Kia EV5 GT-Line 81.4kWh FWD Review

What Is the Kia EV5?

The EV5 occupies the middle position in Kia's electric SUV range, between the smaller EV3 and the larger EV9, and is sold in the UK alongside its combustion-engined counterpart, the Sportage. Butler-Henderson identifies the family resemblance as one of the car's strengths, with the boxy design language carried through from Kia's other electric models.

What makes the Kia EV5 stand out:

• Positioned between the smaller EV3 and larger EV9 within Kia's expanding electric SUV range
• Shares its body with the combustion-engined Sportage, built 1cm wider, 7cm longer and 3cm taller
• Vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability on the top two trims, powering kettles, coffee makers and power tools
• Google's 'Points of Interest' tour-guide feature built into the main touchscreen
• Kia's 'Hey Kia' AI voice assistant handles a range of functions, from pet mode to owner's manual queries
• One of the strongest warranties in the class, at 7 years or 100,000 miles

GT-Line standard equipment (from £42,645):

• 19" alloy wheels with GT-Line styling
• LED headlights with adaptive driving beam
• Electric driver's seat adjustment with memory function
• Electric driver's seat lumbar support
• Outer rear heated seats
• Smart power tailgate
• Wireless mobile phone charger
• Customisable ambient lighting
• Two-tone artificial leather upholstery
• Electric front passenger's seat adjustment

What Does the Kia EV5 Look Like?

The EV5 benefits from strong family styling, and Butler-Henderson is complimentary of the boxy design language it shares with the rest of Kia's electric range. Compared with the Sportage on which it is based, the EV5 is 1cm wider, 7cm longer and 3cm taller, bringing it closer in size to a Land Rover Discovery Sport.

• A wide nose and a bonnet that extends over the sides, paired with a bumper featuring active air flaps that open and close while driving to aid cooling and aerodynamics
• Square wings and chiselled wheel arches at each corner reinforce the modern look, with optional roof rails for extra luggage capacity
• Flush door handles extend automatically on approach and can be operated via phone or smartwatch on the top-spec model; functional, though not the most ergonomic in shape
• A wide, distinctive red LED lightbar at the rear, plus a roof spoiler that sweeps over the back window to aid aerodynamics
• A tailgate over a metre wide opens onto 566–1,650 litres of boot space, with a movable floor, adjustable hooks and storage trays
• Towing capacity of 1,200kg, in line with expectations for a front-wheel-drive electric SUV in this class
• Vehicle-to-load (V2L) on the top two trims lets owners power kettles, coffee makers and power tools via an exterior adaptor or the interior socket; the car retains a minimum 20% battery reserve at all times

How Does the Kia EV5 Drive?

Performance and Powertrain

A single battery size is offered across the EV5 range, at 81.4kWh, also shared with the smaller EV3 and EV4, where it delivers a longer range owing to their lighter weight. In the EV5, it provides up to 329 miles between charges, assuming restrained use of the car's 0-62mph capability.

Every EV5 shares the same platform as the rest of Kia's EV range, with power in this model sent to the front wheels. A more potent 4WD EV5 GT is due soon for buyers seeking a more spirited driving experience.

Drive Modes

Selecting Sport mode transforms the throttle response from languid to eager and sharpens the handling slightly. It does not deliver the engagement of a genuine sports car, but it does add a welcome degree of dynamism to the driving experience.

Handling and Braking

What the EV5 does deliver is ride quality that Butler-Henderson describes as exceptionally impressive, absorbing poor road surfaces with notable composure. The regenerative braking system is among the most intuitive currently available, controlled via both the brake pedal and steering wheel paddles; drivers can hold or pull either for one-pedal driving, or disengage regenerative braking entirely.

Regenerative braking has a limited effect on range; rapid charging is more effective, taking the EV5 from 10-80% in around half an hour.

What Is the Kia EV5 Interior Like?

Inside, the EV5 feels a size larger than its exterior dimensions suggest. The centre console dominates the cabin and houses considered storage solutions, including cup holders, phone chargers, a lidded box and space sufficient for a rucksack or bag, with further storage in each door.

