We get behind the wheel of the KIA EV5, the electric "sibling" of the KIA Sportage, with up to 530 km of range

Not long now: at the end of the year, scheduled for October, the KIA EV5 will reach our market. We still need to find out its prices… and drive it. But from what we have seen after getting acquainted with the car at a first static presentation, we can say that we are looking at a car that will, no doubt, repeat in its category the success that the KIA EV3 is having among small electric SUVs. These are its calling cards.

E-GMP platform with 400V: fast charging and up to 530 km of range

The EV5 is built on the E-GMP architecture, the so-called Electric Global Modular Platform, with 400-volt technology, developed specifically for 100% electric vehicles. It is also used in the brand’s new electric saloon, the EV4, which in its most aerodynamic body version reaches up to 630 km of range. In this case, the propulsion system has an electric motor of 160 kW (218 CV) and 295 Nm of maximum torque, powered by an 81.4 kWh battery.

The maximum range announced on the WLTP cycle for the EV5 is up to 530 km for the entry version, and 505 km for the EV5 GT Line, which has 19-inch wheels instead of 18 and wider tyres. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is 8.4 seconds, the top speed is limited to 165 km/h, and a towing capacity of 1,200 kg is announced. With DC charging power of up to 150 kW, the EV5 can charge the battery from 10 to 80% in 30 minutes. The maximum AC charging power is 11 kW, and it features V2L bidirectional function, which allows powering electrical devices at up to 3.6 kW.

Sportage size: plenty of space and a large boot

If in our in-depth test of the EV3 we already verified that in range, space and comfort, the “little sibling” is also an excellent option for travelling, with a larger body and those more than 500 km of homologated range, the EV5 enhances these qualities as an electric vehicle that could be an all-round alternative to any segment C SUV, regardless of propulsion type.

The EV5, which by design one could describe as looking like a scaled-down EV9… or a scaled-up EV3, is similar in size to a KIA Sportage. It measures 4.61 metres in length, 1.87 metres in width and 1.67 metres in height, with a wheelbase of 2.75 metres. The interior space is magnificent in every dimension, with very comfortable rear seats, more so than in the EV4, which, because you sit higher, lower and with a high floor, forces your knees to be raised relative to your hips. And the boot capacity, with very usable shapes, reaches 566 litres -like a Sportage with a combustion engine-, expandable up to 1,650 litres with the rear seats folded. Under the front bonnet there is an additional 44-litre space.

The dashboard design repeats the layout we have already seen in the brand’s latest electric models: rather minimalist, with a floating console as an extension of the central armrest and the panoramic screen that combines the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, the multimedia system of the same size and, between them, a 5.3-inch screen for controlling the climate system, although KIA keeps physical controls for the main functions. The truth is that as soon as you sit at the wheel or in one of the passenger seats, the EV5 conveys a very welcoming feeling. Some notable details are the Digital Key 2.0 with fingerprint recognition, a new premium audio system by Harman Kardon, and an optimised version of the speed limit recognition system.

KIA EV5 – Image gallery