend to be a sports SUV. Instead, it proudly embraces its role as a capable, practical family vehicle.
Interior
The dashboard follows the now familiar layout introduced on the EV9 and refined on the EV3, combining a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and a dedicated 5.3-inch climate display between them.
Importantly, Kia hasn’t fallen into the trap of burying every function inside the touchscreen.
There are still physical buttons for the climate controls, a proper rotary volume dial and touch-sensitive shortcut buttons providing immediate access to the home screen, navigation and media functions. It’s an arrangement that strikes an excellent balance between modern technology and everyday usability.
After spending time in several newer rivals that require multiple taps simply to adjust the cabin temperature, this approach feels wonderfully sensible.
The infotainment system itself is quick, responsive and logically arranged. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are fitted as standard, while Kia Connect services remain free for seven years. Over-the-air updates ensure the software can continue improving throughout the car’s life.
There is, however, one small frustration. The dedicated climate display sits low between the two larger screens and, depending on your driving position, part of it disappears behind the steering wheel rim. It’s hardly disastrous because the physical controls remain intuitive, but it does seem an odd ergonomic oversight in what is otherwise such a thoughtfully designed cabin.
The dashboard feels reassuringly solid, the switchgear operates with satisfying precision and the soft-touch materials in all the key areas create a genuinely premium atmosphere.
There is some scratchy plastic present – most notably in the floating central console between the two front seats. However, nothing feels flimsy or cheaply assembled, and even after only a short acquaintance you get the impression this is a cabin that will wear its years well.
GT-Line trim also brings attractive two-tone artificial leather upholstery, heated front and outer rear seats, electrically adjustable front seats, a heated steering wheel and customisable ambient lighting.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect, though, is simply how relaxing the cabin feels. Visibility is excellent, the driving position is commanding without feeling perched, and every control falls naturally to hand.
Space and practicality
The EV5 has clearly been designed with families in mind. Its dedicated electric platform allows the cabin to make exceptional use of the available footprint, resulting in rear accommodation that comfortably exceeds what many similarly sized SUVs can offer.
Legroom is generous, headroom is plentiful and the flat floor means even the middle passenger is spared the usual compromise imposed by a transmission tunnel. Adults will have little to complain about, while younger passengers benefit from large windows that help prevent the cabin from feeling claustrophobic.
Rear occupants are particularly well catered for in GT-Line trim, gaining their own climate controls mounted at the rear of the centre console, along with USB-C charging ports and useful storage compartments.
The boot offers an impressive 566 litres with all five seats in place, expanding to 1,650 litres when the rear seats are folded flat. The adjustable boot floor can be lowered to maximise capacity or raised to create a completely flat loading area, while a 44-litre ‘frunk’ provides somewhere convenient to store charging cables away from luggage.
The wide tailgate opening, low loading lip and almost square luggage compartment make loading bulky items straightforward, whether that’s a pushchair, holiday luggage or the inevitable collection of bags that accompanies a family weekend away.
Throughout the cabin there are thoughtful storage solutions too. The centre console alone offers over 16 litres of storage, while the sliding rear tray, large door bins and plentiful cubbies mean everyday clutter is easily kept under control.
Technology and safety
Kia has earned a reputation for equipping its cars generously, and the EV5 continues that tradition. Even the entry-level Air arrives with a level of standard equipment that would have been reserved for flagship models only a few years ago, while the GT-Line tested here strikes an excellent balance between luxury and sensible pricing.
The centrepiece is Kia’s Connected Car Navigation Cockpit, which seamlessly integrates the digital driver’s display, central infotainment screen and dedicated climate display into one continuous panel. The graphics are crisp, menus are logically arranged and the system responds quickly to inputs.
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, alongside seven years of Kia Connect services and over-the-air software updates.
Unlike many manufacturers that seem determined to replace every switch with another touchscreen menu, Kia has retained physical controls where they matter most which sounds like a small thing, but on a long journey it makes the whole car noticeably easier to live with.
There are a few clever touches, too. GT-Line models gain wireless smartphone charging, a power tailgate and Vehicle-to-Load functionality that allows the car’s battery to power external electrical equipment such as an electric BBQ, e-bikes or even a mobile disco . . .
Every EV5 comes equipped with Highway Driving Assist 2.0, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane following assist, forward collision avoidance with junction detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, intelligent speed limit assist and a reversing camera, alongside front and rear parking sensors.
Higher-spec GT-Line S models add features such as a surround-view camera system and remote smart parking, but the GT-Line already feels exceptionally well equipped.