Cabin and Controls

• Soft-touch panels trimmed with eco-friendly material, including the steering wheel, which could still be more tactile
• Generously proportioned seats, with touch-sensitive controls that can be triggered inadvertently when resting a wrist to reach the screen above
• A gear lever layout that Butler-Henderson finds counterintuitive: she would prefer Drive positioned closest to the driver and Reverse at the far end, rather than the EV5's current arrangement
• A 30-inch-wide main touchscreen, with at least 5 inches permanently dedicated to heating controls, avoiding the need to navigate sub-menus to adjust temperature

Technology and Infotainment

The touchscreen is, in Butler-Henderson's assessment, notably intuitive, allowing quick and easy navigation through vehicle settings, weather, sport updates and sufficient entertainment options, including YouTube, Netflix and games, to occupy passengers while parked. The EV5 is also one of a growing number of Kia models to feature Google's 'Points of Interest', which functions as a tour guide, providing opening times, parking information and customer reviews.

Pet mode is also included, and the car's 'Hey Kia' AI assistant can explain its function, in addition to answering questions from the owner's manual and assisting with travel planning. An extensive suite of safety systems is fitted, and these are more often heard than seen; the most divisive, lane-departure warning, can be disabled with a single press, though the setting resets at the start of each journey.

• Volume scrollers on both the dashboard and steering wheel
• Reversing camera and front parking sensors
• Over-the-air updates that remove the need for a dealership visit
• Self-parking operated from outside the car via key or phone app
• Heated front seats

Rear Seats and Practicality

The generous sense of space continues in the rear of this five-seater. Practical features include one-touch windows, an armrest with cup holders, a storage box, a sliding tray for extra surface space, and two USB-C ports, bringing the cabin total to four.

What Wheels and Tyres Does the Kia EV5 Have?

This GT-Line model rides on 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 235/55R19 tyres. Buyers opting for the entry-level trim can expect 18-inch wheels instead.

• 235/55R19: fitted as standard on GT-Line 19-inch alloy wheels
• 18-inch wheels available on entry-level trim

How Does the Kia EV5 Compare to Rivals?

Kia EV5 vs Volkswagen ID.4

The Volkswagen ID.4 is one of the EV5's most direct rivals, and an established, award-winning name in the electric family SUV class. Buyers wanting a more familiar badge and a slightly more premium-feeling cabin may lean toward the Volkswagen; those who prioritise interior space and a longer standard feature list, including V2L on higher trims, will find the Kia the more practical family choice.

Kia EV5 vs Volvo EX40

Volvo's EX40 brings a more overtly premium image and Volvo's traditional safety reputation to the class. It is the stronger choice for buyers who prioritise brand cachet and Scandinavian design; the EV5 counters with a larger boot, longer real-world range at this price point, and a notably longer warranty.

Is the Kia EV5 Worth Buying?

The Kia EV5 enters a market well populated with award-winning rivals, including the Volkswagen ID.4 and Volvo EX40. The EV5 performs well across the board: it is spacious, well equipped, rides impressively, and continues to offer one of the strongest manufacturer warranties available, at 7 years or 100,000 miles. It may not be the most engaging car to drive day-to-day, but it sits comfortably in the upper half of its class.

The case for the Kia EV5:

• Spacious cabin that feels a size larger than its footprint suggests
• Genuinely impressive ride quality
• V2L capability on higher trims turns the car into a portable power source
• Strong practicality: 566–1,650 litre boot, clever underfloor storage and a 1,200kg tow rating
• 7-year/100,000-mile warranty, among the best in the class

Before you buy:

• Steering wheel and touch-sensitive controls are less tactile than they could be
• Gear lever layout may take some getting used to
• 0-62mph in 8.4 seconds and a top speed of 102mph confirm that this is a family car first and foremost, rather than a performance model
• Sport mode adds a degree of spice but never delivers a genuinely immersive drive