First Drive: Can the Kia EV5 crack the electric SUV segment?

What is it?

Kia has one of the most expansive electric vehicle line-ups of any manufacturer. From its stylish EV6 to its huge EV9 SUV, this Korean firm has established a firm foothold in the EV segment thanks to these models, which all bring a great deal of user-friendliness alongside plenty of equipment for the money.

It was only a matter of time before Kia plugged the gap between its compact EV3 and its larger models. As a result, we have this – the EV5 – which enters into a competitive segment to take on the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Volkswagen ID.5 in the family-friendly market. Let’s see how it gets on.

What’s new?

The EV5 sits within the compact SUV segment and is billed as an electric alternative to the brand’s Sportage. That combustion-engined model is one of Kia’s most popular and regularly enters into the monthly list of best-selling cars, so some learnings from that car will have been transferred to the EV5 – or that’s the theory, at least.

The EV5 is underpinned by the brand’s E-GMP platform, which is a dedicated electric-first setup designed to offer plenty of interior space and practicality as well as a very usable amount of range.

What’s under the bonnet?

At present, there’s just a single electric motor and battery setup available with the EV5. It brings a front-mounted electric motor with 214bhp, linked to an 81.4kWh battery for a claimed range of up to 329 miles, though this depends on specification. Our range-topping GT-Line S car, for instance, has a claimed range of 313 miles as a result of its greater equipment levels and efficiency-reducing large alloy wheels.

The EV5 is accompanied by a maximum charging rate of up to 127kW, too, which is about par for the course in this segment. It’ll mean a 10 to 80 per cent charge should take around 30 minutes.

What’s it like to drive?

Kia’s electric vehicles have always done well in terms of how intuitive they are to drive and the EV5 is an extension of this. You sit high, of course, so you get a good view of the road ahead, while rearward visibility is great thanks to a large rear screen. Plus, you get a rear window wiper, which is becoming a rarity in the EV segment.

You do get a slightly firmer ride on the GT-Line S models with their larger wheels, but in all other areas the EV5 feels geared towards comfort. It does feel like quite a wide car, mind you, but fortunately, the proportions are nice and square, so it doesn’t feel too cumbersome to park or position overall.

How does it look?

It would be nice if Kia added a few more stand-out exterior colours, though. Aside from an eye-catching ‘Magma Red’, it’s all a range of rather subdued greys, silvers and blacks.

What’s it like inside?

There’s some top-notch build quality to experience inside the EV5. Everything has a nice rugged feeling to it and though some materials may feel a little cheap in places, it’s an overarchingly good place to be. The front seats are comfortable and well-padded, while those in the back are treated to a great level of legroom and headroom, too. Handy USB-C charging ports located into the backs of the front seat are a neat touch, too.

You’ve also got 566 litres of boot space to play with, though the boot area is rather shallow. That said, there’s no load lip to contend with whatsoever. Plus, a handy 44-litre ‘frunk’ is also available to help with charging cable storage, though you could also keep them underneath the boot’s false floor should you need to.

What’s the spec like?

Kia has always priced its cars competitively and though things have crept up in recent times, there’s still a value focus to the EV5 – depending on which specification you go for. Entry-level ‘Air’ models start from £39,345, but still get features such as 18-inch wheels, heated front seats and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with a driver’s display of the same size.

Though range-topping GT-Line S cars like our test car get 19-inch alloys, ‘premium relaxation seats’ and an upgraded Harmon Kardon sound system, its £47,145 price tag feels a little steep.

Verdict

The Kia EV5 feels like the kind of electric vehicle that could easily tempt someone away from a typical petrol or diesel SUV. It has a decent range, brings plenty of equipment and feels intuitive to use, while Kia’s seven-year warranty helps to add some extra confidence to the package.

While higher-spec models feel a little expensive, stick to lower trim levels and it feels like the EV5 could be the ideal family-focused electric SUV.