Driving
The EV5 isn’t trying to be the sporting member of Kia’s electric family. If that’s what you’re looking for, the EV6 remains the driver’s choice.
Instead, the EV5 focuses on delivering exactly what most family SUV buyers actually want – comfort, refinement and confidence.
The official 0-62mph time of 8.4 seconds tells the story perfectly. It gathers speed confidently enough for motorway slip roads and overtaking slower traffic, but never encourages you to drive it like a hot hatch.
The EV5 feels happiest when driven smoothly, allowing its strengths to shine through. Refinement is impressive, with very little wind or tyre noise finding its way into the cabin, while the suspension does an excellent job of isolating occupants from the rougher surfaces that characterise so many British roads.
What impressed me most wasn’t any single dynamic attribute, but how cohesive the whole package feels.
The steering is light without feeling vague, body movements are well controlled and the suspension strikes a pleasing balance between comfort and composure. It never feels overtly sporty, but nor does it wallow or become unsettled over successive undulations.
That might sound like faint praise, but after driving a number of newer electric SUVs over the past year, it’s something I’ve come to appreciate.
Several of the latest Chinese-built rivals offer remarkable value and increasingly polished interiors. Some even boast longer equipment lists than the Kia. Yet a recurring theme has been that they don’t always feel as cohesive once you’re out on real roads. Steering can lack consistency, suspension tuning sometimes feels unfinished and the overall driving experience doesn’t quite come together as convincingly as the specification sheet suggests. The EV5 avoids that trap.
The driving position is excellent, visibility is superb thanks to the upright bodywork, and the controls all operate with reassuring consistency.
Regenerative braking is adjustable via the steering wheel paddles, allowing drivers to choose how much energy recovery they prefer, while Kia’s latest i-Pedal system enables smooth one-pedal driving when required.
Range and Charging
Every UK EV5 is powered by the same 81.4kWh battery, removing one of the usual dilemmas buyers face when choosing between trim levels. Whether you opt for the Air, GT-Line or GT-Line S, you receive the same long-range battery and core electric capability.
The GT-Line tested here offers an official WLTP range of 313 miles, with city driving extending that figure significantly under ideal conditions. As ever, real-world range will depend on weather, driving style and speed, but it’s comfortably competitive for this class and should leave most families charging only once or twice each week.
Connected to an 11kW home or workplace charger, a full recharge from 10 to 100 per cent takes around 7 hours 20 minutes, making overnight charging straightforward. On longer journeys, the EV5 supports DC rapid charging at up to 127kW, allowing a 10 to 80 per cent charge in approximately 30 minutes when connected to a suitably powerful charger.
Rivals
The family electric SUV market is becoming one of the most fiercely contested sectors in the industry.
Traditional rivals include the Skoda Enyaq, Volkswagen ID.4, Renault Scenic E-Tech and Peugeot E-3008, all of which offer strong combinations of practicality and efficiency.
Manufacturers such as BYD, Geely, Omoda and Chery continue to make huge strides, often undercutting established brands while offering generous equipment levels and increasingly sophisticated interiors. They’re impossible to ignore.
But neither is the Kia.
Where some rivals compete primarily on price, the EV5 succeeds by feeling thoroughly resolved. The ergonomics are better judged, the cabin quality feels consistently higher and the overall driving experience demonstrates the benefit of years of development.
Verdict
Buyers have never had more choice when shopping for an electric family SUV, and with that choice comes increasing pressure on established manufacturers to justify their prices.
The EV5 does exactly that. It combines handsome, distinctive styling with one of the most thoughtfully designed interiors in its class, wraps it all in impressive practicality and delivers the sort of everyday refinement that makes living with it genuinely enjoyable.
Yes, there are cheaper alternatives – some even come with longer equipment lists. But value has never been about ticking the most boxes. It’s about delivering a product that continues to satisfy long after the novelty of rotating touchscreens has worn off.
The EV5 feels reassuringly well engineered – assembled and designed by people who understand how families actually use their cars.
At a Glance
- Model: Kia EV5 GT-Line 81.4kWh FWD
- Price: £42,645 OTR
- Power: 214bhp
- Torque: 295Nm
- Battery: 81.4kWh
- Drive: Front-wheel drive
- 0-62mph: 8.4 seconds
- Top Speed: 102mph
- WLTP Range: 313 miles
- Charging: 11kW AC (7h 20m 10-100%) / Up to 127kW DC (10-80% in around 30 minutes)
- Boot Capacity: 566 litres (1,650 litres seats folded)
- Towing Capacity: 1,200kg (braked)
- Warranty: 7 years / 100,000 miles (8-year battery warranty)