Kia’s current crop of EVs are among the best in the business, so does the electric equivalent of the Sportage measure up?
I confess, my first experience with the Kia EV5 in late 2025 left me a little non-plussed.
I was neither overwhelmed nor under-whelmed by the all-electric equivalent to the best-selling Sportage.
The problem, I think, was that having been blown away by the brilliance of Kia’s other electric models, the EV5’s basic competence felt like it was merely keeping pace with rivals rather than oustripping them like the EV3 or EV9.
That was on the basis of a few hours at the wheel, so with a week to make more of an impression can the Kia EV5 win me over?
Design, interior and technology
When it was delivered, one of my kids announced “Dad, there’s an EV9 outside” which shows two things. Firstly, my kids need to get out more, and secondly, that Kia has very much gone for a common family look with its SUVs.
Seen from a distance, you could easily mistake the EV5 for an EV9. It has the same tall, square overall shape, the same bluff front end with its slimline LED lights, the same black arch cladding and the same upward tick in the rear glass. Like the EV9, all that gives the EV5 a handsome presence on the road that’s at odds with the soft, soapbar look of some rivals.
While the EV9 is a massive 5m seven-seater, the EV5 is a slightly more manageable 4.61m long and only comes as a five-seater. Of course, being an electric car, the EV5 has a generous 2.75m wheelbase, which means there’s masses of space inside. Rear legroom and headroom are generous, and in this GT-Line spec passengers get the added comfort of a dedicated climate control zone and heated outer seats. The only frustration is the stingy middle seat, which has been made awkwardly narrow to give more space to the outer two. Five could travel in the EV5 but only four would be comfortable.
Around the cabin are little touches to make the EV5 more family friendly, from the slide-out rear tray/drawer in the centre console to the massive two-level storage space in the front, generous door pockets, lots of USB ports, and the traditional curry hook on the lower dashboard. On the luggage front, there’s a healthy 566-litre boot with two-level floor, plus a 44-litre frunk for cables etc.
The EV5’s interior layout follows a similarly straightforward approach as other Kias. Angular lines on the dashboard echo exterior details and bring some visual interest, but the basic arrangement is designed for ease of use. There are plenty of physical controls on the dashboard and steering wheel for frequently used functions. Unlike various Chinese rivals, the 12.3-inch infotainment is there for information and entertainment, not to control every element of the car. The system itself is clear and responsive enough, with a logical layout and most of the functions any driver will actually use.
Under the screen are a row of haptic shortcut buttons for the infotainment system. When I first drove the EV5 I wasn’t convinced about their practicality and after a week at the wheel, I’m even less keen. They’re not particularly responsive, yet are somehow also still too easy to activate if you rest your wrist on the dash when using the touchscreen.
My only other complaint about the EV5’s interior is that it’s a bit drab. Like Toyotas, there’s lots of grey and black plastics and not much colour at all. But also like Toyota, everything feels made to last two lifetimes, with impeccable build quality across every surface and touchpoint.
Battery, motor and driving
Unlike other Kia models, the EV5 gets just one powertrain option. It’s a 214bhp front-mounted motor paired with an 81kWh battery.
The motor power is pretty standard for this class, but the battery is towards the larger end. In its most efficient guise, the Kia EV5 will cover 329 miles on a single charge. In my GT-Line spec car on 19-inch wheels, that drops to 313 miles.
I used the EV5 for a week of varied family duties and the range and efficiency (3.2m/kWh real-world) never felt like a problem. Even on longer trips, 300 miles is more than enough between stops. That being said, rivals from Skoda, Citroen, Renault and Tesla all offer north of 360 miles.
Charging is taken care of at up to 127kW, which is better than most Chinese alternatives but behind the likes of Skoda or Tesla.
As mentioned, 214bhp is unremarkable power for the class but the EV5’s motor has been calibrated to deliver strong low- and mid-range punch. It doesn’t quite have the verve of an Enyaq or the ridiculous BYD Atto 3 Evo, but is sufficiently quick for a large family SUV and feels quicker than its on-paper stats suggest.
Decent pace is backed up with decent stopping power. The EV5 features four-stage braking regeneration and the smart i-pedal mode. This delivers a full single-pedal function across multiple levels of braking power, not just on the strongest setting as with previous Kias.
Equally importantly, the EV5 drives well. The ride is sometimes a little stiff on broken urban surfaces but it smooths out most of the big nasties and copes well on faster roads. It also feels settled in a similar way to the Enyaq or a Ford Explorer, with a more connected drive than some cheaper alternatives. It does still feel like a large SUV and there’s a little bit of roll, but there’s a decent balance and feel to the controls.
Price and specification
Long gone are the days when Kias undercut rivals by thousands of pounds. The Korean brand is now a major mainstream operator and its prices reflect that.
The EV5 range starts at £39,435 for the Air trim. Even this is still pretty well equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear glass, heated front seats and steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, and the three-screen dashboard array.
Mid-level spec and likely to be the long-term best-seller, is the GT-Line, priced from £42,645. This adds 19-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, heated rear seats, a powered tailgate and a three-pin power outlet in the boot. However, if you want a 360-degree camera, head-up display or Harman Kardon stereo you’ll need to step up to the £47,000 GT-Line S.
Verdict
After a week with the Kia EV5 I’m more enamoured than I was on first acquaintance, but I’m still not blown away.
Kia’s recent EV range has been on a tear, setting new standards across multiple segments and, in that light, the EV5 feels a little left out. It simply isn’t as envelope-pushing as its siblings.
From range and handling to power and practicality, it’s on a par with most of its main rivals, but doesn’t stand out from them like an EV3 or EV6 does.
Nonetheless, it’s a solid option for those seeking an electric family SUV from a dependable proven brand.
300+ miles of range is plenty, the driving experience is reassuring and there’s more than enough space for a family of four, plus a strong level of equipment.
It might not wow buyers, but nor will it leave them disappointed.
Kia EV5 GT-Line
- Price: £42,645 (£43,320 as tested)
- Powertrain: Single-motor, front-wheel-drive
- Battery: 81.4kWh
- Power: 214bhp
- Torque: 218lb ft
- Top speed: 102mph
- 0-62mph: 8.4seconds
- Range: 313 miles
- Consumption: 3.5m/kWh
- Charging: up to 127kW
Kia EV5 rivals
- Tesla Model Y – You can’t talk about C-segment SUVs without mentioning the Y. Strong performance and range are offset by a soulless interior and driving experience
- Skoda Enyaq – Arguably more stylish and with a broader range of options, including more powerful and longer-range models
- Leapmotor C10 – More space and equipment for a chunk less money. Let down by miserable interior and disappointing range
